Stardew Valley 2 Considered, But Easier to Expand Original Game

Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the mastermind behind the beloved Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of creating a sequel, tentatively named Stardew Valley 2. In an engaging conversation with TigerBelly, Barone shared his thoughts on the matter, tempering fans' excitement by noting the complexities involved in starting from scratch versus expanding the existing game.

"It's so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch," Barone explained. He elaborated on the challenges, stating, "It's all the systems — all the major systems — are already all done. That’s the stuff that’s not fun to do. When I make an update [for Stardew Valley now], it’s like, you know, oh, throw in this, throw in that. Let’s add green rain — like, these random, whimsical ideas."

Despite these challenges, Barone didn't completely rule out the idea of a sequel, admitting, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest." This statement, while hopeful, comes with the acknowledgment that his current focus is on another project, Haunted Chocolatier, which he is developing to surpass the success of Stardew Valley. Barone cautioned fans not to expect a release date for Haunted Chocolatier soon, as there is "still a lot to be done."

Barone also expressed his desire to not be solely known as "the Stardew Valley guy," which is driving his passion for Haunted Chocolatier. His commitment to excellence is clear, as he believes the new game "has got to be better" than Stardew Valley.

Stardew Valley has received widespread acclaim since its release. Our original Stardew Valley review in 2016 awarded it an impressive 8.8, labeling it "Great." However, upon revisiting the game in 2024, we upgraded our assessment to a perfect 10/10, declaring it a "masterpiece." We noted, "Stardew Valley is not only the best farming game I’ve played, it is one of my favorite games of all time. That myself and others keep returning to this eight-year old gem each time it gets even the smallest update speaks to how it’s truly a masterpiece in the genre it both reinvigorated and has come to define."

For those looking to dive into or deepen their experience with Stardew Valley, our fully updated Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide for the 2024 1.6 update is a must-read. This update introduced new crops, fish, and engaging features like the Raccoon Family Quests, which unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. Veteran players aiming to further their skills can benefit from our Mastery Points guide, while those exploring Ginger Island can use our guide to locate all the Golden Walnuts.