Why do people play this game?

[lIIllllIlIIIIIlI]

I've tried twice to get into it, but it's just... you grow turnips? Hit things with a sword in the cave? What am I supposed to be doing?

[Redwood]

I love being a farmer and a miner. Finding treasures from the good earth.

[Moxley]

Private profile. Obvious bait is obvious.

[Hiroko]

Originally posted by Fleshy Bits:

Private profile. Obvious bait is obvious.

Obv bait post, but the only people who care about profiles being private are the ones you wouldn't want to have access.

[Jouchebag]

Originally posted by Fleshy Bits:

Private profile. Obvious bait is obvious.

Private profile is meaningless and the topic isn't necessarily bait. In fact, if you review OP's post history a bit you'll see an interest in some pretty old school games and Stardew is definitely retro.

I started this particular genre with Harvest Moon 64 when I was like 10 years old so I've grown a love for these kinds of peaceful slice of farm life games but I can totally understand being confused as to what the overwhelming love for Stardew Valley is for. It can appear to be slow-paced, simplistic and even childish.

I think I can best align the love of this genre with "just one more turn" games from the strategy genre. You keep saying "just one more turn" while playing Civilzation or "just one more day" in Stardew Valley and then it's 2am and you haven't eaten since lunch and you got work in 6 hours.

[DasaKamov]

Originally posted by lIIllllIlIIIIIlI:

What am I supposed to be doing?

Er, why did you buy the game in the first place? Find what appealed to you in the first place, and do that.

(Also, in the future, try not to be so reductive - you know as well as everyone else that there are hundreds of crops, to grow, animals to raise, items to craft, artifacts to find, dungeon levels to explore and townsfolk to form relationships with.)

[Mirai]

There's a long, detailed answer I could give to this question.

But the short answer is, it has a lot to do with it's casual, steady "small reward" based game-play and it appeals to people who are looking for something that isn't twitch-based or combat based.

Plus the game is dripping with character and the love the dev had for it while he made it is obvious. It's the kind of game that if you played Harvest Moon and enjoyed it, this is that but much better.

[Hina]

To me, Stardew is very relaxing and while I've been feeling a bit of a burn out with it for awhile now, I still love it. Stardew is relaxing and chill, you can make your own goals and play the game however you want. But it's not for everyone because a lot of people who say they can't get into Stardew Valley are probably used to games with more clear instructions.

[Nakos]

Because it's fun.

It's a game about leaving behind the (so called) "rat race" and returning to a small town, where you make a living from the earth using your hands and participate in the local community. Where the changing rhythm of the seasons runs through everything you do.

But it's a game, it's not going to be fun for everyone.

[GroovyHobo]

Originally posted by Nakos:

Because it's fun.

It's a game about leaving behind the (so called) "rat race" and returning to a small town, where you make a living from the earth using your hands and participate in the local community. Where the changing rhythm of the seasons runs through everything you do.

But it's a game, it's not going to be fun for everyone.

It's fun for 98% of people on the steam reviews. 98% positive reviews out of hundred of thousands of reviews.

[ChrillBill]

Originally posted by GroovyBum:

Originally posted by Nakos:

Because it's fun.

It's a game about leaving behind the (so called) "rat race" and returning to a small town, where you make a living from the earth using your hands and participate in the local community. Where the changing rhythm of the seasons runs through everything you do.

But it's a game, it's not going to be fun for everyone.

It's fun for 98% of people on the steam reviews. 98% positive reviews out of hundred of thousands of reviews.

And that's only on steam. The game is available on console as well. For me it is no wonder it has become such a major hit. But it's certainly not for everyone. Nothing is. Except snacks

[GroovyHobo]

Originally posted by ChrillBill:

Originally posted by GroovyBum:

It's fun for 98% of people on the steam reviews. 98% positive reviews out of hundred of thousands of reviews.

And that's only on steam. The game is available on console as well. For me it is no wonder it has become such a major hit. But it's certainly not for everyone. Nothing is. Except snacks :brownchicken:

I wouldn't be surprised if console versions were slightly lower scored due to lacking mods. For me mods really makes this game shine. I use NPC locations mod and time control mod and it really does make this game better. I can't imagine playing it at default and running all over and looking for NPCs or having days end way too fast. I'm sure it's still highly scored on consoles too as well though.

[ChrillBill]

Originally posted by GroovyBum:

Originally posted by ChrillBill:

And that's only on steam. The game is available on console as well. For me it is no wonder it has become such a major hit. But it's certainly not for everyone. Nothing is. Except snacks

I wouldn't be surprised if console versions were slightly lower scored due to lacking mods. For me mods really makes this game shine. I use NPC locations mod and time control mod and it really does make this game better. I can't imagine playing it at default and running all over and looking for NPCs or having days end way too fast. I'm sure it's still highly scored on consoles too as well though.

It's quite common I think that PC games with fabulous mods ported to console receives a lower score due to the lack of mods yes. I love the vanilla version of the game, but I am not gonna pretend that mods hasn't affected my view of the game (for the better, of course) :> The one you mention (about the npcs) for example is considered one of the most popular quality of life mods and I certainly see why. But overall from what I have seen, SV has received a very good scoring on console as well. It's a masterpiece!

[wilky]

Originally posted by GroovyBum:

Originally posted by ChrillBill:

And that's only on steam. The game is available on console as well. For me it is no wonder it has become such a major hit. But it's certainly not for everyone. Nothing is. Except snacks

I wouldn't be surprised if console versions were slightly lower scored due to lacking mods. For me mods really makes this game shine. I use NPC locations mod and time control mod and it really does make this game better. I can't imagine playing it at default and running all over and looking for NPCs or having days end way too fast. I'm sure it's still highly scored on consoles too as well though.

My first playthrough (back in like 2018) I played without mods because I didn't know any better, and it was fine.

My second playthrough (patch 1.4) I played with some QOL mods, and at that time I would have agreed with what you said.

My third playthrough now (1.5), I actually just went back to the vanilla Stardew (now post-Ginger Island etc.) and I feel it's fine again. I'm actually a little surprised at how I sort of but don't really miss the mods. Like I think it's a testament to how great the game already is. But yeah, being able to customize the experience to one's preferences always helps to extend a game's replayability.

[Nakos]

Originally posted by GroovyBum:

It's fun for 98% of people on the steam reviews. 98% positive reviews out of hundred of thousands of reviews.

Well, yeah, I'm not disagreeing. But there are people like the OP who don't get it.

For whom (apparently) the game is not fun.

[Like Button]

I didnt get this game at first either and put it off for a couple years, recently tried to get back into it and now i cant put it down. Just follow the quests, finish the Community center and have the Wiki on bookmark