This is the HARDEST achievement for me. (for real)

[May]

My game time counts up to three digits.
I've beaten TWO full completion runs.

But this one achievement, I still couldn't get.
It's just one thing I cannot get.

Guh, I have the money, I have ALL the resources.
But I cannot get that pesky little <Joja membership>.

Everytime I see that 99% achievement progress, I let out a sigh.

'...But what about the heart of the community?'

I just wanted to express my feelings for once.
Can someone pat me on the back please?

[Queen Droxxanna]

Messaggio originale di Gold Dragon:

Messaggio originale di Aluvard:

Joja is corporate route. In every other game it would be logical choice but here... it kinda doesn't fit the overall spirit of the game.

Especially when you remember you left a Salary-wage Desk job IN Joja for a Farm in Pelican Town.....

ya thats why I would avoid it too. No one wants to be just a cog in the wheel.
Wait, I think I started the Joja route once, and the community center gets turned into a warehouse. - yuck. I deleted the file.
So tell us Snowy, why you like it now -- why should I give it a full run??
Is there something I dont know about that happens later when you go that route?? How does it effect the rest of the town's people???

[ChrillBill]

My favourite route is and will always be the Community Center. But with that said, the Joja route really isn't as evil as many people make it out to be. Overall, things will remain the same with a few changes here and there. When I first embarked on the route I expected a more darker vibe given how people in the community described it. But I quickly realised people greatly exaggerated when describing how the valley would be "doomed" if you went with Joja. It wasn't like that at all. A different vibe for sure, but nothing extreme.

The great thing about these type of games is the roleplay aspect. It might be limited in Stardew Valley compared to other games, but it is still there. I am proud to admit that every character that I have created on my 20+ playthroughs has had a full backstory, their own set of goals and personality. I have done the Joja route 2 times, so far. First in vanilla, and once with mods. Even though I don't find it as satisfying as the CC route, it actually did fit the characters I had created for those runs. So, yeah

Another thing I would like to mention is the state Pelican Town is in. When you arrive there are obvious signs of neglect and... Questionable things like Lewis' endless supply of Golden Statues depicting none other than himself... Plus, you would think even a small town like Pelican Town should have enough funds for plumbing but oh no, the only toilets available are all the way up at the run down spa/gym. So, is Joja really the worst thing that could happen? Personally I don't think so. It's just up to the player to decide which way forward is best. But I get if one doesn't want to support them in any way.

After all, they are supposed to reflect many modern companies where people essentially stress and work their butt off just to survive financially. Life is about more than just money, I think that is one of the messages in this game. Still, there are always two sides to every coin and in the case of Pelican Town it was hardly perfect before Joja turned up. Many people likes to throw in the argument that if you are to support Joja you could have just stayed at your old job (which shows in the beginning). This doesn't quite hold up though. You can and will after all remain a successful farmer even if you went with the Joja route.

Oh dear, didn't mean for this post to be this long. Just my bag of cents

[Sstavix]

I tend to approach Stardew Valley much like a role-playing game. I really get into the minds of the characters I create.

So, for the Joja route, I created a character named "JojaFan." His purpose was to move to the valley and focus on demonstrating that Joja was not a soulless corporate entity, and really does care about the small communities that they are a part of. He used the money that he earned from the farm - using high-quality Joja products, of course - to put back into Pelican Town.

I had it as a multiplayer game as well so all my kids could get the achievement, too. After it popped we never played that world again. Collecting items for the community center is more entertaining and challenging.

[May]

Messaggio originale di ChrillBill:

My favourite route is and will always be the Community Center. But with that said, the Joja route really isn't as evil as many people make it out to be. Overall, things will remain the same with a few changes here and there. When I first embarked on the route I expected a more darker vibe given how people in the community described it. But I quickly realised people greatly exaggerated when describing how the valley would be "doomed" if you went with Joja. It wasn't like that at all. A different vibe for sure, but nothing extreme.

The great thing about these type of games is the roleplay aspect. It might be limited in Stardew Valley compared to other games, but it is still there. I am proud to admit that every character that I have created on my 20+ playthroughs has had a full backstory, their own set of goals and personality. I have done the Joja route 2 times, so far. First in vanilla, and once with mods. Even though I don't find it as satisfying as the CC route, it actually did fit the characters I had created for those runs. So, yeah

Another thing I would like to mention is the state Pelican Town is in. When you arrive there are obvious signs of neglect and... Questionable things like Lewis' endless supply of Golden Statues depicting none other than himself... Plus, you would think even a small town like Pelican Town should have enough funds for plumbing but oh no, the only toilets available are all the way up at the run down spa/gym. So, is Joja really the worst thing that could happen? Personally I don't think so. It's just up to the player to decide which way forward is best. But I get if one doesn't want to support them in any way.

After all, they are supposed to reflect many modern companies where people essentially stress and work their butt off just to survive financially. Life is about more than just money, I think that is one of the messages in this game. Still, there are always two sides to every coin and in the case of Pelican Town it was hardly perfect before Joja turned up. Many people likes to throw in the argument that if you are to support Joja you could have just stayed at your old job (which shows in the beginning). This doesn't quite hold up though. You can and will after all remain a successful farmer even if you went with the Joja route.

Oh dear, didn't mean for this post to be this long. Just my bag of cents :staxelCow:

Those are actually really good points.

Though, as for me, I believe that "corruption" and shady sides can exist in anyone. And although figures like Louis and Pierre have somewhat dark sides and selfishness, it makes them seen as much more human than a cardboard cutout.

I see Community Center route is more of an redemption arc that we, as a player lead Stardew Valley Town into. It just shows that you can embrace the whole town as your family, no matter some parts are corrupted or not.

Tbh, in South Korea there are SO many country side villages that are super corrupted, asking new, young villagers to work as free labor for town harvests and shunning them when they disobey orders, or straight up sexually assault them(especially village chieves that have the power of kings in small villages like that). Compared to that, SV is very caring and lovable.

That said, I just couldn't take Joja as family, although as much as I want 100% achievement unlocked.

So yeah, I think it comes to personal views and choices.

[May]

Messaggio originale di Sstavix:

I tend to approach Stardew Valley much like a role-playing game. I really get into the minds of the characters I create.

So, for the Joja route, I created a character named "JojaFan." His purpose was to move to the valley and focus on demonstrating that Joja was not a soulless corporate entity, and really does care about the small communities that they are a part of. He used the money that he earned from the farm - using high-quality Joja products, of course - to put back into Pelican Town.

I had it as a multiplayer game as well so all my kids could get the achievement, too. :happy_creep: After it popped we never played that world again. Collecting items for the community center is more entertaining and challenging.

That sounds super fun XD
You sound like a cool, fun dad

[ChrillBill]

Well, yeah - everyone definitely has "darkness" in them. The whole notion that people are either good or evil is naive at best. It has never been that simple, nor will it ever be. This shows pretty well in the game as well when examining Pierre and Morris for example.

As an analyst by nature, I can't help to absorb details even when I don't want to :P And efter all the playthroughs, and the same dialogue repeating over and over - there is no doubt in my mind that Pierre and Morris are essentially cut from the same cloth and that this was somehow done on purpose to maybe show how power can corrupt and how the lack of it (or at least too much of it) can work in someones favor by keeping them from becoming a less attractive version of themselves. This is happening all the time, everywhere.

The main difference between Pierre and Morris is they have different amount of power at their disposal. This often leads people to sympathize more with the one who has less influence and power (Pierre). But in reality, he is just as greedy and scheming as the one with lots of power (Morris) which in turn doesn't really make him any better but his situation if forcing him to stay humble (even though he tries to trick the farmer),

Lewis strikes me as one who refuses to leave and let someone else take over, and possibly make things better. He has some odd priorities, like mentioned in my earlier post, but probably enjoys having and being in power.

[May]

Messaggio originale di ChrillBill:

Lewis strikes me as one who refuses to leave and let someone else take over, and possibly make things better. He has some odd priorities, like mentioned in my earlier post, but probably enjoys having and being in power.

Hey, that's rude!

Just kidding. I always mimic terrible Italian accents whenever his dialogue pops up.
Thankfully, the game provides quite a lot of options to make fun of him for being what he is.

For me he's not a bad person, he's a caring person of power hunger issues.

As for Morris, if the vanilla game had more options of interacting Morris as a genuine NPC and have him show at least compassion of his actions, I think it would have made the Joja route an ok choice for once. I do not like Pierre that much as a person, but hey, at least you can shoot him with iridium ores.

[ChrillBill]

I brought up Pierre and Morris because people likes to paint them as Hero (Pierre) and Villain (Morris). My opinion is that none of them should have the amount of power and influence that one of them already has, because they will both use it for their own selfish needs and benefits. Power corrupts, someone once said, and it's true. But it also happens for several reasons, because not everyone are suitable for the power and responsibility given to them. But ah, I will stay clear from the psychological field as that would probably be a bit overkill for this thread. Just wanted to share my thoughts on the subject ^.^

Don't feel bad for not wanting to go the Joja route. But also know, it isn't as evil as many make it out to be nor is it a reflection on your values if you decide to try it!

[Phillip]

Well it's my only achievement left and I'm about to do it with a different character. There is a way to speedrun it in about an hour (sleep to Winter and hoe all the sand at the beach to collect the forage & sell them), but I think I'm just going to fish instead. I saw in a YT video that it's possible to finish it before the end of Spring just by fishing.

[Snowy Sprout]

Messaggio originale di Queen Droxxanna:

So tell us Snowy, why you like it now -- why should I give it a full run??
Is there something I dont know about that happens later when you go that route?? How does it effect the rest of the town's people???

I wouldn't say you need to do Joja if you don't want to.
There are some good things to be said for it though, besides just being much faster and easier.
1. Prices at Jojamart become the same as at Pierre's, except sunflowers are much cheaper. The HUGE benefit here is that Joja is open until 11pm, 7 days a week!
2. Nothing bad happens to anyone in town. Nobody goes out of business, and aside from one day of moaning you never hear about it again.
3. Sam and Shane get to keep their jobs.
4. Pam and Jodi get to keep the freedom to choose where they shop.
5. Clint will never start taking Fridays off to go stare at the boiler room.
6. The Movie Theater can still be built, and it looks especially lovely in the park.
7. You can still hire Junimos on your farm, as long as you saw the Wizard's Spooky Drink scene to learn their language.
8. There is no equivalent to the Bulletin Board Bundle, which normally grants you two friendship hearts with everyone in town. You don't lose anything, you just don't gain that bonus.
9. You get to buy auto-petters any time you want.
10. Everything else about the game stays exactly the same. Nobody changes their routines to start going to the Community Center sometimes. All other scenes play out as they otherwise would.
11. You get a Joja Soda Machine! This gives you one free soda daily, which gives you a short speed boost in game! Or you can sell them for 25g. (If you get the CC Trophy, it just sits there and gives you nothing.)

For me, these benefits are so much better that I am not even tempted to go the CC route any more, unless required for some reason by a challenge.

[Queen Droxxanna]

thank you Snowy for all those details! I may give it a try after all.

[xicewindex]

I am not a fan for the Joja route because it feels so mechanical. Spend gold and....... well thats it.
With mods you can make a Joja save more engaging.

Stardew Valley expanded adds a more 'human' Morris you can befriend and in his heart events you learn his story and what's behind his decisions.

[Falmingkitter]

Messaggio originale di Coffee Addict:

make a new save
get the joja membership
use cheats mod to finish the joja route asap
get achievement
delete save

If you're going to cheat in a saved game you might as well boot up SAM since apparently that's not against the rules anymore

[Queen Droxxanna]

lol, ya I use a lot of mods, but I like the feel of getting the achievements in the community center.
"boot up SAM"?? not sure what you mean.

[ChrillBill]

Messaggio originale di Queen Droxxanna:

"boot up SAM"?? not sure what you mean.

If you don't know what SAM is, it stands for Steam Achievement Manager and it is a third party tool used to either unlock or reset steam achievements. It has never to my knowledge been forbidden since there is nothing but a sense of personal accomplishment to gain from achievements. It is also commonly used to unlock broken achievements.