What you need to know
- Stardew Valley is a complex farming simulation RPG.
- The game just received its biggest update ever.
- The update is currently only available on PC; it will release on consoles early next year.
The complex farming simulation RPG Stardew Valley has just gotten even deeper thanks to a massive patch released ahead of its fifth anniversary. The 1.5 update adds an entirely new endgame region called Ginger Island, which is part of the Fern Islands. The zone features a quest line involving multiple NPCs, a volcano dungeon that changes every time you visit it, and a resort you can unlock that will let villagers visit the island in their new beach attire.
The update also adds a host of new crops, farm animals, monsters, craftable items, food, fertilizers, fishing tackle, rings, hats, shoes, and more. The game also has 15 new hairstyles, more weapons, and new fish. It's going to take a huge amount of playing to encounter all the new content. If you want to do it with friends, you can now play in local split-screen mode on multiplayer and various multiplayer bugs have been fixed.
While Stardew Valley is one of the best strategy and simulation games on Xbox One, this update isn't available there yet. Developer Eric Barone said it will hit consoles in early 2021 and mobile devices sometime after that. This update provides a great time to get into the game, and if you want to try it be sure to check out our Stardew Valley beginner's guide.
Grow your farm
Starting with hand-me-down tools and a rundown plot, you'll build a thriving farm by upgrading your equipment, making friends with your neighbors, fishing, and exploring.
