User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1599 Ratings

User score distribution:

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  1. Feb 20, 2017
    10
    I have definitely played enough to tell this is a beautifully crafted, fun, addictive game that checks all kinds of boxes for nostalgia, entertainment, and one more turn (or day). It has a lot in common with Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, and borrows small amounts from Terraria, Minecraft, and Don't Starve, but perfects the formula by taking exactly what it needs from those franchisesI have definitely played enough to tell this is a beautifully crafted, fun, addictive game that checks all kinds of boxes for nostalgia, entertainment, and one more turn (or day). It has a lot in common with Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, and borrows small amounts from Terraria, Minecraft, and Don't Starve, but perfects the formula by taking exactly what it needs from those franchises and focuses on the farming, gathering, crafting, and relationship sim.

    This game will have INCREDIBLY long legs and be played by many people for many years. It has a vibrant community and a lot of depth and challenge for people wanting to do everything. Me, my wife, and my daughter all love this game!
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  2. Mar 28, 2016
    10
    Perfect game, only wish the controller support was actually designed properly, often you find yourself swinging at the air and watering the wrong crops, but hey, once your farm is automated it doesn't hold you back from everything else. Spent the entire first year being an antisocial farming god and now completing the Community Center. Looking forward to some DLC ! Fingers crossed!
  3. Mar 16, 2016
    10
    This is my favourite game in the last 10 years. So far the Dev released 6 patches (in 3 weeks) and the game itself is marvellous and reminiscent of old times when games were created to be fun, not to make the most amount of money. A very nostalgic experience with all the touches of life-improvement modern features. Amazing.
  4. Mar 19, 2016
    10
    Picked this up after seeing several friends playing it, and the only 'complaint' I could come up with would be "Now I want to buy a farm in a bad way." Game is seriously just a ton of fun... well worth what it's selling for.
  5. Apr 17, 2016
    10
    I was pleasantly surprised by this game, having never played something even remotely similar I was a little skeptical when I bought it, but I am so glad I did. The graphics are lovely and charming and really sets the tone for the game, and the game play while relatively simple has yet to become boring and lack luster. But what really made me love this game was how quickly I came attachedI was pleasantly surprised by this game, having never played something even remotely similar I was a little skeptical when I bought it, but I am so glad I did. The graphics are lovely and charming and really sets the tone for the game, and the game play while relatively simple has yet to become boring and lack luster. But what really made me love this game was how quickly I came attached to the characters, the town, etc. Starting off as the new guy in town and slowly integrating yourself into the community has been something that I have found so rewarding. If you are even remotely interested in this game, please give it a try, an easy 10 and one of the most engaging and addictive games I have every played. Expand
  6. Mar 8, 2016
    10
    TL:DR - Buy the game. Now. Seriously. No... just do it.

    The best $15 you will ever spend. I loved Harvest Moon as a young teen, and when I saw this on GOG, I nearly fell out of my chair. Then I fired up the game... it was a lot more than Harvest Moon. It was amazing. Lots of depth, plenty of things to do, lots of secrets, and plenty of surprises hit me dead in the face.
  7. Dec 26, 2016
    10
    Everything I wanted from a new Harvest Moon. And more. Get ready to spend lots of "just five more minutes" with this one.
    STARDEW VALLEY GOTY 2016!!!!
  8. Jun 9, 2021
    10
    It can be surprising how enjoyable something as simple as (virtual) farming can be. I purchased the game once they released coop and had a ton of fun with it. There's a lot here to enjoy and a good amount of different things to do. Plus it's super simple so even your non-gaming spouses/siblings will enjoy it.
    The festivals, unfortunately, are lacking and quickly become a waste of
    It can be surprising how enjoyable something as simple as (virtual) farming can be. I purchased the game once they released coop and had a ton of fun with it. There's a lot here to enjoy and a good amount of different things to do. Plus it's super simple so even your non-gaming spouses/siblings will enjoy it.
    The festivals, unfortunately, are lacking and quickly become a waste of daylight. Thankfully they are skippable.

    Date Retired: 2021-03-14
    Playtime: (~ 70h vanilla, ~ 70h Expanded)
    Enjoyment: 10/10
    Recommendation: It's a great game, all the better with coach coop.
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  9. Apr 12, 2016
    10
    I love this game for how calming it is to play.
    I find myself sinking hours and hours sitting at the computer nose deep into this game. I love that I cracked open a notepad and have it open on my other screen with the calendar events written on it and a few other notes for quick reference.
    So far every time I think I may have hit a dry spot for grinding something else gets thrown in the
    I love this game for how calming it is to play.
    I find myself sinking hours and hours sitting at the computer nose deep into this game. I love that I cracked open a notepad and have it open on my other screen with the calendar events written on it and a few other notes for quick reference.
    So far every time I think I may have hit a dry spot for grinding something else gets thrown in the mix.
    You don't have to do anything, if you don't want to farm that's ok, and it seems like a lot of people skip out on fishing, but I do think I'm going to be trying my best to 100% this.
    It's so calming after a day of errands or work and is just a very nice way to unwind.
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  10. egn
    Dec 1, 2016
    10
    Did you enjoy harvest moon, but wish there was a game that fleshes everything in it out a bit more? Here it is.

    Don't let the retro graphics fool you, and don't be deterred by the fact that it's an "Indy title". This is a huge game with hundreds of hours of gameplay to offer, at least.
  11. Feb 26, 2016
    10
    Harvest Moon is back! And its simple and fun again. From the soundtrack to its gameplay its simply a true work of art done by one man. Thank You STARDEW VALLEY.o0O
  12. Feb 26, 2016
    10
    This is an amazing Harvest-Moonesque/Animal Crossingesque inspired game. I've been following the development for a while and I was still really impressed with the quality of this game. Combine that with the fact that one guy made this and there's no reason not to get it if you've been looking for this type of game for the PC.
  13. Apr 6, 2016
    10
    This is a great game made by a developer that has mashed all of our favorite games into one. It is like so many games, but like no other. Games like Harvest Moon never held my attention too long, but this has so many things to do that it keeps me hooked for hours. I can't suggest this any higher to anyone that liked Harvest Moon, Animal Crossing, or just any relaxing game to play.
  14. Mar 29, 2016
    10
    What a fantastic game. A true Harvest Moon (Story of Season) experience has finally come to the PC. The artwork is fantastic and music is great. I love how it is not about item hoading to make stuff, though there is crafting, it is not to the point of where the harvest Moon (Story of Seasons) games have gone and stuff feels fresh again. it is an overall joy with tons to do, lots of cropsWhat a fantastic game. A true Harvest Moon (Story of Season) experience has finally come to the PC. The artwork is fantastic and music is great. I love how it is not about item hoading to make stuff, though there is crafting, it is not to the point of where the harvest Moon (Story of Seasons) games have gone and stuff feels fresh again. it is an overall joy with tons to do, lots of crops and animals to raise, and an adventure. Expand
  15. Mar 13, 2016
    10
    All I can say is WOW! The level of detail put into this game is mind blowing. It already has me and my husband addicted and I'm incredibly impressed at how much fun this game is! I Am a huge Harvest Moon fan and the two are definitely similar. However, you can tell that there was so much more heart and soul put into this game than that of Harvest Moon. For those of you that don't likeAll I can say is WOW! The level of detail put into this game is mind blowing. It already has me and my husband addicted and I'm incredibly impressed at how much fun this game is! I Am a huge Harvest Moon fan and the two are definitely similar. However, you can tell that there was so much more heart and soul put into this game than that of Harvest Moon. For those of you that don't like the fishing...I felt that way at first but I gradually got the hang of it and found it to be quite fun. Awesome job ConcernedApe. This is quite an accomplishment! Expand
  16. Mar 17, 2016
    10
    Charming and addictive in the purest possible way. The no scope MLG kiddies might not care much for the graphics and assume the game sucks because of that, but that just means they are missing out. This game is the best $15 you could possibly spend since Rocket League's debut.
  17. Mar 11, 2016
    10
    This game has something no AAA title has been able to deliver in years... Charm.

    It's just dripping, oozing and overflowing with it. This is a game with so much character and truly dedicated attention to detail, I wish I could give it a hug, and tell it how special it is. It's an ode to that marvelous old farming game which sings with a delightful glee that reminds you so much of why
    This game has something no AAA title has been able to deliver in years... Charm.

    It's just dripping, oozing and overflowing with it. This is a game with so much character and truly dedicated attention to detail, I wish I could give it a hug, and tell it how special it is.

    It's an ode to that marvelous old farming game which sings with a delightful glee that reminds you so much of why you pine for the founding era of game design.

    A one-man developer has produced what feels like it could have been done with an army of artists and designers. Bravo, ConcernedApe.
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  18. Apr 4, 2016
    10
    I never played Harvest Moon so I do not have much basis for comparison. Yet, what I can say is that this game seems masterfully made and is addicting as all hell. It took me a couple of in-game days to get into it and understand it, but everything was simple and self-explanatory enough that I was able to jump right in.

    It was really an inspiration to learn that it was just one guy
    I never played Harvest Moon so I do not have much basis for comparison. Yet, what I can say is that this game seems masterfully made and is addicting as all hell. It took me a couple of in-game days to get into it and understand it, but everything was simple and self-explanatory enough that I was able to jump right in.

    It was really an inspiration to learn that it was just one guy that made this game and what a job he did. The art is great, the music is great and all of the characters have such specific backstories and behaviors that you'd think a whole team made it.

    I noticed a couple of glitches, but nothing game breaking. My biggest issue with the game though is in the lack of settings and options. I would like to be able to play at work, but I cannot make the screen small enough to do so. Additionally, volume control is limited to music on or off. I also would like to be able to save other than at the end of a day, but I can see where that's ultimately problematic from a design perspective.

    ConcernedApe, you da real MVP.
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  19. May 11, 2016
    10
    You can tell this game was crafted with passion. The core gameplay is similar to cookie clicker - grow A to sell for $100 so you can buy seeds for B to grow and sell for $500 and so on, but what really impressed me was how well the game conveys the feeling of living in Pleasantville USA. The townspeople are friendly with a bunch of different personalities and secret problems.

    I'm
    You can tell this game was crafted with passion. The core gameplay is similar to cookie clicker - grow A to sell for $100 so you can buy seeds for B to grow and sell for $500 and so on, but what really impressed me was how well the game conveys the feeling of living in Pleasantville USA. The townspeople are friendly with a bunch of different personalities and secret problems.

    I'm usually a very "get the OP weapon and beat the game as fast as possible" type of player, but Stardew Valley is one of the very few games where I enjoyed messing around as much as I enjoyed trying to best my own high scores.
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  20. Mar 24, 2016
    10
    metacritic says Stardew has 24 negative and it only has 2 comment from 2000's born kids (sadly, they lost the golden era of gaming).

    This game should be 9.9 but what can we do with ignorance

    Winterspark: so sad to be you I do't even have words for him.
    Kummaz ¿only nostalgia? Not really there are manypixel games on steam and none has been this succesful.
  21. Jun 9, 2020
    10
    Wow what a game! This game is so COZY. If you are looking for the super cozy vibe of having a plot of land in a forested valley with hints of magic, this is the exact game you have been waiting for. There's alot more to this game than farming.
  22. Mar 17, 2016
    10
    Surprisingly good game! I was not sure i would like it when i first saw it because it looked like another farming game. It has surprising depth and there are many ways to make money. The game does a great job of giving you nudges on what to do but leaves the strategies up to you.

    Loved it!
  23. Jun 10, 2021
    10
    A beautiful, unforgettable slice-of-life experience, Stardew Valley is basically everything good about the Harvest Moon formula distilled and then sweetened with its own touch of unique personality. There are catchy, memorable tunes for every season and festival, you get special interactions with basically every villager as your relationships develop, and there's a wild variety ofA beautiful, unforgettable slice-of-life experience, Stardew Valley is basically everything good about the Harvest Moon formula distilled and then sweetened with its own touch of unique personality. There are catchy, memorable tunes for every season and festival, you get special interactions with basically every villager as your relationships develop, and there's a wild variety of customization options for your farm. You can make a fortune as a cattle ranch, convert your entire property into a bee sanctuary or have large crop rotations managed with automated sprinklers and magical sprites.

    You're free to take this as a game to relax, enjoying the idyllic fantasy of living in a small, friendly community while managing a steadily improving farm, or you can focus on the relationships you build with the people and get a surprisingly deep level of connection and characterization out of the NPCs. There are literally moments and interactions I still reminisce about years after my first playthrough, and whenever I fire the game up I know I'll end up playing it for dozens of hours.
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  24. Feb 28, 2016
    10
    I dont usually write reviews and even less review games on steam, but this is totally an exception. As i progress further into the game i'll update, but i got pretty much information to give on you guys for now.
    Im a big Harvest moon fan, actually not that much, in fact the only ones i played was Friends of Mineral Town and Back to Nature, and ow boy, Back to Nature... i've spent easily
    I dont usually write reviews and even less review games on steam, but this is totally an exception. As i progress further into the game i'll update, but i got pretty much information to give on you guys for now.
    Im a big Harvest moon fan, actually not that much, in fact the only ones i played was Friends of Mineral Town and Back to Nature, and ow boy, Back to Nature... i've spent easily 500+ hours on that game, it is just so good to start something with barely nothing and turn it into a big thing (That's why i love games like Tropico 5,XCOM, Total War ETC).
    I know its boring but i'll need to make a lot of comparisons with Harvest moon Back to Nature (because it was the only one i REALLY played and enjoyed)
    First off by the story, you are the grandson of a farmer which lives in a small town called Stardew valley, its not explained if you lived with him or not (probably not), one day, he leaves you a letter, and asks you to open it when you grow tired of the City life.
    Twenty years have passed and you are working for a company called Joja which is somewhat a parody or critic of the today's companies, "enslaving" his workers. One day at work, you grow tired of being exploited and decides to open the letter, only to find out you grandfather has left his farm all to you, to start a new life.
    Well its pretty much back to nature, but there you live in the city and visit your grandfather in vacations, people already knew you basically but from what i remember he stopped visiting and got somewhat forggoten. his grandpa dies and he gets the farm. So my point is, this is not a ripoff, i was so glad to see such familiar storyline, but from now on things really change so don't be mad.
    So you are introduced to your new, devasted, overgrown land, 500 moneys and 15 seeds as a gift from the mayor, so with hard work you need to transform a terrible once forgotten farm, 500 bucks and 15 seeds into a money-maker machine, restore the town's economy and bring the people together again. (i'll explain)
    So, Joja gets in the city, everything is different, people likes TV more than hanging out, the once high populated city hall is destroyed and the economy is really bad, so it's up to you to maybe kick joja out (i don't know yet if this is a possibility)
    So let's go to some things you can do and have:
    -You have some basic tools, which is used to: chop trees down,mine ores and rocks,watering crops,prepare the soil, fishing and foraging.
    -There's plenty of ways to make money in the game, including your primary crop plantation in your farm (beside animals like chickens giving you eggs), Mining, Fishing and even fighting and looting monsters!!!!
    -Socialize with other people and even marry and (maybe) have children
    -Participate in festivals held by the locals
    -Have a pet like a cat or a dog
    So now i'll list somethings different than BtN.
    -There are monters, yes! you can actually fight them and loot them, they are pretty though tho, but you can upgrade yours weapons and equipment in the guild hall.
    -Bigger Map
    -Bigger and more beatiful farm land
    -You can craft and build items like chests, scarecrows, sprinklers, furnacers etc
    (Im missing things for sure so don't hesitate to comment and correct me)
    Overall its pretty much the same mechanics about farming and etc and i completely love it!
    Although there is somethings i didn't liked
    -Females are not cute like the Harvest moon ones (I really preferer those japanese stylish art for women)
    -The guys are really cool and the girls not so much, there is one that has a band and rides a skate sometimes!
    -The energy system really needs an overhaul, its frustating in the start but becomes too much underpowered on the early to mid game!!
    -The TV could use some more work
    The soundtrack is simply amazing, it really gives you this "farm" feel!
    This is a great game, and it was made by one guy only (which has worked on StarBound) buy it now if you love Harvest moon like me or if you like micro management games like Tropico 5,Sim City etc, its really worth its price, i've been playing this for 5 hours straight, no recent games has done this to me, so this is a GREAT sign!
    Really, JUST BUY IT!!!!
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  25. Feb 23, 2018
    10
    I've barely done anything in this game but it's insanely fun! I hate 2d or pixelated games but this one is just amazing! It's very colorful and makes me be very glad I bought a decent monitor c:

    I really hate the saving though, you have to finish a night and sleep to save your game :( also walking over the map is soo annoying! but Oh well ! I love it! And you can't ever get that cute
    I've barely done anything in this game but it's insanely fun! I hate 2d or pixelated games but this one is just amazing! It's very colorful and makes me be very glad I bought a decent monitor c:

    I really hate the saving though, you have to finish a night and sleep to save your game :(

    also walking over the map is soo annoying! but Oh well ! I love it! And you can't ever get that cute intro and game music out of your head!

    If only I could play this on my phone and my gamepad! (pretty please *stares with huge eyes tearing* Pleaaaaaseeee deeeeevsssss >.< I'd buy it even for more than the full price or better at the full price! Specially with shared save files :O that'd be more than amazing! I wish I had a Nintendo switch just for this)
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  26. Feb 28, 2016
    10
    In recent years, the Harvest Moon series has died down some over the course of several new games, where the next one does not really add anything new to the last. Until now, the only alternative to the series has mostly been Rune Factory, which is also a very good series. This game, however takes the good from both series and breathes new life into the formula.

    It has many elements that
    In recent years, the Harvest Moon series has died down some over the course of several new games, where the next one does not really add anything new to the last. Until now, the only alternative to the series has mostly been Rune Factory, which is also a very good series. This game, however takes the good from both series and breathes new life into the formula.

    It has many elements that any player of either series would be more than familiar with: farming crops, raising livestock, fishing, and mining. And everything is timed with the daily clock and monthly calendar dates, with special events happening every so often. These categories work the same way as their inspirations for the most part, however there are some key differences. A big over-arching change is that your farmland is almost completely customizable. Other than your house, there is nothing that is pre-placed, and your land area is gigantic. This allows for a fully customized farm that is unique to you. Fishing has a minigame instead of automatically catching whatever you hook; at first, the minigame is extremely difficult, but it does not take long to get used to. Farming also comes with conveniences that never existed before, such as upgradable sprinklers that water tiles of your crops for you (the amount depends on the level of sprinkler) as well as several kinds of fertilizers that have different effects on your crop. Raising animals is mostly the same, however the range of animals that you can care for is vast, including chickens, ducks, goats, pigs, and cows. All of these areas of the game work well, and as one would expect, with there being plenty of variety in all three. Any of these elements can be completely ignored if desired and the player can still make a profit. There is no rush to get to anything at a certain time (for the most part) and the game can be played at your own pace.

    Mining can be best described as a combination of Rune Factory's combat and Harvest Moon's cave systems. Each floor has a ladder that needs to be found to move on to the next floor, with there being better ore, minerals, gems, etc to mine the deeper you go. Inside the mine are various monsters that can be killed, sometimes even required to kill. The combat is simple, where LMB swings your melee weapon, holding LMB charges up a slingshot, and RMB does various special actions depending on the weapon. However, the simplicity works for the game, as you are always on the clock, and if it were too complex there'd be too much time spent fighting. There is something special at the very bottom of the mine, giving even more reason to explore it.

    Of course, a Harvest Moon inspired game would not be complete without interactions with the townsfolk. The system is the same as it is in Harvest Moon, where you can talk with villagers and give them gifts to get them to like you more. Unlike Harvest Moon, you can only give two gifts per week, meaning the progression of affection is a lot slower unless you complete quests or special interactions with each villager. So long as you give the right gifts and complete the special tasks, it still will not take too long before your chosen bachelor or bachelorette can be married.

    Despite everything the game does right, there are some issues with it. The running speed is atrociously slow, especially with diagonal movement. You do eventually unlock a horse, but the horse only speeds up diagonal movement; the vertical and horizontal run speeds remain the same. In addition, the bachelors and bachelorettes vary from each other with personality, however they are fairly two dimensional with their personalities. The developer also apparently had a stroke at one point because if you look at the progression of their appearances, there is a point where they gradually become worse and more same-faced, losing some uniqueness to them. There is also a very unfitting anti-corporation message in the game that could have been left out. The overall graphics style is up to personal preference, but I personally like it and think it does a good job creating the comfy atmosphere these games are known for.

    Lastly, the game is capable of being fully modified due to how simple the engine is made. Every pixel can be changed, and mod tools are in the process of being created to add extra content. There is already a mod that changes the appearances of the bachelorettes to an earlier time, as a result of many individuals wanting them altered. So who knows what the developer and modders will add to the game in the future.

    In conclusion, this game has just as much if not more content than any of the more modern Harvest Moon games yet is half the price. There are some aspects that I did not even mention such as the sewer dungeon and what is basically the Harvest Sprite tasks because I am 18 hours in and still haven't finished either of those things, nor have I seen everything the game has to offer yet. I highly recommend it.
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  27. Dec 25, 2022
    10
    Tengo este juego en pc, consola y movil, es un lugar que te hace sentir tan bien y seguro, yo lo pensaba hace un tiempo. Me recuerda a esos dias de lluvia despues del cole en el que podias llegar a casa y tomar un chocolate caliente, es simplemente un lugar seguro.
  28. Jan 16, 2017
    10
    This game is amazing. And it was made by only one person. It is basically like Harvest Moon and Rune Factory combined but for PC. You farm, mine, fight monsters, and build improvements on your farm. There are lots of characters that offer unique quests and you can even get married. It's a very relaxing game, if you like RPG's or farming simulators you should give it a try.
  29. Apr 1, 2016
    10
    For real, this is the very best "Harvest Moon Style" game I've ever played. The balancing act of planning the size of a farm you can reasonably water each day while trying to build up the resources to get better sprinklers is amazingly fun. The characters are absolutely charming and realistically written. The entire game is an exercise in chipping away at the jade and ice that formsFor real, this is the very best "Harvest Moon Style" game I've ever played. The balancing act of planning the size of a farm you can reasonably water each day while trying to build up the resources to get better sprinklers is amazingly fun. The characters are absolutely charming and realistically written. The entire game is an exercise in chipping away at the jade and ice that forms around your heart as you age. I cannot believe this game was made by one person. Expand
  30. Apr 24, 2016
    10
    Don't brush it off as a Harvest Moon clone, this is way more that that! The game has charming and delightful personality of its own, guaranteed hours of fun!
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 30
  2. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Jul 19, 2017
    92
    Stardew Valley is without a doubt the best game in the Harvest Moon genre in many years. It has a subtle message about what it means to live a good life and to flourish through a combination of hard work and human connection. The Harvest Moon games all basically boil down to managing a mix of time, tasks, and metrics, and recent entries in the series have relied heavily on exploiting a new gameplay gimmick with each iteration: in one it's crafting structures for the town, in another it's trading with foreign economies. The problem with this approach is that once these gimmicks are exhausted — all the houses built or all the goods traded — the games feel hollow. Stardew Valley succeeds by delivering a robust experience that does not merely rely on watching a meter go up. It has something to say and says it well, while never abandoning the core gameplay that attracted players in the first place.
  2. Sep 23, 2016
    90
    Don't start this game if you value relationships, your job, your social life, and having free time. Stardew Valley will take all of that away from you, but it's okay because it's a great game.
  3. Jul 25, 2016
    85
    Stardew Valley is a fine, smart farm simulation game. It is slow and it involves a lot of daily tasks, but in Stardew Valley there is something ingenious about those tasks.