Stardew Valley 2 Possible, But Easier to Expand Original Game, Says Creator

Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the mastermind behind Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of developing a sequel, tentatively titled Stardew Valley 2. While speaking with TigerBelly, Barone expressed that creating a whole new game from scratch is a daunting task compared to the ease of enhancing the existing Stardew Valley with new content. He mentioned, "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 this, Barone remains open to the idea of a sequel, stating, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest." However, he's currently channeling his creative energies into a new project called Haunted Chocolatier, motivated by his desire to not be solely defined by Stardew Valley. He cautioned fans not to expect a release date for Haunted Chocolatier anytime soon, as there's "still a lot to be done," and it "has to be better" than Stardew Valley.

Our initial review of Stardew Valley back in 2016 was overwhelmingly positive, scoring it an 8.8 "Great." When we revisited the game in 2024, we elevated it to a 10/10 "masterpiece," stating, "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 starting their farming journey, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide is fully updated for the 2024 1.6 update, which introduced new crops, fish, and the engaging Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. For seasoned players who have reached the pinnacle of their skills, our Mastery Points guide offers advice on further progression. And if you're exploring Ginger Island, our guide can help you locate all Golden Walnuts.