So I Tried… Stardew Valley
Each edition of So I Tried… I will try a game that I have never tried before. Will I find something new to love? Will I find something new to despise? I'll take a full half hour, no matter how bad it gets or how badly I do, to see if this is the game for me. This time I went for the PC version of Stardew Valley.
What I thought it was
I pretty much know what this is - a low-res Harvest Moon. You farm, you date, you… farm some more… I’ll admit that’s all I know, but as far as I’m aware that’s all there is to it. It’s not like I hear people waxing lyrical about an epic storyline. I’m hoping to be surprised, but I definitely feel this is a “do your own thing” kind of game.
What it actually is
You’re bequeathed a farm to escape to “when life gets you down”, which apparently takes more than 10 years. Upon arrival, it’s a complete mess and the mayor has broken into your house to greet you. Things are kind of unsettling at first glance. Then you’re left to your own devices with a box of seeds and a bunch of tools.
Will I keep playing
Well, I’ll be honest the two and a half days I experienced weren’t great. I got lost and accidentally used up my stamina while exploring, so took a good five minutes to walk home. The second day, I decided to use half of my stamina to clear the farm some more, then explore. I went to the dock to be given a fishing rod, caught one fish, then once again managed to use my stamina by accident. I went to bed at 12pm (when I eventually got home), and went exploring in the rain on the third day, before running down my half an hour. As I said, it’s not a great impression, but I feel that I should give it some more of my time, due to the amount of people who live by this game.
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COMMENTS
Wensleydale - 07:52pm, 3rd February 2018
Yeah, I think you either love this kind of game... or you don't. After about three hours of chopping, hoeing, planting, fishing, and listening to the tedious anecdotes of the townsfolk, I found it unbearably dull. I play games to escape from the monotony of real life, not to replay a pixelated version of it complete with manual labour and boring conversations.
Acelister - 10:44pm, 3rd February 2018 Author
There's a surprising amount of farming simulators, all told. There must be a market for it.
Tnekarma1289 - 08:29pm, 3rd February 2018
You should definitely give stardew valley some more of your time Ace once you start getting to the good bits like building a farm feeding animals it's so fun
Acelister - 10:45pm, 3rd February 2018 Author
I will give it some more time, but honestly I'm not in a rush. Only being able to save by sleeping is not a great thing in my opinion.
TheSphericalCat - 12:46am, 4th February 2018
I think you might have a better time of it when the multiplayer is launched, that way someone can come find you if you get lost again!