With Stardew Valley making farmwork and other chores into fun activities, it's ironic that one typically leisurely activity became much more demanding. Of course, in Stardew Valley, the player's chores for the day can be finished in about a minute, at least early on. Most of the player's spare time will often be spent either giving gifts to all the villagers, going fishing for both money and supplies, and adventuring into the mines or Skull Cavern. Of course, there is one option that may sound leisurely, but it might be more work than the actual farmwork.
Players will spend a lot of time working on their farm in Stardew Valley, but the game keeps the work streamlined and engaging. With the act of planting and collecting crops being so simple, players have plenty of time to enjoy everything that the game has to offer. Considering that Stardew Valley has been receiving a lot of support, as well as an expansion of sorts in the form of Ginger Island, players will still have plenty to do after finishing their morning farmwork. That combined with the general lack of strict deadlines makes it a perfect game to play for a relaxing time.
Stardew Valley's In-Universe Games Are Harder Than Harvesting Crops
Stardew Valley has two in-game video games that players can play. Stardew Valley's Junimo Kart and Journey of the Prairie King minigames are available through the arcade cabinets at the Saloon, or through home machines that the player earns through beating the game. Junimo Kart is a side-scroller where the player has to try to guide a kart to the end of several courses, and Journey of the Prairie King is a 1980s-style shooter where the player has to survive one screen at a time. Both games act as an extra challenge for players to conquer when not tackling other parts of farm life.
One notable aspect of the arcade games is their high difficulty; one of Stardew Valley's most difficult achievements is tied to them as well. Junimo Kart features incredibly difficult level design that requires increasingly precise jumps that a player must clear with limited lives. On the other hand, Journey of the Prairie King doesn't seem difficult at first, but the relative weakness of the player character combined with the size of the enemy waves they have to fight makes the game exceedingly tough. The difficulty is even mentioned in-game, as Abigail reveals that she can't even beat the first level in a heart event.
In addition to being difficult, the arcade games in Stardew Valley are some of the least rewarding activities in the game. Making a profit in Stardew Valley is achievable through many methods. Growing crops, creating artisan goods, finding gemstones, and even catching fish can all turn a solid profit for the player with enough work. However, all that the player gets for beating the arcade games are corresponding arcade cabinets for the farmer's house. Considering that the player must have reached the bottom of the mines to unlock Junimo Kart in the first place, the reward feels disappointing for the effort required to earn them.
Stardew Valley's arcade games are surprisingly the most difficult part of the game with the least impressive rewards. While a lot of work goes into making an incredible farm in Stardew Valley, players can enjoy the strategy involved, and the end result is satisfying. The same can be said for leveling up skills and relationships in-game. However, when it comes to Junimo Kart and Journey of the Prairie King, the only real rewards are the games that the player just beat. In the world of Stardew Valley, it turns out that farmwork is preferable to video games.
Stardew Valley is available now for Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS Vita, and Xbox One.
