Game Column: Stardew Valley

Great for couples or cozy gamers, Stardew Valley is a gorgeously 16-bit stylized farming game that is perfectly captivating for both casual play and lengthened sessions. 

GAME RATING: 7.5

The game has minimal story elements at the beginning that detail the start of your farm after you go through character customization, and the abilities of customization for both your farm and gameplay are endless. You can choose to play through the game as intended by completing each building and objective, or you can play solely to farm. It's a game built off of genuine simplicity and ease of play, and the simple mechanics make it a perfect game for anyone looking for something easy and laid-back to play. 

In Stardew Valley, you can of course farm, but you can also mine, fight monsters in the caves, raise livestock, and fish. There are mechanics such as beachcombing and selling/buying crops and other items, and the slow pacing of the gameplay is great for those who do not like games that are in-your-face with action. It is one of the most simple games on the market, and it has gained such a massive fanbase for the authenticity it has. 

A simple game like Stardew Valley is perfect to wind down with or enjoy a casual session with, and if you enjoy simulation titles - give this one a try. It's an incredibly cozy farming simulator that is great for those with an interest in plants or creating their own space, and clearing out your starter farm from all of the weeds and rocks is much more fun than it sounds like at first. 

It's a game that is great for those who love to organize and play sweet, cozy games that are not overwhelming or full of tasks, and it's a title that allows for players to go at their own pace anytime. 

Pros:

• Unique style and gameplay that blends various minigames and simulations into one
• Diverse cast of townsfolk and appealing graphics (colours, simple 16-bit style) 
• Easy to play, incredibly simple
• Includes multiplayer options for groups or duos, meaning that couples, families, or groups of friends can all co-op to build a farm.
• Large amount of crops and items to choose from 
• Includes various methods of farming 
• Easily moddable game for varied methods of play 
• Allows players to go at their own pace
• Unlimited farming = never run out of game to play
• Various farm options 

Cons:

• Slow gameplay, waiting for crops to grow, waiting for building unlocks and general progression 
• Gets slightly repetitive as you run out of things to do - but if you're interested in something where you do the same thing (grow and sell cycle), this is a perfect title for you
• Hard to make large sums of money, meaning that the game is highly based upon patience rather than rapid progression