Summary
Stardew Valley’s much-awaited Update 1.6 has been out for a few months now and it added so much to the game despite being a download of less than 60 MB. According to a recent interview,Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone says he still plays his debut title, leading him to hatch new ideas that turn into game-changing quality-of-life updates and new features. He even stated that he could work on the game forever and give players an enriched version of the game with every new update. However, if he somehow ends up throwing in the towel forSDVbefore Update 1.7, Update 1.6 is the best send-off that players could get.
TheStardew Valleythat players know now was quite different from when it debuted over eight years ago. Players could only play solo for the first two years of the game’s existence. Then, Update 1.3 rolled around in 2018 and introduced multiplayer. Update 1.4 expanded the endgame and added fish ponds. Meanwhile, Update 1.5 added Ginger Island, the beach farm, advanced game options for variety, new characters, the perfection endgame cutscene, and most importantly, the ability to sit on chairs. It seems like ConcernedApe likes outdoing himself after every major patch, and the recent Update 1.6 is no different.
Why Stardew Valley’s Update 1.6 is the Perfect Capstone
ConcernedApe is the only developer and designer working onStardew Valleyand his upcoming game,Haunted Chocolatier. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he ever stops working onSDVindefinitely to focus on his latest title. If he does, however, players are in good hands with Update 1.6.
Meadowlands Rounds Out Stardew Valley’s Diverse Farm Map Roster
Players can access different map types to fit one’s preferred playstyle. For example, the Hill-top Farm is perfect for mining-focused playthroughs, as it spawns Geode and Ore nodes. The Riverland Farm, on the other hand, is excellent for fishing as bodies of water split and surround the player’s home.
However, there wasn’t a map exclusively designed for animal husbandry until Update 1.6, which dropped theMeadowlands Farm. It comes with a coop and two chickens from the get-go and is surrounded by nutritious chewy blue grass for animals to graze. It perfectly caps the game’s map roster, which now covers every aspect of farming, mining, and fishing that players want to maximize.
The NPCs are Better than Ever
While Update 1.6 didn’t add any new NPCs, it improved existing ones significantly.ConcernedApe added more than 100 lines of dialogueto the game, allowing the characters to react dynamically to different things that happen around them. They’re also better at dressing for the weather now with their new winter outfits. Plus, NPCs no longer try to walk through terrain and trees that block them. These updates revitalize the village and make each character seem even more believable.
Update 1.6’s Food Processing and Crop Additions Make Farming More Dynamic
The game added carrots, powdermelon, broccoli, and summer squash. New crops are always a welcome addition to the game, but powdermelon has been a popular choice recently as players found that it offers thethird-highest farming EXP output inStardew Valley.
Update 1.6 also introduced new food processing methods. The Fish Smoker doubles the value of the fish that players catch. Meanwhile, the Dehydrator lets one create dried mushrooms and fruits, which can make foraging a significantly more profitable activity. These new items and crops breathe new life into the day-to-day of novice and veteran players alike, giving them even more ways to enhance their skills and earnings.
This major patch also addednew festivals like the Trout Derby and Desert Festival, easier ways to achieve perfection, and over 280 new furniture. It’s one of the most jam-packed updates in the game yet and fans will surely spend hours upon hours exploring the features and improvements it added to an already beloved game. If theStardew Valleyis reaching the end of its life, then Update 1.6 is the best swan song.
Stardew Valley
WHERE TO PLAY
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
