How to Get Started in 'Stardew Valley'

Stardew Valley, 2016’s indie sleeper hit, just got it’s first major content update, and it’s a doozy. This new take on the classic Harvest Moon formula was great in its original form, and now developer Concerned Ape is taking it a step further. There’s no better time than now for prospective farmers to jump in and see what all the fuss is about.

For starters, there are now five new farm maps, each catering to a different skill. If you love fishing, for example, the Riverlands map features plenty of water teeming with fish, while the Hill-top map is rich in ores for miners. You’ll also be able to grow coffee, mill wheat, and beets and produce some flour and sugar. What’s more, if you feel like things aren’t working out with your spouse, you can opt for divorce. There’s a bunch of other new features, and Concerned Ape breaks them down in detail over on the official site.

Jumping in head first might seem like a fine idea, but there’s much more to Stardew Valley than its $15 price tag suggests — it’s filled to the brim with crafting, quests, and secrets. Never fear, however! Follow these tips to make the most of your first few days on the farm.

Fish for Cash

Dear grandpa didn’t really leave you a whole lot of money to get your farm off the ground, so you’ll have to fend for yourself. To save up a nice chunk of change, start fishing. It’s an easy, affordable way to line your pockets early on. If you need supplementary income, use your fishing money to fix the bridge on the beach and scoop up some urchins and coral for some daily bonus moola.

Avoid Cutting the Tall Grass

Your farm’s been left in a rough state, what with all of the rocks, and branches, and other assorted debris scattered about. You’ll want to clear this out, of course, but try to leave the tall grass alone until you build a silo — which should be the first structure you build anyways! If you cut it down without one, that precious grass disappears into the ether. With a silo, that grass will get stored away, and you can use it to feed your animals after you’ve built a barn.

### Get a Better Backpack ASAP

Stardew Valley is largely a game about collecting all of the things, but you won’t be able to do that with your dinky little starter backpack. Forget about buying chickens, or a golden ax, or any of that fancy business. What you need, first and foremost, is an upgraded backpack. Save up 2,000g and then head to Pierre’s store to increase your inventory space. This will save you time and energy.

Head into the mines

If you follow the tips above, you’ll be cruising straight into the summer season. Now is the time to invest in blueberry seeds. They might seem pricey, but raw blueberries sell well, and the seeds you plant continue to produce fruit throughout the season. If you unlock the preserves jar, you can turn the berries into jam, which sells at a premium. A well-tended blueberry patch will serve you quite well.

The mines can be a scary place. It’s dark, it’s deep, and it’s full of creepy crawlies. It also happens to be one of the most valuable resources for crafting materials in the game. The mines open up after your fifth day in-game, so start exploring! Bring some food with you (you can even snack on the fruit you forage around town) to keep your health and energy up, and you should be good to go. Save the ore you find, as you’ll be needing it soon to upgrade your tools and build useful items for your farm.

Berries = gold

The tips and tricks above will see your farm prospering in no time. But remember, that this is a great game for embracing your own creativity, too, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Once you have your personal daily routine down you’ll find Stardew Valley to be the perfect chill out game. Happy farming!