Every game should come with a simple and easy help guide, and Stardew Valley is no different.
Stardew Valley is a cozy and adorable farming sim that came to players’ libraries in 2016. Yet, it reached peak popularity more recently when an update to the game revolutionized the gameplay and practically changed everything.
However, when new players picked up the game, many aspects of the game were left unexplained. New players struggled to figure out the unique gameplay style and worked through the first few hours of gameplay, wondering what the hell they were supposed to do.
Unfortunately, Stardew Valley doesn’t help in telling players the most important aspects of its game right off the bat. Players are introduced to the game and its main mechanics, but some aspects of the game are left relatively misunderstood. Thus, here is a list of some of those important aspects of Stardew Valley that the game does not tell you.
1. Item Recovery Service
Some time into the game, players will be introduced to the Adventurer’s Guild, and thus to the Mines. Within these mines are many dangers that players will struggle to avoid. Thus, they will have to learn to defend themselves and plan accordingly for the dangers that they will face.
Unfortunately, even the most veteran player can be caught by surprise, which means fainting and losing those items collected. However, the game does not tell players that one item can be recovered from the Mines, or wherever they fainted, for a small fee. Only one item or stack can be recovered, and the rest of their items will be lost.
2. Watch TV for Advice and Upcoming Days
When players move into their new home, they will find a TV placed within their home. This TV comes as standard and is a very useful tool for any new farmer. Every day, in-game, a new show will air on TV. It is important and helpful for players to check in daily for the weather and other channels to receive helpful tips, new recipes, and upcoming forecasts for the days to come.
3. Upgrade Your Tools
When players are first given their tools, they might think that they will be able to chop, mine, or cut anything down easily. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Players will discover quite quickly that these tools are very restrictive in what they can cut, mine, dig, or chop.
Therefore, it is important to try and upgrade your tools as soon as you can. That way, players can clear out the overgrowth on their farm easily and before it gets too much. These upgraded tools will also help in the mines and elsewhere.
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4. Loading Fishing Poles
When fishing, players may discover early on that catching fish is very difficult. Most of the time they will catch trash or mediocre fish that are barely worth selling. But the game is quite secretive in letting players in on the secret to more lucrative fishing practices.
So, the best course of action for low-level players is to obtain some bait from Willy, and a more effective bobber for their fishing pole. This will give players a better shot at actually catching fish.
To load bait and bobber onto the fishing rod, open your inventory and select the bait or bobber. Place the bait or bobber over the fishing pole in your inventory and activate it. The bait or bobber should attach and will be automatically used when the fishing pole is used.
5. Weapons can Clear Some Things
Not just the farming tools can be used for farming. The weapons that you can obtain through your life in Stardew Valley can also help with clearing various spots of land.
Farming tools can be used to break rocks or chop down trees, but swords as well as scythes can clear large grass areas, although they may be less effective. Don’t limit yourself to a few tools while exploring the region; use everything that you have at your disposal to make the most out of your experience.
6. Prioritize the Community Centre
Although many players’ main instinct will be to earn as much money as possible and grow as much as they can to grow their farm, there is a much better use of their skills. Early in the game, players will be introduced to the Community Centre.
But it is derelict and in much need of repair. That’s where you come in. There will be various tasks for players to finish and accomplish to repair and fix up the community center; it is these tasks that they should prioritize over the completion of their farm.
7. Fishing Gets Easier
When many players pick up their first fishing rod and get their first introduction to the game’s fishing mechanics, they will find it difficult. It feels like it is supposed to be difficult. Catching fish with the training pole or beginning pole is an extremely difficult learning curve to overcome.
However, as you progress through the game, and learn and understand its mechanics, this mini-game will get easier, especially when you upgrade your gear, add new bobbers, and buy new poles. Persevere, and it will get better.
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