Stardew Valley: A guide to getting started

Stardew Valley, one of the best games ever. Taking some of it's stories and gameplay from the Harvest Moon gaming series, this is a great game. One of my favorites and the complete opposite of 7 Days to Die. Today I will give you a guide to getting started in this game, such as earning money quickly and making the most of the land around you.

To begin, you are presented with the character creation screen. There are dozens of options for customizing your own character. You can have blue hair, green skin, and a beard if you so desire. Along with that you have the option of owning a dog or cat, with three textures for each to choose from. Along with that, there are many different options for the farm layout you want. Most recently they added a beach farm, which is what I will be showing in my pics.

Of these farms, there is the basic farm, forest farm, quarry farm, monster farm, four corners farm, and the beach farm. Each has their own merits and I recommend choosing what suits you best. Want to grow lots of crops? I recommend a basic farm. Want a little extra danger at night? Choose the monster farm. The four corners farm is great if you want to start with a small group of friends. Although you can add cabins for friends to join later on. (Note: these are not the names of the actual farms.)

For writing purposes I chose the new beach farm, which is quite large and has places for fishing in the ocean. It has the basic things that all the farms have, a greenhouse, cave, and shrine for your dead grandpa with the note saying he'll be back as a zombie! Just kidding, you'll have to find out for yourself. Although the farm layout differs for each choice, the surrounding areas and the rest of the map does not change at all.

Now, on to getting started. You begin with 15 parsnip seeds, which are the fastest growing spring crop. Oh yeah, this game has seasons, just like in real life! Anyway, start by planting these crops ASAP so you can complete the associated quest and earn some moola. Once you've done so, gather some wood to make a chest so you aren't constantly running out of inventory space. You can update your inventory space later but for now it's not really feasible.

After gathering the wood needed and making a chest, wander into town. Buy one of each seed as you'll need those crops later, trust me. Meet as many people as you can early in the day as later in the night they go in their houses and lock the door like responsible adults who don't want to get robbed. Rummage through the trash, which sounds gross, but sometimes you can find valuables or food. Be in bed before 2 a.m. or you'll pass out. This game only saves if you sleep, so remember that.

The second day, you've got mail! One letter from the shop keeper Pierre, advertising his new backpack, and another from Willy. Willy recently returned from a fishing trip and wants to introduce himself and give you a gift. Water your crops and head over to Willy asap. He lives south of town on the beach. Cue a cutscene about fishing. He generously gives you his old fishing rod, which is great for earning money while you wait for your crops to grow.

There are multiple areas to fish, such as the ocean, river, and a lake. While you wait for your crops to grow, a great way to earn some cash is to gather around the map and use your remaining energy on fishing. You can potentially earn hundreds of gold a day just by fishing while waiting for your plants to finish growing. Remember how I told you to get one of each crop? We'll get into that.

Do a little fishing, make sure your crops are watered, and once you're out of energy or it gets late, turn in for the night. One thing I forgot to mention, you have a TV in your house that tells you the weather for the following day, your fortune for the day, and either tips for living off the land or recipes for cooking. This is very helpful if you want to go mining because you can plan to do so when it's raining, saving you energy and time.

Now, the first few days are kind of boring. You do some farming, meet some people, and wander around. After a few days, you will receive a letter that the boulder blocking the bridge to the mine has been removed. Head over there and meet a fellow adventurer who gifts you a rusty sword, perfect for monster slaying. You will also have the community center open up, which is in desperate need of a dust. You will also meet the junimos.

What are junimos you may ask? Tiny green gumball looking people that infest the community center. After some exploration, you find a small plaque that you can't read. At this point finish the day and continue to the next. You will receive a note from M. Rasmodius the Wizard, inviting you to his house regarding a rat problem in the community center. He gives you a strange potion that makes it so you can read the strange plaque in the community center.

The gist of the community center is this, save one of everything. Save one of each dandelion, buttercup, and fish because you need them to repair the community center. Why? I don't know but it does add a bit of a challenge to the game that is quite enjoyable. Sometimes you may need multiples of one crop, such as 5 gold star parsnips. So remember to keep an eye on what you need for the community center.

This is a truly great game. They had a great start and could have left it as is, but are continually adding things to make it even better and at a reasonable price. Thanks for joining me for this game guide, and wash your hands.