Stardew Valley has finally released on Nintendo Switch. We’re excited to be able to take this stellar game with us wherever we go, but we’re even more excited to experience the game a second time. There were a lot of things we wished we knew when we were starting our first year, so whether this is your first time on the farm or you’re a veteran gearing up for a fresh new field, here are five tips to help get you started in Stardew Valley.
1. Start Digging
One of the first things to do when starting the game is to head for the mines. They’re located at the north-eastern edge of the map, and they contains endless levels of rocks, enemies, and soil for resources, artifacts, and ore. It may take a couple of days for it to be unlocked, but mining here for a few hours a day is a great way to making money while at the same time lay down the groundwork for some late-game upgrades. (Side note: see those little spots on the ground that look like three little worms wiggling around? I don’t want to spoil too much, but these do something.)
2. Set your Focus (and your Rhythm)
In Stardew Valley, you earn experience towards a certain Skill every time you utilize a specific tool, or complete a specific task. These skills can be leveled up and they each come with their own perks. For example, focusing on harvesting crops over raising animals will result in higher prices for the crops you sell, and mining for ore over artifacts will result in higher vein yields. Keep this in mind as you learn all of the game’s different mechanics, and try to figure out which ones you like more.
3. Plan, don’t clean, your Land
Your first impulse on your first day in the Valley might be to start clearing out your farm’s land, but don’t do this for anything other than harvesting for building parts and blueprints, at least until you’ve got a general plan or outline in mind. It may not seem like it at first, but it’s super easy to run out of space, not to mention clutter up an otherwise beautiful layout.
4. Stockpile
Think twice before you start just selling everything little thing you find because some items are super rare and will be called for in blueprints down the road. For example, copper ore might seem like a good source of income at first but the time it will take you to find more once you get deeper in the mines make it something you should definitely start saving. Keep this in mind as you’re growing your collection of items
5. Make Friends
It may be a little overwhelming at first, but try to pick one or two people to start giving gifts. Lots of NPC’s offer various recipes that you can’t find anywhere else, not to mention their stories and cut scenes pretty much make the entire game worth it. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find your soul mate while you’re at it. (Side note: Shane’s not as bad as he seems.)
Joy+Sticks Gaming 