Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the mastermind behind the beloved Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of creating a sequel, aptly named Stardew Valley 2. During an insightful interview with TigerBelly, Barone shared his thoughts on the future of the franchise, while tempering fans' excitement with a dose of reality. He explained that expanding the current game is far simpler than starting anew, stating, "It's so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch."

Barone elaborated on the ease of updating Stardew Valley, mentioning how existing systems allow for the addition of whimsical elements like "green rain." Yet, he did not rule out the idea of a sequel entirely, admitting, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest." This statement, as reported by Nintendo Life, has certainly stirred anticipation among fans.

In the same interview, Barone expressed his desire to not be pigeonholed as just "the Stardew Valley guy," which is why he is currently focused on his next project, Haunted Chocolatier. However, he cautioned that fans shouldn't hold their breath for a release date anytime soon, as there is "still a lot to be done" to ensure it surpasses the quality of Stardew Valley.

When Stardew Valley was first reviewed by us back in 2016, it received an impressive score of 8.8, earning the label "Great." Fast forward to 2024, and our revisit of the game resulted in an even higher accolade: a perfect 10/10, dubbing it a "masterpiece." We noted, "Stardew Valley is not only the best farming game I’ve played, it is one of my favorite games of all time. That myself and others keep returning to this eight-year-old gem each time it gets even the smallest update speaks to how it’s truly a masterpiece in the genre it both reinvigorated and has come to define."

For those looking to dive into or deepen their experience with Stardew Valley, our fully updated Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide for the 2024 1.6 update covers everything from new crops and fish to engaging Raccoon Family Quests, which unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. Veteran players aiming to further their skills can refer to our Mastery Points guide, while those exploring Ginger Island will find our guide on locating all Golden Walnuts invaluable.