Ever wish you could get away from the craziness of real life? Escape the countryside and live the farm life? Or do you just wish to grow a small monopoly on potato farming? Stardew Valley is a farming SIM created by indie developer Eric Barone. It puts you in the shoes of a farmer in a small town full of lively Non-Player Characters (NPCs). It is full of activities for you to accomplish. You can grow and harvest your crops for profit, or you can interact with the unique characters, each with his or her own story.

You might even choose to take it slow and invest in hobbies such as fishing or foraging. You start this game as a tired office worker in a big city. Your character is entirely your own, with a vast range of customizations available. As an office worker, you receive a note from your late grandfather from whom you inherit a farm. You arrive at your farm (whose layout can be chosen from a simple lakeside farm to a challenging, yet rewarding forest farm) and are greeted by Mayor Lewis, the local mayor, who tells you about this town and some possible activities.

You only start with a little – the most basic tools and some starter plants – but it’s not hard to get started. This game uses a time system of days and seasons, with a single day taking 12 minutes and a season lasting 28 in-game days. In spring, while it may be the best time for growing bountiful crops, you might want to focus more on fishing or conquering the sinister and challenging mine, a leveled dungeon that focuses on the combat aspect of this game. Each day will bring something new to the table and keep you interested. Stardew Valley has many accolades to its name, receiving a 10/10 on Steam and a 9.5/10 by IGN. This game also holds many rewards such as the “best Breakthrough game of the year 2016.” It has sold over 3.5 million copies and its loyal fans have stuck with this game for five years.

I personally could not recommend this game more. It’s an addicting progression system and the relaxing atmosphere kept making me say, “One more day.”. While the unique season may bring their limitations, they keep this game from feeling redundant. I can recall gathering money, debating whether to talk to my favorite NPC around town to build relationships (which will often lead to rewards down the line), or take on fishing to earn money to purchase more crops.Especially during this quarantine, this game is a fun experience. Is it a break from reality is sometimes all you need.

You can even call your friends in and start a Co-op farm, where you all work together to build a successful farm. Stardew Valley is a game worth picking up. The console edition is only $15 and the mobile version will only set you back $8. Even after five years, this game is still receiving attention and content from its dedicated developer, with new stuff being added often. While it does have its simple yet unique art style it can still be very immersive. Stardew Valley is a charming game for fans of any genre and it's worth picking up if anyone is looking for a new game to play.