One of the best things about video games is their variety. If players want to spend a few hours blasting their way through space, undertake covert missions in underground enemy bases, or slash through hordes of fantastical creatures, they can. But there's also something to be said for the quieter games that take life at a slower pace and focus on relaxation rather than high-octane action. ConcernedApe's seminal masterpiece Stardew Valley is just such a title, and perfectly encapsulates the comfort gaming experience.
There have been games like Stardew Valley before, and plenty that have been inspired by its particular style and sensibility after its release, but ConcernedApe's impressive release does such a singular job of showing what a relaxing game should accomplish. People that aren't necessarily too familiar with the hobby often have a perception that video games are all guns and violence, but that's only a part of the diverse and creative industry. Violent, action-packed games are available in abundance, and they can be incredibly fun and even thought-provoking in their own way, but in recent years there's also been a rise in smaller, less intense titles that are gaining in popularity and offer players something different.
Low-stakes Gameplay
Modern life is stressful enough as it is, and many players don't need the added pressure of concerns in fictional game worlds weighing them down as well. This is why titles like Stardew Valley are so great, as they provide a kind of low-stakes gameplay that can still present players with enough to do to keep them entertained while not causing anxiety to flourish or adrenaline to pump. Nowadays, there are lots of games that can be therapeutic, comforting, and incredibly wholesome to provide relaxing distractions from everyday life like Thousand Threads, Lake, and Eastshade.
Stardew Valley is a pretty dominant entry in this category of releases as well. Its simplistic but creative and compelling gameplay gives gamers the freedom to do what they want, whether that's getting to know the townsfolk, exploring the different areas around the map, or tending to their farm. If they want to pursue a bit more excitement, they can navigate the caves and indulge in a bit of light combat, but this never feels overly stressful, and the biggest challenge is usually resource management.
The Balance Between Challenging And Stressful
The colorful design, charmingly retro animations, and gentle story with surprising depths all combine to make Stardew Valley not only an excellent game, but also a comforting one. Stardew Valley is open-ended, so even though players are building up their farm and trying to be successful, there aren't any set goals or endpoints as such, which can help gamers go at their own pace and fully shape their own experience. It may seem repetitive, but that can be the beauty of it. It's methodical as well as fulfilling, and players get to simply exist in this beautiful microcosm of life and watch the world go by if they wish, or work to create a community of supportive characters and bucolic charm.
ConcernedApe's farming simulator is one of the best examples out there of a calming, stress-free video game, and it's no wonder why it became so popular and continues to have a dedicated player base to this day. With the one-person development team's next project Haunted Chocolatier on the horizon, fans are looking forward to more of ConcernedApe's signature comforting gameplay. The spiritual successor may have a bit more of a spooky vibe, but from what players have seen so far, it seems like it's in the same vein as Stardew Valley's comfort-focused experience and should provide another effective balm against the anxieties of modern life.
Stardew Valley is available to play on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.