3) Stardew Valley
Inspired by the NES classic, Harvest Moon, indie game designer Eric Barone’s Stardew Valley is a farming simulation RPG. This endearing 2D game is big on content, with a simple but hugely addictive gameplay loop accounting for around 100 hours in length.
Essentially, Stardew Valley is about making money: upgrading your farm, collecting rewards, and unlocking more content. It sounds simple, but the complexity of the game is that everything in Stardew Valley is masterfully intertwined. While the main gameplay premise is to manage a productive day on the farm, there’s much more to it than that. Exploring mines, combating enemies and importantly, forming relationships with townsfolk comprises a separate portion of the game.
[zergpaid]Fighting monsters for resources can be allocated for the farm or they can be used to unlock new areas for exploration. Combat, like the farming itself, is a simplistic grind, but it never feels too much like a chore because there’s always the prospect of a greater reward just around the corner.
Yet, it’s the bonds formed with the NPC’s of the town that comprises one of the game’s most interesting aspects. Pelican Town is complicated in politics, and though the act of forming relationships itself is simplistic, the romances and diversity of issues that flesh out each relationship give depth to the characters.
Stardew Valley is a title that is both exciting and compelling without being stressful. Its charming 2D aesthetic and cheerful score make it a pretty relaxing, feel good experience, and while it might not look like much, it’s a game brimming with content that will have you utterly hooked.