Stardew Valley, a beloved farming and dating simulator, has soared to become the top-selling game on Steam. Despite its charming pixelated aesthetics, it offers a rich and vibrant world ripe for exploration, combat, growth, and romance. Brimming with quests, hidden surprises, and memorable characters, some of whom remain elusive until later stages, Stardew Valley is an enthralling experience. With the recent Stardew Valley 1.6 update, players can dive into even more late-game adventures.

However, one challenge players face is the game’s timeline, which spans just two in-game years. With certain settings, players can complete the entire storyline within the first year. Upon reaching Spring 1 of Year 3, progression halts as players receive an evaluation at Grandpa’s shrine. At this juncture, new content ceases, and dialogue becomes repetitive, tempting players to either set the game aside or start anew. Nonetheless, despite these limitations, Stardew Valley remains rich in content even in its later stages.

Updated on March 25, 2024, by Andrea Sandoval: Stardew Valley continues to captivate players with its timeless appeal, as ConcernedApe consistently introduces new activities to keep the game fresh. This article has been revised to highlight additional late-game pursuits available in Stardew Valley following the 1.6 update.

1. A Brand-New Three-Day Spring Event Is Called The Desert Festival

The Desert Festival features a multitude of activities, including challenges, mining expeditions, costume changes, betting on races, gourmet delights from a chef, and diverse shops.

The introduction of the Stardew Valley 1.6 update brings forth an exceptional new festival. Notably, this marks the first festival in the game that requires players to fulfill specific missions before gaining entry. Those who have already repaired the broken bus near their farm now have access to Calico Desert.

While some players may undertake this mission at different stages of the game, the festival itself unfolds exclusively during the spring season in Calico Desert. Upon completing this prerequisite task, players can partake in the festivities held on the 15th, 16th, and 17th of Spring. The festival offers a plethora of enjoyable activities and collectible Stardew Valley Items. Additionally, with its array of attractions, players may find themselves returning to the festival year after year.

2. Rewards For Daily Activities Are Given Away By The Mastery Cave

The Mastery Cave offers rewards for various activities, such as farming, mining, foraging, fishing, and combat. However, players can accumulate Mastery Points by engaging in any of these tasks.

With the release of the Stardew Valley 1.6 update, Grandpa surprises the farmer with yet another remarkable gift. Observant players may have noticed a newly appeared door in the southeast of Cindersap Forest, near the sewer entrance. Upon mastering all their skills, players gain access to this small room.

Within the room lie five shrines that the farmer can unlock by amassing Mastery Points. Their efforts are then rewarded with exclusive late-game items designed to simplify life on the farm. However, players should be aware that accumulating a sufficient number of Mastery Points can be time-consuming due to their high requirement. Additionally, since the cost of claiming prizes increases with each acquisition, players should prioritize their preferred rewards.

3. The Largest Content Update That Stardew Valley Has Ever Released Was Ginger Island

Access to Ginger Island is restricted until players have completed the Community Center or purchased every upgrade from JojaMart.

Primarily designed as a late-game destination, Ginger Island can be accessed earlier, although its full potential is realized later on. On this additional map, a unique system operates where Golden Walnuts are exchanged to unlock new areas, shops, and interactions with Pelican Town villagers.

Furthermore, the Island Farm provides additional space for cultivation, functioning akin to the greenhouse, allowing year-round planting. Access to sleeping quarters on the island can be unlocked using Golden Walnuts. Additionally, players can discover new trees and introduce a novel animal species to their main farm.

4. It’s Fun To Complete Mr. Qi’s Mysterious Quests

The Walnut Room, a hidden chamber on Ginger Island, becomes inaccessible once players have collected 100 golden walnuts.

Mr. Qi remains a recurring figure throughout the game, leaving notes, hints, and quests scattered throughout the world. Twice during gameplay, players encounter Mr. Qi’s invitation to embark on questlines, one of which leads to 100% completion of the game and rewards the player with new items for their farm.

The initial set of quests prompts players to explore the world, following clues and completing tasks to unlock the casino in the desert. The subsequent series of challenges from Mr. Qi tasks players with completing the game in its entirety. Additionally, Mr. Qi motivates players to reach level 100 of the Skull Cavern, a daunting feat. Despite the challenges he presents, Mr. Qi always ensures that his endeavors are rewarding.

5. Gamers Can Express Their Affection By Filling Each Person’s Heart To The Brim 

Players can freely pursue romantic relationships with all available characters without encountering any issues. The only potential exception occurs during specific cutscenes that may take place in Emily’s house or The Stardrop Saloon, where interactions among characters could lead to conflict. However, players can prevent this by carrying a Rabbit’s Foot item, which ensures that characters do not become upset.

To foster positive relationships with all residents of Stardew Valley, players should aim to befriend everyone in town. This can be achieved by regularly giving presents to each character at least twice a week, engaging in conversations whenever possible, and attending Friday night gatherings at the saloon. Additionally, players should attempt to interact with every character, including Gunther, by standing on the opposite side of the counter and urging them to socialize. It’s important to note that even characters like Marlon and Gus from the Adventurer’s Guild should be approached for friendship, especially considering Marlon’s participation in festivals; their reluctance to befriend the player is not acceptable.

When it comes to romantic connections, players may run into a potential roadblock in Stardew Valley since marriage hopefuls may stop at eight hearts when they receive a bouquet and go on a date. This could result in embarrassing circumstances, particularly if making friends with every character was the main objective. Players can lessen this problem by carrying a Rabbit's Foot, which will guarantee that every character maintains their maximum heart rate and will help them build good relationships with everyone in the community.

6. Constructing Custom Artisan Sheds Can Bring In A Lot Of Money

Sheds require 15,000g and 300 Wood to construct, while Big Sheds demand 20,000g, 550 Wood, and 300 Stone.

Begin by constructing a shed and then proceed to Robin for the upgrade. Following her completion, albeit with some considerable time, decorate the shed and fill it entirely with a single type of artisan maker. Whether it’s kegs, preserve jars, looms, or any other, each shed can accommodate up to 137 makers when arranged optimally. Erect a sign outside and ensure a steady flow of ingredients into the makers for continuous cash generation.

Despite other buildings, like coops or cabins being more economical, sheds maintain the farm’s overall aesthetic while offering ample customizable space. Furthermore, with the substantial income generated, players might indulge in frivolous spending. This approach will prove especially advantageous for players aiming to acquire new items introduced in the Stardew Valley 1.6 update.

7. The Risk Of Ransacking Skull Cavern Pays Off Richly

The Skull Cavern is situated within Calico Desert and becomes accessible only after repairing the town bus.

At the deepest depths of the local mines lies a key, serving a dual purpose. This key not only unlocks the Junimo Kart arcade game in the Saloon, but also grants entry to the treacherous Skull Cavern in the desert. While navigating this formidable set of mines presents a significant challenge, venturing to lower levels yields substantial rewards. On reaching level 100, players may encounter Mr. Qi, who offers commentary based on their descent. Delve deep enough, and the cavern’s abundance of gems and iridium ore awaits.

Adding to the complexity, Mr. Qi presents a special challenge for those who gain access to the Walnut Room on Ginger Island. Referred to as “Qi’s Hungry Challenge,” players undertake a significantly more perilous version of the Skull Cavern, testing their skills and resilience even further.

8. Players Can Display Their Discoveries By Completing The Museum Collection

Museum items can be obtained through various activities such as fishing, mining, and digging across the island.

Completing the museum collection is a component of the completionist quest assigned by Mr. Qi, although almost every conceivable task falls under his purview. However, the satisfaction derived from vigorously cracking open geodes, unearthing worms, or engaging in combat until Harvey expresses concern about the farmer's well-being remains undiminished.

What Mr. Qi hasn't accounted for in his schemes is the aspect of aesthetic appeal. By interacting with the papers on Gunther's desk, players can reorganize the museum to their liking. Arranging exhibits by rainbow order, grouping artifacts together in one area, placing rare gems in another section, and mundane gems elsewhere are all options to enhance the museum's visual presentation.

9. Take Over The Berries As The Overlord And Sell Off Tons Of Artisan Items

While berries are relatively inexpensive, they yield plentiful harvests. Players can utilize them to craft juice or preserve them in jars. Some players opt to cultivate vast fields of Ancient Fruit, one of the more lucrative crops available.

Few things rival the satisfaction of tending to expansive fields of high-yield crops like berries and witnessing the fruits of one's labor on harvest day. As the berries are harvested, they scatter like coins from a slot machine jackpot, evoking images of the farmer dashing through the fields in a frenzy of picking.

Following the harvest, the abundance of berries can be processed in a vast array of kegs, casks, and preserved jars to create even more valuable products. Players can choose to sell any gold or iridium-starred items directly, envisioning Mayor Lewis's reaction as he repeatedly encounters hundreds of berries awaiting shipment in the bin.

10. Maximize Your Energy By Locating Every Stardrop 

The Stardrop fruit boosts the player's maximum energy by 34 points, significantly aiding in the completion of activities throughout the day.

Stardrops are delightful collectibles that grant players additional energy each time one is discovered. While most can be found incidentally while undertaking other tasks, a few are discreetly hidden on the map. Furthermore, some Stardrops are only attainable once the player reaches specific achievements.

Additionally, there is a secret Easter Egg related to Stardrops. During character creation, if certain items are added to the favorites section, it triggers unique dialogue. However, players should ensure that the chosen item is edible, as otherwise, the dialogue may veer into odd territory, discussing the taste of the selected non-edible item.

11. Growing A Huge Orchard Is Both Decorative And Useful

It takes 28 days for trees to reach full maturity, and certain varieties only bear fruit during specific seasons.

Fruit trees require an entire season to mature and will yield fruit only during the appropriate season thereafter. On farms with limited space for cultivation, such as the Beach Farm, fruit trees provide a consistent source of income that requires minimal maintenance aside from harvesting. Moreover, they add a majestic aesthetic to the farm.

With the addition of Ginger Island, players can create immensely gratifying orchards of fruit trees. Additionally, by affixing tappers to clusters of wild trees, players can harvest Maple Syrup, Pine Tar, and Oak Resin for various purposes. The harvested fruit can also be processed into juice or jam, offering a reliable source of income.

12. Make The Prettiest Farm Is The Ultimate Long-Game Adventure 

At Pierre's Store, players can obtain a Catalogue for 30,000g, granting unlimited access to wallpapers and floorings. Alternatively, at Robin's Carpentry, players can acquire a Furniture Catalogue for 200,000g, offering unlimited furniture options.

With these catalogs available at Robin's or Pierre's (or Joja Mart for those following that path), players can freely acquire decorative items without additional expenditure. This means that they can change their style countless times without incurring any extra costs. The expansion introduced in Stardew Valley 1.6 further enlarges the house, providing even more space for decorating.

However, there remain certain items that are limited and can only be acquired during festivals or through other means. Therefore, players should actively seek out these items by visiting the Night Market for daily new paintings, frequenting the Traveling Cart, fishing in the Secret Woods, and cultivating friendships with all the townsfolk. This comprehensive approach ensures players can collect every available item and create the most aesthetically pleasing farm both inside and out.