Summary
Stardew Valley, despite being released over eight years ago, will be getting a new, significant update on March 19. While fans have had an idea of what this upcoming 1.6 update will entail, thanks to a sneak peek last year,Stardew Valleycreator ConcernedApe recently statedthat there is “a lot more of the update than people think.” While ConcernedApe is being a bit coy when it comes to the nitty-gritty details of 1.6, it’s clear that the update is going to be a big one.
One of the most highly anticipated aspects of the update is the new late-game content that has been teased.Stardew Valleyis a game that is theoretically endless, but once players meet certain goals, like maxing out their relationship with every villager, collecting every item, and fully upgrading their farm and the Community Center, there isn’t a whole lot more to do. Of course, this isn’t a major issue for most players, as it can take well over 100 hours to complete all the content available in the base game, and post-launch features like co-op have only further increasedStardew’s longevity. And yet, more late game content is imminent, and there are a few different ways this content could manifest.
What’s Coming to Stardew Valley’s Late Game
Stardew Valley’s Skill Areas Will Be Expanded
Of the features that areconfirmed to come withStardew Valley’s 1.6 update, the expansion of the game’s core skill areas is among the most promising. There are five core skill categories inStardew Valley, and progression in these categories adds some light RPG elements to the game, as players will unlock new perks and crafting recipes with each level. The five skills inStardew Valleyare:
With these skills confirmed to be getting expanded via the new late-game content from the upcoming patch, it seems likely that players will be able to unlock new abilities, stat boosts, or craftable objects related to the game’s core activities. This could serve asa major shake-up toStardew Valley’slate game, as players will be offered new avenues for improvement. Fleshing out these skills could imply the inclusion of more incentives for progression, meaning new rewards and milestones for farming, mining, and so on.
Update 1.6 Will Add More Joja Content
Joja Corp is the insidious and heartless corporate antagonist ofStardew Valley, and perhaps the biggest reason to start a totally fresh playthrough: while players can choose to improve Pelican Town by turning items into the Community Center, they are also offered the choice toside with Joja Corpand transform the Center into a warehouse. The biggest change that comes with choosing the Joja path is that, rather than having to turn in bundles of goods to complete Community Center projects, players can simply turn in requisite amounts of gold. Also, players can unlock a Joja Cola vending machine for their home. Otherwise, the game is mostly the same.
The Update 1.6 sneak peek revealed that there will be new “Joja alternatives added to some of the end-game quests.” This could mean different character interactions, rewards, or cutscenes based on the player’s decision to align with Joja, as the company represents theantithesis ofStardew Valley’s major themes. This would be a welcome addition, as the current late-game content feels geared more toward players who choose to side with the Community Center and reject Joja.
Ultimately, it’s hard to accurately predict what update 1.6’s new endgame content will look like. It will certainly involve Joja Corp in some way and expand the player-character’s skills, but the extent of these new additions remains to be seen. Either way, it’s apparent thatStardew Valley’s 1.6 update is going to be a big one, and its ambition will hopefully mean a considerably upgraded endgame.
Stardew Valley
WHERE TO PLAY
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
