Stardew Valley: info, system requirements, guide and characters
- Platforms: PC
- Developer: ConcernedApe
- Year: 2016
- Genres: Indie, RPG, Simulation
- Tags: Single-player, Multi-player, Co-op, Online Co-op, LAN Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op
- Operating systems: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price comparison
Prices as listed by the stores, updated 2026-10-25. The store price is final.
Stardew Valley: what it is, how long it takes, system requirements, a first-year walkthrough, the main characters and a check on whether your PC can run it.
Overview
Stardew Valley is a farming and life sim written by one developer, Eric Barone (ConcernedApe), and released in 2016. You inherit a run-down farm in Pelican Town and decide how to spend your days: growing crops, raising animals, fishing, mining caves, fighting monsters or building relationships with the townspeople.
There is no single right path. The year is split into four seasons of 28 days each, and a game day is short: a few minutes of real time takes the clock to 2 a.m. That pace is what makes it an easy "one more day" game to get lost in.
It is available on PC, Mac, Linux, consoles and mobile, with co-op multiplayer for shared farms.
Why play it
- A calm pace with no fail state: there is no way to "lose"
- Lots of hours and content, built from small goals that add up
- Friendly to newcomers and rewarding for players who want to optimise everything
- Very low hardware requirements
Quick facts
| Developer and publisher | ConcernedApe (Eric Barone) |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2016 |
| Genre | Farming sim, RPG |
| Modes | Single player and co-op multiplayer |
| Platforms | PC, Mac, Linux, consoles and mobile |
| Playtime | Dozens of hours to finish the community goals; many players go well past that |
Beginner walkthrough
Spring, year 1: starting well
Gather wood and stone first and spend energy on your first crops. Plant the seeds you start with on day one, and split each day's energy between the farm and fishing or mining. Meet every villager early and give small gifts to start building friendships.
Community Center or JojaMart
Most long-term progress comes from Community Center bundles: each bundle asks for certain items, and completing them unlocks new areas around town. You can instead choose JojaMart, which skips the bundles in exchange for payment. Most players pick the Community Center for the content it opens up.
The Mines and Skull Cavern
The Mines supply ore and combat progress. Descend gradually, eat food to recover health, and upgrade tools at Clint's blacksmith. Reaching the bottom of the Mines gives you access to the Skull Cavern in the desert, with bigger rewards and higher risk.
Relationships and marriage
Each villager loves different items, so check their preferences before gifting. Twelve characters can be married. Gifts (up to two a week), special events and completing requests raise friendship until you can propose.
First-year tips
Build a basic fishing routine early, upgrade tools before the house, and pick a farm type that fits your style. Do not stress about optimising: a first playthrough is best spent discovering the game without a guide.
Key characters
- Lewis Mayor
Welcomes you at the start of the game and introduces the town.
- Robin Carpenter
Builds and upgrades farm buildings: coops, barns and a bigger house.
- Marnie Animal rancher
Sells animals and animal supplies.
- Pierre General store owner
Sells seeds and general farm items.
- Clint Blacksmith
Upgrades tools and processes ore.
- Willy Fisherman
Sells fishing gear and teaches the basics of fishing.
- Abigail, Emily, Haley, Leah, Maru, Penny Marriage candidates
Six of the characters you can marry.
- Alex, Elliott, Harvey, Sam, Sebastian, Shane Marriage candidates
The other six characters you can marry.
Our take
Pros
- Deep, content-rich game at a low price
- A relaxing pace with no pressure
- One of the most respected indie games among players
- Long-term support and updates from the developer
Cons
- The start is slow and needs patience
- Easy to get lost among all the options
- Pixel-art style is not for every taste
If you like enjoying a game at your own pace and building something over time, this is one of the best in the genre. If you want fast action, another game will suit you better.
Quick check
This check compares memory and disk space only. Compare your CPU and graphics card with the requirements above manually.Minimum requirements
Minimum: OS *: Windows Vista or greater Processor: 2 Ghz Memory: 2 GB RAM Graphics: 256 mb video memory, shader model 3.0+ DirectX: Version 10 Storage: 500 MB available space
FAQ
Does Stardew Valley need a powerful PC?
No. The minimum requirements are very low: 2 GB of memory, 500 MB of disk space and a 2 GHz processor. Almost any PC from recent years runs it.
How long does it take to finish?
It depends on your style. Completing the Community Center usually takes several dozen hours, and many players keep going far beyond that.
Can I play with friends?
Yes. The game includes co-op multiplayer where several players share one farm.
Which platform is best?
It is available on PC, Mac, Linux and consoles. The PC version is usually the first to receive updates.
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