While it's entirely possible for players to dive right into Stardew Valley with its default farm layout, with so many different farms to choose from now, not trying a new game with something different is almost criminal. Each of these farms not only offers a different arrangement of land, but revolves around a unique theme. The Forest Farm, for example, offers ample opportunities for players to forage, with renewable stumps and grassy areas. Then there's the Wilderness Farm, which is combat-focused due to the monsters that spawn at night. Regardless of which Stardew Valley farm players end up choosing in the end, they can be sure it will offer them a distinct experience.
However, one farm from the bunch isn't for everyone, as it offers a challenge that the other farms don't. Sure, the Wilderness Farm does see occasional monster invasions, but the challenge of the farm in question actually centers around one of the most fundamental aspects of Stardew Valley's gameplay. Ironically, though, it's actually that slight curve in difficulty that makes it so much fun. Essentially, it turns farm life in Stardew Valley into a puzzle of sorts, in addition to offering players seamless access to one of the game's most relaxing activities.
The Biggest Draw of Stardew Valley's Riverland Farm Is Its Biggest Problem
How Limited Space Changes Everything
As is the case with every farm life sim game, an integral part of the Stardew Valley experience is its farming gameplay loop, and that's what makes the Riverland Farm such a compelling choice for players. The Riverland Farm is perhaps the most distinctive farm layout in Stardew Valley, as it is composed mostly of water, leaving very little farming space for players to utilize for crops. Rather than relying on crops as a source of income, then, players are encouraged to find other means, with selling the fish they catch being the most obvious choice.
Such limited farmland makes Stardew Valley's Riverland Farm one big puzzle where players really have to consider what they're planting, where they're planting it, and how much to plant. "Efficiency" becomes the name of the game here, as players can't simply dig out a 10x10 space for crops and then extract a major profit from them once they're ready for harvest. To make it all even more difficult, the land space itself is oddly shaped, putting the organizational skills of perfectionist players to the test.
Why It's Worth Mastering the Map's Challenges
At first, the Riverland Farm can feel somewhat unforgiving. Without enough room for large crop fields, and with so much of the player's farmland broken up by water, it's easy for players to feel like they're falling behind. However, if they stick with it long enough, they'll adapt, and the map will feel like one of the most rewarding Stardew Valley experiences they've ever had. The reward itself is the accomplishment that comes from careful planning that eventually pays off, especially in comparison to the game's other farm layouts.
Over time, it all adds up to something bigger. By the end of the first in-game year, players who stick with the Riverland Farm may find that they've developed better strategies, better resource management skills, and a deeper appreciation for Stardew Valley's variety. It's one of those challenges that can make anyone a better Stardew Valley player, to the point that they can tackle anything the game throws at them. If nothing else, they can potentially have one of the most distinctive-looking farms in the community, as the beauty of the surrounding water offers an aesthetic that other layouts simply cannot rival.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- February 26, 2016
- ESRB
- E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
