Cozy games are classified as “cozy” for a reason. They are largely meant to be highly accessible experiences that put very little pressure on players to do one thing or another, all while generally being as shallow as possible to avoid any confusion about their worlds and narratives. This allows players to pick them up and put them down with ease, never starting a play session out of obligation but primarily out of a desire to briefly escape the chaos of their own world for some time in a less demanding virtual reality where even the most mundane tasks are fulfilling.ConcernedApe’s popular farming simgame, on the other hand, is a different story.
Despite being a cozy game itself,Stardew Valleydigs far past the surface that most other games in the genre tend to favor, with much more than mere satisfying gameplay to offer.Stardew Valleyhas an extensive amount of lore hidden in its world, despite being one of the most relaxing games of the last decade. In a way, it isStardew Valley’s penchant for keeping secrets that makes its lore all the more intriguing, and it is this quality that ultimately sets it apart from other games in its genre and effectively establishes a blueprint that future cozy games would be remiss not to follow.
Future Cozy Games Should Observe Stardew Valley’s Approach to Lore
Stardew Valley’s Lore Has a Surprising Amount of Depth to It
While more casualStardew Valleyfans may not be aware of just how deep its lore goes, the popular cozy game’s hardcore audience has been entertaining theories and keeping discussions ongoing for years.Stardew Valley’s Pelican Townis chock-full of secrets, and its residents are not excluded from that. In fact, much ofStardew Valley’s lore can only be uncovered by gaining affinity with its characters and then speaking with them or witnessing their heart events. For example, one ofStardew Valley’s most popular theories involves the identity of the Wizard’s daughter.
As players develop their relationship withthe Wizard inStardew Valley, he reveals that he has reason to believe one of the residents of Pelican Town is his daughter.
Over the years,Stardew Valley’s biggest fans have decided this is most likely Abigail, as her mother, Caroline, talks about taking “secret walks to the Wizard’s tower” when she and her husband, Pierre, first arrived in Pelican Town. This, in addition to Abigail being very different from Pierre, her father, who also mentions at one point that Abigail looks nothing like him, all but confirms she is the Wizard’s daughter. This is all a great example of howStardew Valleyunveils its lore — rarely being outright about it, requiring quite a bit of investment from players, and always leaving them guessing in the end.
Stardew Valley Only Subtly Hints at the Lore Beneath Its Surface
While attempting to mirrorStardew Valley’s love for lorewould be beneficial for any future cozy game, it is the game’s methodical approach to revealing its lore that should be considered.Stardew Valleyis seldom upfront about itself and prefers to keep its cards close to its chest, much like its developer, Eric Barone, is with his games. However,Stardew Valleyhas ultimately benefited from this strategy, as hardcore fans of the game have essentially kept it alive through the years by continuing to dissect its world and uncover its many mysteries.
If futurecozy gamescan glean anything fromStardew Valley, it is this affinity for the cryptic, this reluctance to be exposed, as it establishes a much larger world than the one readily seen on the screen. This not only encourages long-term investment from its players but also allowsStardew Valleyto maintain its cozy facade and highly accessible nature for those who prefer a shallow, surface-level experience.
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!
