Since its release in 2016, hit indie farming simulator Stardew Valley has dropped players off on a small plot of land, leaving them to grow crops and build relationships with townsfolk. Along the way, players will level up their skills, slay monsters (after eating a hearty meal, of course) and marry an NPC if desired. With hours of content and the ability to play the game however you see fit, it’s easy to miss a lot of content during your first playthrough.
Stardew Valley is, on the surface, a game that is all about farming. Even so, there is so much to explore and do that you’ll find yourself playing this game for a second, third, or fourth time, still finding new things to enjoy.
Updated February 3, 2022, by Jessica Filby: Although rather unsuspecting, the adorable world of Stardew Valley is filled with secrets. Some will just improve the lore, others could potentially be game-changing, and are all discoverable in a variety of ways! Some of them you’ll end up stumbling upon during the 100 hours you’ll likely end up playing, since Stardew is undeniably addictive. However, others, you may only notice if you have an eagle eye, or if you’ve heard it from other die-hard fans.
15 The Wizards Daughter
You’ll likely know a little about this hidden fact, especially if you prefer to get to know and befriend every NPC in the game. It requires befriending the Wizard, ia process during which you learn of why he even came to Stardew Valley in the first place; to find his long-lost daughter.
A few chats with the Wizard, Pierre, Caroline, and Abigail will quickly allow you to piece together the facts and come to the conclusion that Abigail is likely to be the Wizard’s daughter. After all, the fact that they both have purple hair, and there seems to be talk of an affair, makes it pretty obvious evidence when it’s all put together.
14 The Greenhouse
Ever build the greenhouse really early on into the game then get frustrated at where it’s been placed because now you have to build your entire farm around it? If this is the case, then why not just move it to a better location?
Speak to Robin, and she’ll happily move your greenhouse. It’s almost frustratingly simple, especially after spending all that time working around the useful building. Unfortunately, you still can’t move your house, so you’ll still have to work around one part.
13 Ginger Island Scarecrows
Scarecrows are vital on the main farm, if you don’t have them then it’s almost guaranteed you’ll end up losing some crops to the pesky birds. They’re easy to make and simple to get hold of (during events and such), you even get a reward for collecting all the scarecrows, adding a nice aspect for the collectors.
That being said, the importance of scarecrows on the main island doesn’t actually translate to Ginger Island. It isn’t the most obvious aspect of Stardew Valley but is one you’ll definitely need to know. You don’t need scarecrows on Ginger Island.
12 Ginger Island’s Weed Problem
It’s easy to think that because you don’t need any scarecrows, you don’t need to worry about any of the typical frustrations that come with looking after a farm. However, when it comes to Ginger Island, all bets are off, especially for weeds.
The main frustration of any farmer is weeds, they pollute your farm and can be a costly mistake if you aren’t prepared enough to keep them away. These precautions are much harder when you’re on Ginger Island since the weeds are a lot more powerful and quick. The best way to do so is to place down a double line of paths around your farmland. This will stop the weeds from creeping any further.
11 The Fortune Teller
Ever find that on one day you head into the mine and find you get bombarded by horrible enemies, and never seem to find any useful gems? Then the next day you head back into the same mine and find no enemies and tons of prismatic shards? That’s the luck talking.
Luck is something you can get more or less of in Stardew Valley, and you can find out what it will be by watching the TV. The fortune-teller isn’t just a fun little program, it actually tells you what kind of success you will have on that day. So check it in the morning.
10 Pam’s Sad Backstory
It’s easy to miss a lot of the NPCs’ stories in the game, and Pam’s is no different. Anyone who walks by her humble abode can see that she lives with her daughter, Penny. If you dig a little deeper, though, you’ll learn just how sad her life is. Fans learn through playing the game that she’s unable to work because the bus is broken. As a result, Pam spends most of her day in her trailer and then makes her way to the saloon.
She is often found there washing her sorrows away. Her life is so in need of an upgrade that you can actually complete a community upgrade to help her out. While she herself is hard to miss, only those that seek out Pam and cultivate this relationship will learn more about her.
9 Visiting The Dwarf
First-time players can easily miss the disconcerting dwarf in the mine (one of the game’s many dark secrets) near the adventurer’s guild. The purple rock off to the right side is easily overlooked, but it’s the key to discovering this curious character.
Typically, you’d need to get an upgraded pickaxe to finally break down the sturdy rock and meet the dwarf, but lots of fans don’t know that there’s another way. A cherry bomb will also break that boulder right down.
8 Beds Are Movable
Have you upgraded your entire farmhouse from top to bottom, only to discover that the bed is in the worst place ever? In older versions of the game, players were only able to move certain furniture items around to customize their homes, and the bed wasn’t one of those items.
Since the 1.5 update, you can move your bed anywhere in the farmhouse and even remove it altogether. Doing so, of course, would probably cause the protagonist a few problems when they need to sleep.
7 Advanced Options
Players who start a new game with the new 1.5 update may only know about the local split-screen options since those have been shown off extensively. However, other important new options give you some additional content to play around with.
There is the option to make the red cabbage seed show up in year one, guaranteed completion of the community center in the first year, and bundles can be randomized. You can completely miss these options if you’re playing an old game file, though, so those who want to use them may need to start a new one.
6 Pet Adoption
Early in the game, Marnie will show up outside your door unannounced and ask if you would like to adopt a pet. If you say yes, you get to keep a pet on your farm. If you say no, then that is all it takes for Marnie to disappear with the pet for good.
Once you pick no, Marnie will never again show up to their farm with an animal buddy in tow. As a result, this is an easily missed opportunity, even if a lot of players don’t know it.
5 Heart Events
Some players really don’t care for the townsfolk or the events that take place in their lives, preferring to spend their time cultivating their farm. If you would like to get to know everyone and become a little closer to a few of the unattached NPCs in town, though, Stardew Valley heart events become very important.
If you’re wondering if you can miss the heart events, you’re in luck. For the most part, heart events aren’t missable. Beware, though: there are actually three you can miss. If you buy the community upgrade, then you’ll miss Penny’s heart event. Players who’ve experienced Emily’s heart events (eighth or tenth) cannot see Clint’s sixth heart event. Finally, Sam’s heart event can only take place in the first year.
4 Strange Statues
There are three mysterious statues you can earn once the unreadable lost book is found. When you work out the code, they’ll learn which items they’ll have to bring to the three hidden locations throughout the town.
After collecting all three, these curious items are unlocked. They’re just one more fascinating mystery hidden away within Stardew Valley. Their purpose? You can use them as very quirky decorations in homes.
3 The Purple Shorts
In the first year, Mayor Lewis asks you to find his lucky purple shorts. After searching everywhere, you will find them in Marnie’s home, right behind the door. Of course, once these lucky shorts are found, fans will probably want to take them directly to Mayor Lewis to collect their reward.
While this may be tempting, it’s also possible to keep the shorts and add them to the fair display. When you add them to the display, Mayor Lewis will get uncharacteristically mad. He’ll then demand that you never “speak” of this situation again. You can also put them in the pot luck soup, although that goes as well as you’d expect, it is hilarious though.
2 Junimo Plush
The Junimo Plush is easily missed, simply because the instructions to find it are written on a secret note. Those who are looking for more furniture to add to their growing collection will want to seek it out, however.
Every 28th day of the season exactly at 12:00 p.m, you can get a Junimo Plush if you shake the bush right above the playground. For completionists, this easily missable item is worth the search.
1 Fishing At The Lonely Stone
Many players are aware that the lonely stone makes noises when it’s clicked on, but something far more interesting happens when you cast your fishing rod directly in line with this rock.
Usually, the quality of a catch when fishing varies from a regular one to purple star quality. This isn’t a factor when you’re fishing at the lonely stone, though. Every time you cast your rod directly on the stone, a high-quality fish is caught each time.
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