Stardew Valley Review: 10 Years On

Level 3 Review Lesson by: Aron Thode Source: playcritically.com

Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It

A farm scene from the game Stardew Valley.
A farm scene in Stardew Valley.

Stardew Valley is a farm life role-playing game that came out in 2016. In 2026, it reaches the 10-year mark, so this is a good time to review it again. You play as a worker who leaves a stressful office job and moves to an old family farm. From there, you grow crops, raise animals, fish, mine, and build friendships in Pelican Town.

The best part is freedom. You can plan each day in different ways, and the game rewards small progress. The music, pixel art, and seasonal festivals create a cozy feeling that stays strong for many hours. Town characters also have clear personalities, so relationships feel important. For PC players, mods can add replay value by changing graphics, balance, or story content.

However, not everything works perfectly. After the early game, some systems become too easy, especially when sprinklers do most crop watering. The stamina limit matters at first, but later it often feels unimportant. Making friends can also feel repetitive because giving gifts improves relationships very quickly.

Overall, Stardew Valley still holds up very well after ten years. It has deep content, a low price, and strong replay value. Even with a few design issues, it remains one of the best farm simulation games you can play today.

Vocab List

  • crop (n.) — A plant that farmers grow for food or sale.
  • progress (n.) — Movement toward a goal through small improvements.
  • repetitive (adj.) — Done again and again in the same way.
  • freedom (n.) — The power to choose what you want to do.
  • festival (n.) — A special event where people celebrate.
  • stamina (n.) — The physical energy to continue doing hard work.
  • sprinkler (n.) — A farm tool that waters crops automatically.
  • graphics (n.) — The visual images and style in a video game.
  • replay value (n.) — How worthwhile a game is to play again.
  • hold up (v.) — To stay good or effective over time.

Speaker: American Male  Duration: 1:43

YouTube link

Listen and fill the gaps below:

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:

Stardew Valley is a farm life role-playing (1) __________ that came out in 2016. In 2026, it reaches the 10-year mark, so this is a good time to (2) __________ it again. You play as a worker who leaves a stressful office job and moves to an old family farm. From there, you grow crops, raise animals, fish, mine, and build friendships in Pelican Town. The best part is (3) __________. You can plan each day in different ways, and the game rewards small progress. The music, pixel art, and seasonal (4) __________ create a cozy feeling that stays strong for many hours. Town characters also have clear personalities, so relationships feel important. For PC players, mods can add replay value by changing graphics, balance, or story content. However, not everything works perfectly. After the early game, some systems become too (5) __________, especially when sprinklers do most crop watering. The stamina limit matters at first, but later it often feels unimportant. Making friends can also feel repetitive because giving gifts improves relationships very quickly. Overall, Stardew Valley still holds up very well after ten years. It has deep content, a (6) __________ price, and strong replay value. Even with a few design issues, it remains one of the best farm simulation games you can play today.
True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • Stardew Valley first came out in 2016.
    The review says the game came out in 2016.
  • The review says mods are not useful on PC.
    The review says mods add value and can change many parts of play.
  • The review says the stamina limit matters more in the late game.
    The review says stamina matters at first, but later it often feels unimportant.
  • The review says Stardew Valley is still one of the best farm simulation games.
    The final paragraph says it remains one of the best farm simulation games today.

True or False

1. Stardew Valley first came out in 2016. T / F

2. The review says mods are not useful on PC. T / F

3. The review says the stamina limit matters more in the late game. T / F

4. The review says Stardew Valley is still one of the best farm simulation games. T / F

Review Breakdown

Read each statement. Write the letter in the correct group below.

  1. The review says multiplayer is the most important feature of the game.
  2. The review says daily freedom is the best part of the game.
  3. The review says the game is expensive and not worth buying.
  4. The music, pixel art, and festivals create a cozy feeling.
  5. Overall, the review says Stardew Valley still holds up very well after ten years.
  6. The gift system can feel repetitive because giving gifts improves relationships very quickly.
  7. Sprinklers can make crop work feel too easy later in the game.
  8. Stardew Valley is a farm life role-playing game.

Description: _______________

Good / Bad points: _______________

Final opinion: _______________

Not in the review: _______________

Words That Go Together

Loading vocabulary activity...

Words That Go Together

Match each word with the words it goes with:

1. Grow

2. Raise

3. Build

4. Plan

5. Add

6. Leave

a) a job

b) value

c) each day

d) friendships

e) animals

f) crops

Discussion Builder

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. The review says player freedom is a key strength. Players can plan each day in different ways ________ there are many task options.

    because / but / so / and

  2. The review gives good points first, then mentions some problems. ________ the writer says some systems feel too easy in the late game.

    Also, / For example, / But, / So,

  3. The final opinion is positive, but not perfect. The game has deep content, ________ it still has a few design issues.

    and / because / but / so

Sentence Unscramble

  1. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. is B. that C. feels D. I like it E. rewarding. F. small progress G. One reason

  2. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. many new games, B. better value C. for D. Compared with E. it offers F. money.

  3. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. I can see B. some problems, C. cozy D. still feels E. but F. and G. the game H. worth playing again.

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you played Stardew Valley? How was it? If not, would you like to try it?
  2. If a game is still popular after 10 years, what does that say about it?
  3. Stardew Valley has farming, fishing, and mining. Do you want to try those things?
  4. Would you rather work on a farm or in a stressful office?
  5. How important are music and art style in your game experience?
  6. Is it a problem when a game becomes too easy? Why or why not?
  7. Do you replay games after many years? What makes you come back?
  8. What matters most to you in a game: fun, challenge, story, or value?
  9. Do you like games with freedom or clear goals?

Answers

Listening: (1) game, (2) review, (3) freedom, (4) festivals, (5) easy, (6) low

True or False:

  1. True. The review says the game came out in 2016.
  2. False. The review says mods add value and can change many parts of play.
  3. False. The review says stamina matters at first, but later it often feels unimportant.
  4. True. The final paragraph says it remains one of the best farm simulation games today.

Review Breakdown:

Description: H

Good / Bad points: B D F G

Final opinion: E

Not in the review: A C

Vocabulary:

  1. Grow: crops
  2. Raise: animals
  3. Build: friendships
  1. Plan: each day
  2. Add: value
  3. Leave: a job

Discussion Builder:

Hints: 1) Reason. 2) Example. 3) Contrast.

  1. because
  2. For example,
  3. but

Sentence Unscramble:

  1. One reason I like it is that small progress feels rewarding. Alternatives: One reason that I like it is small progress feels rewarding.
  2. Compared with many new games, it offers better value for money.
  3. I can see some problems, but the game still feels cozy and worth playing again.

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