Stardew Valley
News, coverage and analysis tracking Stardew Valley across the outlets.
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Papaya Plaza - A Cozy City Builder Made By Fall Guys And Fortnite Developers
Papaya Plaza, a cozy city-builder developed by former Fall Guys and Fortnite developers at Biscuit Factory Games, has released a demo on Steam. Players can experience the laid-back city-building gameplay and explore hundreds of pixel-art designs as they work to turn a rundown town into a five-star village. The game is published by Weekend Games and is compared to titles like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
8 Games You Can Pause Instantly When Baby Cries | TAG
This article highlights eight games that allow players to pause instantly, catering to the needs of parents who may need to step away from their game at a moment's notice. Games like Slay the Spire 2, Balatro, and Stardew Valley offer true instant pauses, while others like Hades II and Cyberpunk 2077 provide save-anywhere or quit-to-hub functionality. Baldur's Gate 3 is noted for allowing pauses even mid-combat.
The Parent Gamer's 2026 Survival Plan | TAG
This guide offers a survival plan for parents who want to continue gaming amidst the unpredictable demands of raising children. It emphasizes the importance of autosave features, flexible session lengths, and choosing games that accommodate short or interrupted playtimes, recommending titles like Stardew Valley, Balatro, and Hades II. The article also addresses the need for self-care, communication with partners, and selecting appropriate hardware like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.
Is Paralives worth playing in early access for life sim fans?
Paralives has launched into early access, offering a stylized life simulation experience with unique features like a conversation meter and a commitment to free expansions. While the game shows promise for fans of the genre, it is currently in a very early, buggy state with many staple life sim features still in development, such as pets and seasons. The article suggests that major life sim fans may find it worth playing now despite the jank, while casual players might want to wait for further updates.
Cozy Co-Op Night: 6 Couples Games Without Fights | TAG
This guide recommends six video games designed for couples seeking a conflict-free co-op experience, focusing on collaborative and forgiving gameplay. Titles like Stardew Valley, A Short Hike, and Unravel Two are highlighted for their ability to foster shared enjoyment without causing arguments, with advice also provided on creating a cozy gaming ritual and identifying when gaming might be causing relationship friction.
5 Couples Games for Partners Who Don't Game | TAG
This list recommends five cooperative games suitable for couples where one partner is not a regular gamer. Titles like A Short Hike, Unravel Two, Stardew Valley, It Takes Two, and Wingspan are highlighted for their accessibility, gentle learning curves, and focus on fun over complex mechanics, minimizing the need for extensive gaming experience.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – May 24, 2026 – Yoshi holds off Pokemon Pokopia, Tales of Arise debuts
The latest Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of May 24, 2026, show Yoshi and the Mysterious Book holding the top spot, followed by Pokemon Pokopia. Tales of Arise debuted with two editions in the top ten, while other notable titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza also charted.
Long-Distance Couples Gaming: 7 Voice-Call Picks | TAG
This guide recommends seven games suitable for long-distance couples who communicate via voice calls, focusing on titles that facilitate shared experiences despite geographical separation. The selections range from asynchronous games like Stardew Valley and Minecraft to more structured co-op experiences such as It Takes Two and Helldivers 2, all supporting cross-platform play and voice chat.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – May 23, 2026 – Tomodachi Life is unbeatable
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of May 23, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot. New releases like Rune Dice and Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection also appeared on the download-only list. The article provides a comprehensive ranking of the top 30 games and download-only titles.
Switch 2 Co-Op Picks for Couples Without a Shared TV | TAG
This guide highlights six Nintendo Switch 2 co-op games suitable for couples who play together but rarely share a screen. It categorizes recommendations based on different playing scenarios, such as schedule mismatches, travel, or playing in separate rooms, emphasizing games that work well with each player using their own device.
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: Witchfire
The latest issue of PC Gamer magazine features world-exclusive access to Witchfire, the dark fantasy RPG shooter from The Astronauts, ahead of its version 1.0 launch. The issue also includes previews of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and other upcoming games, along with reviews for titles like Crimson Desert and Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred. Additionally, it covers PC gaming's best MMOs, ergonomic PC gear, and delves into the legacy of ZQuest Classic.
Paralives is the very definition of early access, but it's already a promising Sims rival
Paralives is launching into early access on May 25th after seven years of development, and while it's buggy and incomplete, it shows immense promise as a rival to The Sims. The game features robust build/buy tools, extensive character customization with inclusive options, and engaging townie requests, though its live mode and AI autonomy require significant improvement.
20 Must-Play Games on Steam Deck in 2026 (Verified and Optimized) | TAG
This guide highlights 20 games that perform exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, focusing on session-friendliness and battery life. It categorizes games into quick sessions, hour-long sessions, and deep dives, while also noting AAA titles that are playable with adjustments. The article also details Valve's 'Steam Deck Verified' system and lists games that did not make the cut due to performance issues.
Stardew Valley doesn't have any microtransactions because Eric Barone values the player 'more than the money I…
Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone stated that the game does not feature microtransactions because he values player affection over potential revenue. He believes this approach aligns with the game's theme of authentic living and brings him more happiness than financial gain. Despite its affordability and lack of monetization, Stardew Valley has achieved significant commercial success.
Wildcard Wishlist: 14 games we're desperate to see at Summer Game Fest 2026
This article outlines a wishlist of 14 games the GamesRadar+ team hopes to see announced or receive updates on at Summer Game Fest 2026. The list includes highly anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto 6, The Witcher 4, and The Elder Scrolls 6, alongside more speculative wishes for unrevealed games such as Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe and Persona 6.
The Adventures of Elliot’s development team has quietly been mastering the modern minigame, and its latest action-RPG once again shows us how it’s done
The development team behind Square Enix's upcoming The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, led by director Tomaya Asano, demonstrates a mastery of integrating compelling minigames into RPGs. This approach, also seen in titles like Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler, enhances the overall player experience by adding meaningful, often challenging, side activities that complement the main gameplay loop.
The Best PC Games To Play In 2026
This guide highlights the best PC games available in 2026, spanning various genres and including both recent releases and enduring live-service titles. The list emphasizes games that run well on PC, with considerations for hardware and accessibility, and notes that many titles are also playable on devices like the Steam Deck.
The MOP Up: EverQuest II invites players back to Kunark Ascending
EverQuest II's time-locked progression server Varsoon has launched its 13th expansion, Kunark Ascending. The article also rounds up other recent MMO news, including updates for Dungeons and Dragons Online, Myth of Empires: Throne, PUBG Battlegrounds, Last Epoch, Uncharted Waters Online, Entropia Universe, Gamble with Your Friends, Stardew Valley, Undecember, Reverse: 1999, and Marvel Rivals.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – May 17, 2026 – Yoshi overthrows Pokemon Pokopia
The latest Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of May 17, 2026, show "Yoshi and the Mysterious Book" taking the top spot, dethroning "Pokemon Pokopia" due to pre-load sales. "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" and "Outbound" also entered the top ten.
10 Co-Op Games Couples Actually Finish Together (2026) | TAG
This article highlights ten co-op games suitable for couples, focusing on titles that can be completed within a reasonable timeframe, typically 10 to 25 hours. It categorizes games based on player skill levels and preferences, offering options for mixed-skill pairs, experienced gamers, and those new to the medium. The list includes titles like It Takes Two, Split Fiction, Unravel Two, and Portal 2, emphasizing games that promote shared experiences and achievable endings.
