Stardew Valley might have come out in February of 2016, but it's still going strong to this day. The developer, ConcernedApe, comes out with updates all the time, which keep current fans engaged with the game, ensuring Stardew Valley doesn't leave the news for very long (only encouraging new sales).
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If you're one of the people who is hoping to try out Stardew Valley for yourself but aren't sure what console to get it on, this list will exhibit why the game is best experienced on your PC. It doesn't even require a high-powered computer! You can run Stardew Valley with just a 2GHz CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 500MB of storage space on an SSD or HDD.
No Online Fees
The big gaming consoles available right now from Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo force their users to pay a subscription fee each month in order to play online with their friends. Local co-op might be free, but split-screen is being included in games less and less these days (potentially to encourage online subscriptions…).
Whether or not you agree with that practice aside, it's simply not a problem on a PC. When you play Stardew Valley on PC, you only have to pay for your own internet connection in order to play with a friend in another town, another timezone, or another country entirely.
4-Player Local Co-Op
On PC, you'll be able to play with four people on the same computer at once! On top of those four, even more people can join in by using their own computer. To be fair, this is also available on the Xbox and PlayStation versions. However, local co-op is limited to only two people on the Nintendo Switch, which is odd considering it's arguably one of the most popular places to play Stardew Valley.
It might seem silly to have four people crowd around one monitor screen so that you can play local co-op, but you could always plug your HDMI output into a TV screen if you need more screen space per person.
Mods
Stardew Valley has an incredible and passionate modding community. Some are designed to enhance the story of the game, while others aim to fix things about the gameplay that they find frustrating (like the modder who made it so that you could see fish in the water). A big advantage to playing Stardew Valley on your PC is the opportunity to install the mods of your choosing.
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It's hard to deny that Stardew Valley has flaws. While Stardew Valley is often considered one of the best (if not the best) farming simulators available right now, it was also made by only one person. Things like the game's pacing, the lack of RPG elements, and more can frustrate new and old players alike. Modding is an opportunity to fix some of these shortcomings.
Immediate Updates
Stardew Valley is a game that's being consistently updated with new content by its creator, ConcernedApe. These updates always come to PC first. It takes a few weeks for the update to get added to the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation versions (and even longer for mobile).
This is a tough position to be in if you're hoping to avoid spoilers for the game. Fans all over the internet will be fawning over new mysteries, animals, farms, and more while you're stuck on the older version for a while. Of course, this may just build up excitement for you, but odds are that you'd rather have this content day one than by the time everyone else has already explored it and all the mystery is gone in the wider community.
The Screen Is Close To Your Face
Stardew Valley was originally intended to be played on a PC. That means that when you play on a console like the Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch, the details can be a little tough to read. It all depends on how close you sit to the television but if you have a dedicated rec room, odds are you're two meters or more from wherever the TV sits.
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It's all about detail in Stardew Valley. The descriptions can tell you how long a crop will grow for, whether you need to bring an item to the local Archeologist, Gunther, and more! It's no good if you're having to squint at your television or scoot closer to it just to read a few labels.
Controls Are Intuitive
Another clear indicator that Stardew Valley was originally a PC game is its controls. While buttons have been mapped fairly well to the various controllers used by consoles, the game can occasionally feel janky to play.
One key feature is the cursor, which controls item placement and tool use. On PC, it's perfectly fine. On a console, that cursor has to be mapped to a joystick since it's essential to the gameplay. Fans have been known to describe the console controls as much less intuitive compared to their PC counterparts.
NEXT: Stardew Valley: Tips For Your Farm Layout
