I keep trying to play Stardew Valley to relax only to get stressed out by planning the days for maximum farm efficiency and worrying about getting all the chores packed into the days. It's a more stressful game to me than Elden Ring or any survival horror game
Comments
This is a great way to discover if your marriage would survive being tested by an actual demon.
I know it's hard to break the habit, but you'll have a better time doing the things you enjoy instead, you really will. You might even discover you really like the fishing minigame
(unless you enjoy the stressful gameplay in which good on you lol)
There's literally no reward for getting richer other than self satisication.
I spent most of my first play-through grinding days, finding the game stressful, and the revelation that that was all on me was a “Huh? Huh.” moment.
the sprinklers:
the thunderstorm:
Currently on Cult of the Lamb kick. 😈
Paradoxically, I find violent video games far more relaxing.
OCD is a bitch!
The calendar does not really matter.
Come to me my fellow messy housekeepers
https://lotro.com
Also... What's this app?? I'm guessing it's tied to a watch?
Thanks for letting me know the brand. I'll have to find something for my watch. Knowing my daily stress levels seems useful.
And then start using the Stardew Predictor page to make even better use of their time
But that's a game designed around punishing you for caring, and that made it actively unpleasant for me.
"You are not the hero. Little you do matters." works better for me on the page, especially in an RPG where you need to invest.
But it made me feel like crap playing it in a way that few games have.
It's meant to be relaxing? THERE'S AN ACTUAL TIMER.
I'll just restart the day 😅
So my last one was all about talking to people doing basic activities, participating in events (I had never found the mayor's underpants because I never made the time to befriend everyone).
I do always wonder if there is a combination of mods that would turn it into the game everyone else seems to be playing
Don't talk to me about who I'm romancing right now, or how many villagers I've given regular gifts to, or I will Explode
Especially once you get stuck waiting for a red cabbage.
It doesn't mean the game isn't enjoyable, but to many people the need to min max is very ingrained, and it can lead to this sort of thing
I quit my entire SDV journey when I forgot to plant corn in the summer. I was furious and deleted the save. i stopped playing for a while.
Enemies stick around predictable locations and do predictable things. Quiet areas remain quiet, unless you are in an invasion zone. And you can turn those off with items in-game.
It's why "Your actions changed the levels!" are the big moments.
Have the entire calendar planned out for crops and layout for max cash? Just turn the brain off and go through the motions.
If you don't already have 6 seasons planned out, it can be stressful. I'll give you that.
I've learned I can only relax when I've finished it hah
It's just like being at work IRL.
Its like the 'never use consumables' problem. You're not going to need it later. Use it now and make your run more fun.
It occurs to me that real life is a bit like this too.
Eventually I’ll have a greenhouse and make ancient fruit wine and it’ll all be kinda autopilot.
The skull caverns are the stressful part for me
I play Stardew on PC via Steam.
I'm also stressed as I can't master fishing and suck at giving presents. No one likes plant fiber lol
Wish the game would remind me when people's birthdays are tho. My friendships are weak because I never remember to give gifts.
But grinding events out in Guild Wars or running a random dungeon in Elden Ring? I'mma chill to that
Same for every other farming game, have never found any of them truly relaxing, the cozy vibe is a lie (complimentary)
That's funny! It's super relaxing for me!
What are you struggling with in particular?
What interests me about the game is being able to invent relationships, play with the townspeople, and of course I love the animals
Different strokes !
I mean, *I* love planning that stuff out, and it’s a form of rest for me, but it ain’t chill.