Stardew Valley Creator Admits Fishing Minigame Was Too Hard Early On — Here’s What He’d Change

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Summary

  • The creator of Stardew Valley reveals he would change the difficulty curve for the fishing minigame if he could go back and do it again.
  • The introduction of a training rod in Stardew Valley aimed to make fishing easier for new players.
  • The fishing minigame in Stardew Valley was inspired by Retro Studio’s Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze.

As a passionate gamer who’s spent countless hours casting lines in Stardew Valley, I can tell you that the game’s creator, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, has shared his thoughts on improvements for the beloved fishing minigame. Despite appreciating the overall mechanics, he admitted that a smoother difficulty progression could have been implemented in Stardew Valley.

One of the factors that keeps players coming back to the game Stardew Valley is the diverse range of activities available within its game world. Apart from cultivating their farmstead, players can engage in numerous other activities in Pelican Town and the surrounding areas. For instance, Stardew Valley incorporates a fishing minigame, allowing players to attempt catching various types of fish for use in recipes or sale. However, using costlier poles, as well as bait and tackle, can simplify this minigame, but opinions on it have been divided since the game’s launch. While some find fishing in Stardew Valley enjoyable, others consider it tedious or frustrating during the early stages of play.

In a chat with PC Gamer, the creator of Stardew Valley, ConcernedApe, discussed the fishing minigame and admitted that it has been a subject of debate among the community. He personally finds it enjoyable, but acknowledges that some players dislike it. Although he enjoys the game, there are aspects he’d like to revisit. Specifically, he believes the difficulty progression could be smoother in Stardew Valley. At the onset of the game, he feels the fishing minigame is too challenging. Ideally, he wishes for a better adjustment of difficulty as players advance and catch increasingly difficult fish within Stardew Valley. He also mentioned that the fishing bar should have been slightly larger at the start of the game.

ConcernedApe Tried to Make Stardew Valley’s Early-Game Fishing Easier

As a devoted Stardew Valley fan, I’d like to share an insight: ConcernedApe thoughtfully addressed an early game challenge by introducing a solution for novice anglers – the training rod. This budget-friendly alternative can be bought from Willy’s Shop. The training rod eases the fishing learning curve by restricting catches to specific fish tiers and qualities, making it perfect for beginners. Unfortunately, not many players seem to know about this helpful item.

Apart from discussing the aspects he would alter in the fishing game, he also shared its original source of inspiration. According to Barone, the concept for this mini-game originated from Retro Studio’s “Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze,” particularly the barrel-riding sections. More specifically, he highlighted how the mechanism of pressing and releasing a single button to move up and down in those segments influenced the bar function in the fishing game.

Barone finds merit in the fishing game design, expressing that it’s generally well-made, despite a few concerns raised by some players. In contrast to those who aren’t fond of the mini-game, numerous others appreciate the refreshing break it offers. It’s intriguing to contemplate the diverse minigames Haunted Chocolatier may offer when it eventually debuts in the future.

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2025-05-03 02:15