Indie Game Icons: Stardew Valley and Balatro Take Over USA Today Crossword!

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Summary

  • Stardew Valley and Balatro were featured in the USA Today crossword puzzle, showcasing their popularity.
  • Stardew Valley has a strong following and won awards.
  • Fans of both games on social media expressed delight at seeing the indie games featured in a major publication’s puzzle.

Intriguingly, clues related to “Stardew Valley” and “Balatro” have been incorporated into a US Today crossword. These unexpected references could suggest that these video games have achieved significant popularity and recognition since their initial launches.

Stardew Valley continues to draw in a vast number of players even though it’s an independent game, proving its appeal over time. The captivating world of Pelican Town, with its inhabitants and overall setting, has won the hearts of many gamers. Similarly, Balatro has swiftly garnered millions in profits. It is likely that this widespread acclaim is why these games made it into the crossword puzzle.

USA Today’s crossword puzzle for March 19 features clues related to the games Stardew Valley and Balatro, as part of its theme “Plot Twist”. For the clue “Items that can be smelted in Stardew Valley” at position 40 Across, the answer is not specific items like iron or gold, but rather the more general term “ores”. In a similar vein, the crossword also references Balatro with the clue “Balatro level” at position 59 Across. The answer to this particular entry is “Ante”.

Games Appear as Trivia Puzzle References

It’s interesting to note that a similar reference to Stardew Valley has appeared before, specifically on the popular game show Jeopardy!. In one instance, contestants were asked to identify the type of property inherited from a Grandpa in Stardew Valley, which is a farm received by players at the beginning of the game. For those who haven’t played the game, solving this crossword puzzle would be simpler since smelting ores isn’t related to Stardew Valley. On the other hand, knowing about the farm without knowledge of the game would make answering the Jeopardy! question more challenging.

On social networking platforms, enthusiasts of both Stardew Valley and Balatro appear to be thrilled by the subtle references to these two popular indie games in this puzzle. Some were taken aback that indie games would be showcased in a renowned publication’s puzzle, but others noted that both Stardew Valley and Balatro have garnered numerous awards such as the Golden Joystick’s Breakthrough Award for Stardew Valley and Best Indie Game for Balatro. While it might prove difficult for some, it’s likely that most gamers will at least be familiar with these game titles.

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2025-03-20 04:26