Stardew Valley has once again received a massive content-heavy update, this time coming with new areas, new crops, and much more. The 1.5 patch contains so many new things that the changelog takes a significant amount of time to read through. So, we've decided to compile some of the best parts of the new update.
It's hard to choose the best parts of a Stardew update, since they're always so massive. But, there are some things that are so cool or appreciated in this patch that they soar above and beyond other changes. Here are some of the best things you can find in the new update.
10 Local Split Screen
One of the best things to ever come out of a Stardew update is the ability to play a co-op multiplayer file with your friends. Unfortunately, until now, you could only play online. Now, though, Stardew is capable of split-screen co-op.
Many people miss the great days of gathering together on a couch with your friends and playing split-screen games, and this is yet another great entry into the list of modern games where you can still do that.
9 Emily Visits Sandy
This is a minor thing that doesn't affect much but makes a ton of people very happy to see. Sandy, the mysterious woman who runs the shop in the Calico Desert, often gripes about how lonely it can be out there and how much she loves the Valley. If you invite her to a movie, she'll be delighted to make the trip into town.
It's a known thing that she's friends with Emily, one of the residents of Pelican Town. However, until now, they were never seen together. With the 1.5 patch, Emily will now visit Sandy on her birthday. How cute!
8 Randomized Community Center
Anyone who has played through Stardew more than once may have grown a bit bored of the Community Center bundles. Why not spice it up a bit by remixing them? With the new patch, any new file you start can be made to have "remixed" bundles in the Community Center, changing what they need to give you a new, fresh challenge.
Some of the new requirements are extremely difficult, while others are downright hilarious. It adds a fun new twist and a ton of replay value to the game.
7 New Trees, Crops, and Other Stuff
Another thing you may grow bored of after a few years on a file or after starting a few new ones is the crop and tree availability. So far, these haven't really changed with any update. However, a handful of new crops, trees, and even an animal were all added with the 1.5 patch.
With the new update, farmers can now grow Taro Root, Pineapples, and, during a special quest, the new Qi Fruit. The game also has some new trees: Mango trees, Banana trees, a new type of palm tree, and Mahogany trees that drop hardwood.
Additionally, for those who prefer a farm with a lot of animals, there is a new livestock option: ostriches! They will produce eggs that, when put in a Mayonnaise Machine, produce a whopping 10 batches of Mayo.
6 Beach Farm
There are a handful of different farm layouts that you can choose when starting a new game. Each comes with its own benefits and challenges, and each provides a completely different experience for a playthrough.
With the new update, there's another type of farm that you can now choose from: the beach farm. This farm is a bit more difficult and not recommended for first-time players. It has a ton of water space and sandy parts where crops can be grown but sprinklers cannot be placed.
There are a lot of forageables, including the shells and other beach foraging that typically show up on the regular beach. Interestingly, supply crates containing some random seeds, fertilizer, and other items can wash up on the beach farm.
5 Duck Can Swim
This is another minor change that is being praised across the fan community despite how little it actually matters in terms of practicality. Starting in the 1.5 update, your ducks will now swim in the water on your farm if they have access to it from their coop.
This is entirely a cosmetic thing, but it's very cute and people seem to be obsessed with it. Other animals will also follow adults around, but the ducks are definitely the cutest thing.
4 Fruit Tree Location Warning
Few things are more annoying in Stardew than dropping several thousand gold on some fruit saplings, planting them, then going to bed and seeing "Your orange tree wasn't able to grow last night." With the programming of the game, fruit trees have to have a clear radius of space around them, otherwise they won't grow.
However, it always seems like you just miss the right spot, and then have to chop down the sapling you just spent a small fortune on. Luckily, now, the game will prevent you from planting fruit trees where they cannot grow. You can still put stuff in their way after the fact, but this is an important and extremely helpful change.
3 Change Name and Gender
This is an important and affirming update for many people who need it, and just a nice touch for those who are into it just out of interest. As of the 1.5 update, the Shrine of Illusions in the Wizard's Tower now lets you change your name and gender.
This is perfect for anyone who has transitioned in real life, or anyone who just wants to change their character up a bit. You'll be able to access the Shrine of Illusions once you have four hearts with the Wizard.
2 Ginger Island
The main portion of this new update is without a doubt the addition of Ginger Island. This new area is massive and has so much within it that it's impossible to sum it up here without going on for many paragraphs.
This island is home to several great new places, including a secondary bit of farmable land, a resort, a new trading post, a new dungeon, and many new characters. It's a shockingly huge amount of new content.
1 Community Upgrade Shortcuts
Ginger Island is, of course, the most important part of the new update, and probably the main new thing. But, anyone who has spent a ton of time playing Stardew is probably more thankful for this change.
Robin's Carpenter Shop will now offer a second community upgrade. This one creates shortcuts around Pelican Town, which are immensely helpful and convenient.
For 300,000 gold, Robin will create shortcuts from the Forest to the Beach; from the Mountains to just north of Joja Mart/The Movie Theater; from the Museum to the Tide Pools; from the Bus Stop to the Backwoods; and from the Mountain Lake island to the Adventurer's Guild.