Growing up I was friends with a lot of farm kids, but somehow I avoided working on the farm myself. It always looked like hard and repetitive work with very little daily gratification. You know, the kind of work that wouldn't make for a fun video game. That's why it took a lot of convincing for me to even try Stardew Valley. Once I got there though, I never wanted to leave.

There are a lot of similar games to Stardew Valley that either had too much action or not enough things to do in the world. Stardew Valley's balance between work on the farm, socializing in town, and adventuring in the mine is at the core of its zen. It was the perfect and stress free escape that I needed this past spring. Thanks for teaching me the value of honest work, Stardew Valley.

Games of 2016

Throughout January, the Games of 2016 will lead the way towards The 2016 Grimmys - Horrible Night's Games of the Year Awards.