Stardew Valley is one of the most popular games released in the last decade, inspiring thousands of people to take up farming and game design or step out of their comfort zone to meet new people. And with every popular game comes hordes of mods to enhance, extend, and customize the game, so here is a list of the most loved mods in the Stardew Valley community.
15. Stardew Valley Expanded
Most dedicated Stardew Valley fans have completed at least 3 separate playthroughs because they can't get enough of it. FlashShifter has dedicated the past 3 years to expanding Stardew Valley with more characters and storylines to experience.
One of the things that I always wished Stardew Valley included more of was, well, everything. Characters, events, and secrets to be uncovered. But only one person made the game, so I take what I can get. It has endless potential to expand into a whole world focused on building community and sustainability. It's my and many others' definition of utopia.
What Makes Stardew Valley Expanded So Popular?
- With over 25 new characters, 50 locations, and 260 character events, this is one of the most comprehensive additions to the game made by a fan.
- This mod is one of the few to feature new music, new crops, and fish to expand your inventory of ingredients. I'm excited to see what fun foods I can make with these!
- SVE expands the Joja Cola storyline, adding more mystery and intrigue to the evil capitalist corporation encroaching on Pelican Town. I want to know more... But at what cost?
Download Stardew Expanded: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/3753
14. Ridgeside Village
Just can't get enough of Stardew Valley? This expansion pack gives you an entirely new experience with new characters and places to explore.
This mod has incredible love and work put into faithfully recreating the experience ConcernedApe developed on a much-extended scale. With more additional characters and events than the base game itself, it's no wonder the expansion gained 600,000 total downloads in less than 2 years. This mod is particularly special because it includes custom music, which is something that many expansion packs omit in favor of more dialogue. Don't get me wrong, both are great, but I would love another Stardew-esque soundtrack to memorize.
What Makes Ridgeside Village So Popular?
- Besides being an expansion to Stardew Valley, Ridgeside Village boasts over 400 new events, including discoverable events and NPCs to be unlocked.
- Rafaeazz has also included odd job services to assist you on your farm, making the chore of collecting new crops and tending to animals easier on you.
- Ridgeside Village has very light intrusion on the base game, making it a perfect addition to other mods on this list, such as Stardew Valley Expanded.
- It also includes new shops, something that I'm excited to explore. Anything that gets me away from Clint as fast as possible.
Download Ridgeside Village: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/7286
13. East Scarp
The ocean is one of the most scenic places in the real world and in video games. Isn't it a shame that the beach in Stardew Valley is so small? East Scarp brings you that seaside farming experience that you've been craving. Thank me later.
As someone who grew up along the coasts of California, it pains me to know that most people haven't experienced the cool breeze wafting over their skin, the kelp wrapping around their ankles as they wade into the neverending sea. It's something truly magical about being near the ocean, something that puts your place in life into perspective. Stardew Valley is all about finding yourself, and so is East Scarp.
What Makes East Scarp So Popular?
- East Scarp features new permanent residents but also has the feature of seasonal NPCs that visit over midsummer. They come in addition to the extra downloadable NPCs from other official East Scarp mods.
- This mod has more extras than it does anything else. The amount of customization is understated. It features more than a dozen downloadable sister mods that give you the exact experience you want.
- The new areas added gave me exactly what I wanted, even though I didn't know what I wanted. A vineyard, cherry orchard, and the deep mountains are just a few of the new places to explore and grow in with East Scarp.
- Luckily for you, East Scarp is compatible with most mods, including the first two entries on the list, Ridgeside Village and Stardew Valley Expanded (for the most part).
Download East Scarp: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/5787
12. Adventurer's Guild Expanded
There are three types of Stardew Valley Players: the farmers, the lovers, and the explorers. If you're the third type, grab your pickaxe and brace for an expansion focused solely on the Adventurer's Guild.
I have always wanted more to do in the mines besides get torn apart in the Skull Cavern. I like a challenge, but I never felt fully prepared for difficult caves and mines because there was a jump in difficulty. With the extra quests and 30+ story events focused solely on adventuring, the Skull Cavern will be a breeze. I hope so anyway.
What Makes the Adventurer's Guild Expanded So Popular?
- This expansion pack adds two new romanceable NPCs who love monsters (almost) as much as you do. There's also a secret monster NPC who can live underneath your house, even with a spouse!
- Monsters in Stardew Valley have always been alluded to as being some kind of cosmic beings, so this mod allows you to explore their history and gain any rewards that come your way from such an incredible discovery!
- This mod is compatible with most other mods, including Make Marlon Real and Befriend Marlon, which expand the mysterious adventurer's character beyond a looming presence.
Download Adventurer's Guild Expanded: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/12102
11. Events Expansion
Stardew Valley's main game doesn't have that many events occurring without direct intervention from the Farmer, so NexusMods user Nraittanna developed 24 more for us all to enjoy.
As much as I love Stardew Valley, I wish it leaned more into the community aspect. I want random villagers showing up on my farm to get fresh crops and little cutscenes of casual movie nights or lunch dates with friends. Overall, I just want to feel like I'm involved with the community and the people. It's nice to sell to them, but friends do more than trade items.
What Makes the Events Expansion So Popular?
- Compatibility, as I'm sure you can tell, is a major draw for people who enjoy modifying their playthroughs. Besides story inconsistencies, this mod is technically compatible with any other mod on the market.
- The expansion adds 24 new heart events, with more coming in the past. These are both platonic and romantic, allowing the player to feel more immersed in the story.
- Nraittanna is planning more villager-centric interactions to make Pelican Town feel like a true community without any direct player intervention needed.
Download Events Expansion: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/9042
10. Downtown Zuzu
Most of the villagers in Pelican Town (omitting Haley and Alex) adore the small-town vibe of their homes. However, the game alludes to a city nearby, bustling with life that we escaped from. If you miss the city, Downtown Zuzu is the mod for you.
Zuzu City is mentioned several times throughout the game, but we're never allowed too far away from Pelican Town. I want to know what they're hiding. Are there clubs in Zuzu City? Does anyone own a car? I have no idea but I. Want. In.
What Makes Downtown Zuzu So Great?
- This mod gives you a taste of the mysterious city, just the most bustling and popping part. There are over 40 locations to visit via bus, train stations, and sewers. I think I'll take the bus.
- There are 7 new NPCs to befriend and romance. Who can complain about that?
- Downtown Zuzu hosts a secret puzzle in its sewers, begging to be explored. Who knows what kind of treasures hide beneath?
- Joja HQ is located in Downtown Zuzu too if you're interested in getting to the bottom of the greedy corporation looming over Stardew Valley.
Download Downtown Zuzu: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/8587
9. Free Love
Monogamy is lame. Especially with so many lovely people to be romanced in Pelican Town. Free Love fixes this, allowing your polyamorous dream to become a reality.
As a poly person myself, I love the inclusion of this mod. It's important to me that I don't have to choose if I don't have to, and with this mod, I don't. I can have Elliot and Alex to love and linger around my house, watering the plants that the sprinkler already took care of.
What Makes Free Love So Popular?
- This mod is coupled with mods that include custom kids' rooms, tweaks to the spouse's room and patio, etc.
- The most obvious is that you can have multiple spouses, so you don't need several playthroughs to romance all of your favorites.
- You don't need to have a second partner, if you just want a roommate, this works for you.
Download Free Love: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/10021
8. Stardew Aquarium
Fishing is something that's divided the Stardew Valley community since the very beginning. Regardless, it's hard not to collect all the fish you can, at least for the community center. This mod puts those fish to some use for once!
I love fishing in Stardew Valley, winning is a rewarding challenge to the otherwise easy game. I also love fishing in real life, so that might have something to do with my love of catching and identifying fish. I wish there was more I could do with them in the base game though.
What Makes Stardew Aquarium So Popular?
- This mod adds two new maps, including a large outdoor beach.
- As you donate fish to the aquarium, you learn fun information about them too!
- There's a secret waiting to be undiscovered in the water.
Download Stardew Aquarium: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/6372
7. Lunna - Astray in Stardew Valley
Fans of mystery RPGs adore a character hiding a big secret. Lunna is hiding something big. Can you find out what it is?
I love games with a pixel art style and mysteries and stories, like To The Moon and Ao Oni. Adding something like that to Stardew Valley sounds so exciting, to learn about the community only to discover that someone is hiding something.
What Makes Lunna - Astray in Stardew Valley So Popular?
- There are 4 new interactable NPCs, complete with their own dialogue, schedules, and events. I emphasize intractable because there are 7 new antisocial NPCs in the same vein as Marlon.
- Additionally, there's an entirely new town to unlock and explore that comes with new foragable items and crops to discover.
- Compatibility, compatibility. This mod has built-in compatibility with the most popular Stardew mods on the market.
Download Lunna - Astray in Stardew Valley: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/6626
6. True Love Valley
Love is a burning thing. And romance and relationships are a big part of Stardew Valley's core gameplay. This mod expands the lovey-dovey talk from your favorite bachelors.
I love love. Pink, hearts, flowers, and pet names are all my specialties; I crave romantic dialogue. No more do I have to resort to fanfiction for the deep conversations I crave, for True Love Valley is here to supplement my need for human touch.
What Makes True Love Valley So Popular?
- This mod is gender-neutral, so everyone can enjoy a dose of loving without being misgendered.
- It's a work in progress but does work with Stardew Valley 1.5. They're more than halfway done updating the dialogue, so you're sure to find at least someone who you can enjoy.
- True Love Valley is PG-13, so even younger Stardew Valley fans can enjoy some sweet romance without feeling uncomfortable.
Download True Love Valley: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/7948
5. Seasonal Outfits - Slightly Cuter Aesthetic
Aren't the outfits in the game cute? Want them to be slightly cuter?
As someone who plays lots of dress-up and avatar-creation games, clothing is a big part of why I enjoy games. I like to see a variety of styles because I don’t have one style either. With the new clothing update, it's a shame that the character sprites didn't get an upgrade as well, hopefully in 1.6.
What Makes Seasonal Outfits So Popular?
- This mod has a sister mod for Stardew Valley Expanded to have a consistent look throughout the game if you have the other mod downloaded.
- You have the option to give characters noses. Personally, I like the no-nose Bratz look, but I see the appeal.
- The character portraits get a minor upgrade too, sticking closely to the original style without sacrificing aesthetics.
Download Seasonal Outfits - Slightly Cuter Aesthetic: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/5450
4. Canon-Friendly Dialogue Expansion
If you're an avid Stardew Valley player, you've probably heard all of the dialogue options that the characters have to offer. Personally, if I have to hear Clint reject my gift one more time, I'm turning to the Joja side.
Stardew Valley is praised for its characters and art style, but few people comment on the beautiful relationships between characters and the farmer that develop over time. Many characters have tragic backstories ranging from abandonment to alcoholism, and I've always wanted to hear more about the villagers' lives. They have so much more to say.
What Makes the Canon-Friendly Dialogue Expansion So Popular?
- This mod, and many others on this list, is compatible with Stardew Valley Expanded. There are very few if any lore contradictions, so feel free to have both active at once.
- 1600 new dialogue messages appear for all 34 characters with at least one heart level. This is in addition to about 400 new dialogue messages for festivals.
- There are about 50 new dialogue messages for bachelors, 600 in total for post-marriage. These messages are also PG-13, but there is a bit of suggestiveness.
Download Canon-Friendly Dialogue Expansion: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/2544
3. DaisyNiko's Earthy Recolour
If you have issues with oversaturated colors in Stardew Valley, this mod solves it, giving a new earthy recolor.
My favorite season is fall. I love the browns and reds, the dull hues that make every pop of color seem so much brighter. I love how Stardew Valley looks, but during long gaming sessions, my eyes tend to hurt from how saturated everything is.
What Makes DaisyNiko's Earthy Recolour So Popular?
- It’s an entire recolor of the game, including edits of outdoor tile sheets and custom trees.
- For any gamer, headache havers or not, it's a good idea to level out the colors to prevent eye or head injuries. And this mod is a beautiful way to achieve that.
- Buildings in town have also changed to look more natural and to match the landscape around them.
Download DaisyNiko's Earthy Recolour: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/5255
2. Better Junimos
The Junimos have always been mysterious yet helpful. When they're on your farm, they help. This mod makes them even better.
I love little guys, precisely what the Junimo are. They're silly little helpful guys, similar to Ooblets but without the fun personalities.
What Makes Better Junimos So Popular?
- These new Junimos help plant crops, fertilize the soil and do pretty much anything else you need a hand with on your farm.
- There's a sister mod that improves these helpful bean bags, even more, adding 10 more skills.
- These hardy little guys can now work in the winter and rain (with umbrellas of course!).
Download Better Junimos: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/2221
1. Animal Husbandry
Vegans, look away. This one's for the omnivores. Put your animals to better use and fry 'em up.
I've always loved the animals in Stardew Valley but considered it unrealistic that they never provided meat. It isn’t a secret that a large portion of raising cattle is butchering for meat, as unpleasant as it is. I've always thought they should just drop meat like eggs and milk, but maybe that's too unrealistic.
What Makes Animal Husbandry So Popular?
- Animal Husbandry lets you give treats to your animals. Need I say more?
- If you're still not convinced, how about new meat-based recipes?
- There's a new event where you can show off your loved cattle and maybe even win the big prize!
- Now, you can breed cattle. Sorry, Marnie.
Download Animal Husbandry Mod: https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/1538
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