Stardew Valley’s soundtrack is the sport’s unsung hero, and nails the surprisingly tough activity of constructing a comfy sport’s music memorable

God, Stardew Valley turned 10 this week, did not it? That feels kind of wild to consider. I did not leap into the sport till round 12 months later, however that is nonetheless 9 whole years that this sport has been in my life. It is definitely not been in my common gaming rotation anyplace close to as a lot as a few of Pelican City’s most devoted farmers, but it surely’s a type of I at all times come again to once I desperately crave some cosy heat in my life.

The one factor that’s in my common rotation, nevertheless? That sport’s freakin’ soundtrack, child. Not a day has passed by this 12 months that I have not listened to not less than one music from its incredible OST. Critically, it boggles my thoughts that Eric Barone cooked so onerous in so many features of Stardew Valley, however to utterly nail the music on high of all of that? Insanity.

As a result of I do not find out about you, however one thing I so usually discover with my cosy video games is that I do not actually bear in mind their soundtracks. I do know, I’m a horrible appreciator of videogame music. Regardless of, you already know, writing about how a lot I find it irresistible each week. However I believe when numerous these video games are designed to really feel enjoyable, or comforting, their soundtracks kind of take a backseat.

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Typically it is ambient music that matches properly within the context of the sport, however does not have a lot listening energy past it. Or full of lo-fi tracks—which, whereas I’m a complete sucker for lo-fi, I by no means discover anybody specific observe burrowing its manner into my mind to infinitely loop round my noggin as I’m going about my day.

However Stardew Valley does one thing particular. It fastidiously toes the road of nostalgia and newness, bringing one thing that feels recent however deeply rooted within the video games that impressed Barone within the first place. Jaunty synths for brilliant summer time days that remodel into extra mild, ethereal sounds because the seasons develop colder, an virtually comically stereotypical ragtime piano piece for the Stadrop Saloon, and the pleasant important theme.

It is one which feels a little bit dreamy—funnily sufficient, it jogs my memory only a teeny-tiny little bit of the Donald’s Dreamland playground theme from Toontown. Not when it comes to any precise melody working via both observe, however simply the best way each of them make me really feel. A bit of sleepy, a little bit blissful, and really cosy. It is most likely a cause why Stardew reads so nostalgic to me, because it’s actually reminding me of some crusty youngsters’ MMO that I nonetheless maintain a really gentle spot for.

It is an actual inviting observe, one that nearly appears like an outdated pal welcoming you house. Even when it is the primary time you have ever booted up the sport. I do not know what Barone put in these synths to make them sound so iconic, however I have been consuming it up for the final 9 years.

After all, I can not write about how great Stardew Valley’s soundtrack is with out mentioning absolutely the GOAT: Dance of the Moonlight Jellies. It is the most well-liked music on Spotify, and for good cause. It performs in the course of the competition of the identical title—a nighttime occasion the place jellyfish delicately glow and bob round within the ocean, their gentle blue hues lighting up the darkish skies.

It is the closest I’ve ever gotten to crying over a observe that does not precisely intend to carry any nice emotional weight behind it. However one thing about how mild a music it’s, paired with the gorgeous pixel artwork surroundings, offers me ridiculous goosebumps each single time.

I believe a part of what makes Stardew Valley’s soundtrack so particular is the actual fact that it comes from Barone himself. Whereas he works alongside a workforce lately, the early days of the sport have been a solo effort. It is so clear how deeply related Barone is to each single side, and the way a lot of himself he poured into each nook of its creation. These connections ripple out to the place we will really feel them ourselves, and I sincerely consider the soundtrack wouldn’t be anyplace close to as particular had it come from an out of doors supply.

No person understands a sport greater than the particular person chargeable for its existence, and that could not be clearer with Stardew Valley than in its music. The sport is particular as a complete, however the soundtrack provides a lot to how particular an expertise residing a digital life in Pelican City actually is.