There are only five essential skills in Stardew Valley - farming, mining, foraging, fishing, and combat - which can all be leveled up through standard gameplay. Farming and foraging are the easiest, since they are part of the standard crop-growing section of the game, while mining and combat similarly go hand in hand when players venture into the mines. The one skill that sticks out is fishing, with its difficult gameplay mechanic and steep learning curve. ConcernedApe, the solo creator of the game, has expressed his regrets over how hard fishing is, but still stands by his mini-game.

It’s almost universally accepted by the general Stardew Valley fanbase that fishing is one of the most difficult parts of the game. The mini-game is so unpopular that most first-time players will simply give up on it after a few tries, only returning to catch the necessary fish for completing the Community Center. While ConcernedApe has stated that fishing is more difficult than he may have intended, that’s exactly what makes it such a good mechanic in the otherwise easy and cozy Stardew Valley.

Stardew Valley’s Fishing Mini Game Is Too Difficult, According To ConcernedApe

A Hard Start May Discourage New Players

Eric Barone, AKA ConcernedApe, the creator of Stardew Valley, itted that fishing in his game may be too difficult, but he still loves it. In a recent interview with PCGamer, he said “I know it’s controversial, a lot of people hate it, but I think it’s fun.” Explaining his regrets around the mini-game, Barone explained that fishing is a little too hard at the beginning, “I think there should have been a better curve, so it starts out easy, and then it gets a little harder because you’re catching more difficult fish.”

To fix this difficulty curve, Barone added a training rod to help acclimate players to the mini-game. As he explains, “I know a lot of people really hate it, so I tried to mitigate it a little bit by adding the training rod, which a lot of people don’t know about.” This training rod makes learning the ups and downs of fishing less difficult, as Barone stated, “You can buy it for like five gold at WIlly’s shop, and it makes the fishing a lot easier.”

He continued, “You can only catch fish below a certain tier and quality, but it’s good for training.” Despite fishing being one of the least popular activities in Stardew Valley, ConcernedApe still likes it after all this time. As he simply stated, “I still think the fishing game is good overall.”

Improving With Practice Is What Makes Fishing So Fun

Putting In The Work For Results Is What Makes Gaming Rewarding

Fishing in Stardew Valley is one of the most difficult tasks for new players. Casting out the very first reel into the ocean after receiving a rod from Willy, only to be met with an unwieldy tracking bar and a fish frantically darting up and down to avoid being caught, can be off-putting to beginners. This level of difficulty is jarring in the very first year of Stardew Valley, especially since the overall vibe of the game is laid back and very take-things-at-your-own-pace.

Being introduced to such a difficult mini-game when the rest of the game is so relaxing makes it incredibly easy to drop fishing entirely and never try it again. While fishing is difficult at first, that’s exactly what makes it one of the most rewarding parts of Stardew Valley. Overcoming the initial difficulty of wrangling a fish is simply good gaming fun.

Upgrading the fishing rod, trying out different bobbers, and finally reeling in a fish like the catfish provides nothing but the sweetest sense of victory. Putting in an effort to earn a reward is a key tenant in gaming, and of all the skills in Stardew Valley, fishing provides that completely. The only way to get good at fishing is to dedicate some days to it and practice, though there are some resources online to make catching every fish easier.

The first few seasons of a new save in Stardew Valley might make it difficult to set aside time for fishing, but the very first Winter gives players ample time to practice when they’re not grinding through the mines. The most important aspect of fishing is that, while it is hard at first, it can pay off immensely and fill the empty coffers of new farmers when their crops haven’t ripened yet. The best way to get the most bang for a fishy buck is to invest early in a Fish Smoker.

Journey Of The Prairie King And Junimo Kart Are By Far The Most Difficult Mini Games

Fishing Is A Breeze Compared To These Arcade Games

Fishing gets a bad rap in Stardew Valley, but the mini-games that truly make anyone want to toss their controller across the room in frustration are Journey of the Prairie King and Junimo Kart. These two arcades are located in the Saloon, right next to where Abigail, Sam, and Sebastian always sit. Both arcade games are difficult, and while they aren’t technically necessary to play, they are still challenges most players want to complete. Journey of the Prairie King is a western-themed shooter, in which waves of enemies like orcs and evil butterflies attack a lone cowboy.

Junimo Kart, the second arcade game, can only be played after obtaining the Skull Key. The gameplay of Junimo Kart is deceptively simple, as players must navigate increasingly difficult levels full of abandoned mines and giant mushrooms with only the power to jump. Strangely enough, Junimo Kart doesn’t have any achievements attached to beating it, but Journey of the Prairie King has two, which makes getting 100% completion in Stardew Valley far more difficult. The first is to simply beat the game, while the second (secret) achievement is to beat the game without a single death.

Of all the mini-games in Stardew Valley, these two arcade games are easily the hardest. When comparing these games to fishing, it’s clear which deserves the worst reputation. That’s not to say the arcade mini-games aren’t fun, as having a challenging, but low-stakes, mini-game is a fun addition to any video game. It’s simply that fishing gets more negative attention from players than it deserves.

Source: PCGamer