Top 12 Stardew Valley Mods You Need In Your Game
Imagine waking up in the idyllic world of Stardew Valley, the sun gently rising over your lush crops, and your loyal dog (or cat) waiting at the door, tail wagging. Sounds pretty great, right? Well, what if I told you it could get even better? With the magic of mods, Stardew Valley can become an even richer, more customized experience to your every whim and fancy.
Welcome to the amazing universe of Stardew Valley mods! If you want to turn your farm into a beautiful and customized oasis, keep reading. In this post, I will walk you through what mods are, how to install them, where to find the best ones, and why they make your gameplay SO much better.
Let’s jump in!
What are Stardew Valley Mods?
Mods, short for modifications, are user-created content that can change how your game looks or add features. In Stardew Valley, mods can range from simple aesthetic changes like new character outfits to complex gameplay enhancements that introduce new mechanics or storylines. Having mods in your game keeps it fresh and exciting, instead of getting boring and stale.
Why use Stardew Valley Mods?
Elevate your gaming experience
Mods breathe new life into Stardew Valley. They offer countless ways to enhance and personalize your game. Here are a few reasons why you should consider using them:
- Customization: Tailor the game’s visuals and mechanics to your liking.
- Extended Gameplay: New content keeps the game exciting even after hours of play.
- Community Engagement: Mods are a great way to connect with the community.
How to Install Stardew Valley Mods
Installing mods might sound intimidating, but it’s simpler than you think. Follow these steps to get started:
- Install SMAPI: The Stardew Modding API (SMAPI) is essential for most mods. Download it from the official SMAPI website and follow the installation instructions.
- Find Your Mods: Browse trusted sources like Nexus Mods or the Stardew Valley subreddit.
- Download and Extract: Download the mod files and extract them into your game’s “mods” folder.
- Launch the Game: Open Stardew Valley through the SMAPI launcher to start using your mods.
Top 12 Must-Have Stardew Valley Mods
To help you get started, here are the # highly recommended mods that can transform your Stardew Valley experience:
1. Stardew Valley Expanded (SVE)
This is one of the most extensive content expansion mods. Stardew Valley Expanded adds in 27 new NPCs, 50 locations, 260 character events, 27 fish, reimagined vanilla areas, 2 farm maps, a reimagined world map reflecting all changes, new music, questlines, objects, crops, festivals, and many more.
So, yeah this is a huge mod, but if you have played through the vanilla Stardew Valley and want another playthrough but want something different this is the mod for you.
2. Lookup Anything
For this mod, you can see live info about anything that is under your cursor while pressing F1. Learn a villager’s favorite gifts, when a crop will be ready to harvest, how long a fence will last, why your farm animals are unhappy, and more. It works on things in the world, your inventory, the calendar, game menus, shops, and more!
3. Tractor Mod
The Tractor Mod lets you buy a tractor (and tractor garage) to more efficiently work with crops, clear twigs, and rocks. This mod allows you to do things around your farm so much easier. Instead of going around one-by-one pickaxing all the rocks, you can simply select your pickaxe in your toolbar and drive over them to clear them.
4. Automate
With the Automate mod, you place a chest next to a machine (like a furnace or cystalarium), and the machine will automatically pull raw items from the chest and push processed items into it. You can connect multiple machines with a chest to link them.
5. Chests Anywhere
The Chests Anywhere mod is perfect if you want to be able to go down to the mines and not run out of inventory space, or if you forget to put something in the shipping bin at night and you really just don’t feel like running back outside.
With this mod, you can access your chests, dressers, fridge, shipping bin, and Jumino huts from anywhere and organize them. Transfer items without having to run all the way back to your farm to put items in your chest or shipping bin.
6. CJB Cheats Menu & CJB Item Spawner
The CJB mods are game-changers. If you don’t feel like grinding the game and want to be able to get whatever item you want or need without having to buy it or look for it, then this is the mod you need. The CJB Cheats Menu is a simple in-game cheats menu with lots of cheats. Ranging from adding money to giving you infinite health & stamina, you can do A LOT with this mod. I always have it in my games just in case.
With the CJB Item Spawner mod, you can spawn in basically anything that’s in the game. This mod is an easy-to-use in-game item spawner menu. These mods are super simple to use and great to have as a backup just in case you need them, or if you just want to live a rich life (up to you).
7. Immersive Farm 2
This mod offers a large farm that has a spa, quarry, a larger greenhouse, and much more. The Immersive Farm 2 mod has so many features to enhance your gameplay. If you’ve played other farm layouts and want something new, definitely give this a try.
This mod features dedicated farming fields, dedicated animal fields, an expanded greenhouse, an expanded cave (which has 3 minecart shortcuts that provide quick access to remote areas of the farm), mincart network access on the farm and cave, second entrance to the bus stop, an entrance to the secret woods to the west on the farm, a permanent shed to place your kegs and things, spa/pool to recover energy, a tunnel to the pool, a matching world map, and also custom sprites.
8. NPC Map Locations
Have you ever been playing and wanted to know where a specific islander was, but can’t find them? This mod shows you where every single NPC is on the map. Once you download it and use it, you will never not be able to use it again.
This mod also offers a minimap if you want that, but you don’t have to use it. It also redraws the map to be much more accurate to the game.
9. Daisyniko’s Earthy Interface
If you’re tired of the way the vanilla game interface looks I would suggest getting an interface mod. I recommend the Daisyniko Earthy Interface because it is really stunning.
This mod changes the game’s UI (menus, buttons, dialogue boxes) to a darker, more neutral color palette. It has 12 different accent colors to choose from – or you can randomize daily or change with the seasons.
10. Daisyniko’s Earthy Recolour
This mod was one of the first mods that I ever downloaded, and when I tell you it made me fall in love with the game even more, it definitely did.
This mod tones down all the yellow tones and gives the game a warm, earth-toned recolor that’s easy on the eyes. Not to mention it just makes the game look 1000 times better.
11. Elle’s Seasonal Buildings
Elle’s Seasonal Buildings is a mod for seasonal replacements for all the buildings on your farm. It has 7 color palettes that you can choose from that go with different recolors, 3 building themes (colorful, varied set, full brick set, all white set), and 8 different styles of farmhouses (rustic, manor, stained glass, cabin, greenhouse, vanilla, cottage, and lodge). The stained glass and greenhouse are my personal favorites.
There’s so much to this mod, and you should try it out if your tired of the same ole way the buildings look.
12. Ridgeside Village
Ridgeside Village is a mod like Stardew Valley Expanded, it adds in over 50 new NPCs, a new location, new items, new shops, new festivals, custom music, custom quests, and so much more!
If you’ve finished the main storyline or just want something new, then definitely try Ridgeside Village. My favorite part of this mod is taking the lift up to the village. This mod adds so much to the game and is definitely worth a try.
A Cozy Story: How Mods Changed My Stardew Valley Journey
Let me share a little story about how mods transformed my own Stardew Valley adventure. It all started when I installed the Stardew Valley Expanded mod. Suddenly, my familiar farm was surrounded by new areas to explore and mysterious characters to meet.
The Automate mod was another game-changer. With all my new free time, I could focus on things like building relationships with the townsfolk, fishing, or exploring the mines. My farm ran like a well-oiled machine, and I even had time to participate in the new festivals introduced by the expansion mod.
FAQ: Your Stardew Valley Mod Questions Answered
Q: Are mods safe to use?
A: Yes, mods are generally safe as long as you download them from trusted sources like Nexus Mods. Always read user reviews and follow installation instructions carefully.
Q: Can I use multiple mods at the same time?
A: Absolutely! Most mods are designed to work together. However, always check for compatibility notes and keep backups of your save files.
Q: Will using mods affect my game’s performance?
A: While most mods won’t significantly impact performance, some larger mods or numerous mods used simultaneously might. Monitor your game’s performance and adjust accordingly.
Q: Do mods work in multiplayer?
A: Some mods are compatible with multiplayer, but it’s important that all players have the same mods installed to avoid issues.
Where to Find the Best Stardew Valley Mods
Ready to dive into the world of mods? Here are some top places to find them:
- Nexus Mods: A comprehensive and trusted site with a vast collection of Stardew Valley mods.
- Stardew Valley Mods Subreddit: A community-driven forum where you can find recommendations and support.
- Stardew Valley Wiki: Occasionally features mods and provides detailed guides.
What’s Your Favorite Mod?
Now that we’ve learned about the magic of mods, we’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite Stardew Valley mod, and how has it changed your gameplay? Share your stories and recommendations in the comments below. Your experience could help a fellow farmer enhance their own cozy adventure.
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This blog post was all about Stardew Valley mods.
