The slow quiet life in a small town can seem like the perfect escape for anyone stuck at a dead-end corporate job in a bustling city. That’s the fantasy Stardew Valley presents to its players, and in doing so, the game itself becomes a refuge for anyone yearning for a simpler life where their every day anxieties don’t matter.
Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.