I’m not sure what you’re saying here … 1.6 is an upcoming full game update for Stardew that will add even more content, which he was simultaneously developing with Haunted Chocolatier. They are a very small independent operation, and game development takes more time the fewer employees you have. The fact that they have continued improving the game for 7 years adding free content at the original price point is actually quite remarkable.
The 1.6 update addresses the ability to create add-ons (mods) more easily, which will aid efforts in the modding community to create things like Expanded with less fussing about in third party programs and tools which currently allow them to work.
Fr. The only other game that comes close is Terraria. Both have only improved as the years have gone by.
Wish SV was my cup of tea.
Terraria. I wanted to like that game but immediately found it unenjoyable and disagreeable in every way. I’m still waiting for a Stardew Valley-like game that is actually good (i.e., has farming without ridiculous missions like "find the cows and build a pen for them) and doesn’t require the player to “craft” his own tools with ridiculously complicated mechanics. I hated “My Time in Portia” for the incredibly difficult crafting, that had no tutorial or explanation and was very poorly conceived.
Right, forgot about that one. Never played it.
In Roguelikes and Roguelike-adjenct games there are also a few games that get close. (I’d even argue some totally eclipse SV/Terraria in that regard, but that depends on your definition.) Some, but not all, of them are even completely free and open source.
Off the top of my head, a few examples would include Dwarf Fortress, UnReal World and Nethack. Maybe some Space Station 13 servers if you count that too.
If you’re in to that, check out Clan Lord. It’s been running since ‘99 with monthly updates.
Spoiler: 1.6 sneak peek from ConcernedApe’s Twitter posted Sept. 27, 2023