Navigating Two Extremes

After ending my Game Pass subscription I had to navigate the complex feelings related to figuring out what to play next.  My mindset right now (thanks to trying to cope with a global pandemic and all the uncertainty related to that whole situation) is one that is very unsettled.  Thanks to that weirdness, I've been bouncing back and forth between two games that in no sane way remotely go together--Stardew Valley and Doom (2016).

I was eyeballing my vast Steam library and trying to figure out exactly what I did feel like playing.  In the early days of lockdown I was dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety.  I didn't feel like picking up something heavy or stressful and was just looking for something light and escapist.  What better way to relax than building up your farming empire, making new friends, and rebuilding a community!  I had initially played Stardew Valley when it was first released and had accomplished most of the major events--the community center had been fully rebuilt, my character was happily married with two kids and a fully expanded house, and the entire community were my new BFF's.--there wasn't much more to do (there actually was...).

Farming 2.0 in Stardew Valley.

Since my last Stardew adventure ceased, the base game has been updated with some fairly large changes.  The largest and most notable is the addition of multiplayer--you can build a farm with a friend!  I haven't ventured into the multiplayer world, but have enjoyed many of the other changes that have been built into the game.  When you start up a new game you can choose from several different farm layouts--I opted for a farm bordered by forests which provides some hardwood stumps that are refreshed daily.  The painful process of gift giving and figuring out what everyone loves or hates has been simplified with the addition of a log for each character that records how they feel about the gift you just gave them.  A number of different farm buildings have been added to the game--you can build your own mill to make flour or sugar; there's a fish pond which you can stock with fish who will produce certain fish related items; you can build a shed and put whatever you want in it; and, thanks to multiplayer, you can build a cabin for your friend!

This time around I decided I would try to complete some of the things that I didn't achieve the first time.  The Adventurer's Guild monster slaying objectives I only half-finished, so this time I decided that it would be my goal to finish all the tasks.  Little did I know that new monster types had been added into the game and one type in particular is somewhat difficult to find--Pepper Rex's are a fire-spewing dinosaurs that live in the Skull Mines.  The occasionally appear on normal mine levels, but they are numerous on the new prehistoric levels which you can find as you navigate the skull mine.  The goal is to kill 50...and I still haven't accomplished it despite being in year three of my farm!  Only once have I found myself on a prehistoric level and I've had to settle for the very sporadic times when a random Pepper Rex will appear on a regular mine level.  Currently, I think I'm about halfway to my goal--26 Pepper Rex's down.  I plan on finishing it even though it has been much grindier than I expected.

There have also been new additions to late game items.  Krobus, the shadow creature that lives in the sewers, now sells a very expensive Return Scepter (2,000,000 gold) which can be used to return your character to your farm from any location--no crafting required!  Two million gold is no small sum though and will require some serious farming.  After you've fully upgraded your house, Robin will present you with a new option--the ability to spend 500,000 gold and 900 wood to build a house for Pam.  I just completed this goal and it was one of the nicest moments in the game--Pam, is one of the characters in the game who is a bit complicated, and she's is overjoyed to have a house rather than the trailer that she shares with her daughter Penny.  Pam promises that she'll clean up her act and be a better mother to Penny.

When it comes to adventuring, there's a new vendor in the Calico Desert who sells a variety of items which can be purchased with mine-related currency (omni geodes, gems, and monster loot).  The items are mostly cosmetic, but are very fun.  For 333 omni geodes you can purchase a psychedelic cowboy hat that changes colors.  I'm very far from that goal because I am spending my geodes on artifact troves (crates which are like geodes and can be broken open by Clint, the blacksmith) with the hope of completing the artifact collection for the library (three artifacts left!).

After I get tired of all that farming and mine traversing, I do a full switch of the gears and play some Doom.  Like Stardew, I played Doom several years ago and hadn't picked it up since.  I completed the game the first time around, but didn't accomplish some of the more exploration related tasks--namely, I didn't find all the rune challenges or the collectibles (I really just wanted to punch stuff).  This time, I'm carefully monitoring the map and taking the time to puzzle out how to reach the items I missed the first time.  I've done a pretty good job and have found and completed all the rune challenges, found all the weapon upgrade drones, and only have a few collectibles to go.  I forgot about how much fun Doom is--fast-paced, furious shooting, and tearing demons apart with your bare, demon slaying hands.  I'm thinking a trek into the newest Doom chapter, Doom Eternal, is planned for my future (I'm hoping for a good summer sale price).

Whatever weird combination of games helps keep you sane right now, just keep on playing!