Almost 10 years after its debut, Stardew Valley has become the highest-rated indie game on Steam, highlighting a significant achievement for this cherished farming simulator. Following a series of substantial updates in 2024, the game has welcomed both new and returning players, continuing to enchant its fans while reaching this remarkable status.

Stardew Valley is widely regarded as one of the greatest life simulation games ever, along with being celebrated as one of the best indie titles. With the recently released much-anticipated Update 1.6, the game not only hit unprecedented player counts but also saw its popularity soar. This enjoyable title has reached numerous impressive milestones over the years and has now officially topped Steam’s all-time indie charts.

According to SteamDB, Stardew Valley boasts an overall user rating of 97.66%. When paired with its impressive 98% positive reviews from over 761,869 users on its official Steam page, Stardew Valley stands as the highest-rated indie title on the platform ever. The game’s rating places it above notable indie contenders such as Vampire Survivors, Hades, Balatro, and even Terraria. Furthermore, when compared to non-indie games, the charming farming title remains highly ranked. Data from SteamDB indicates Stardew Valley as the second highest-rated game of all time across all genres on the platform, with Portal 2 holding the current number one position among all Steam releases.

Similar to laid-back life simulations like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley gained prominence for its simple yet fulfilling gameplay, engaging NPC interactions, and various customization options. In recent years, indie games have gained significant traction, and audiences have praised this long-standing life-simulation staple for its rise to the highest rungs of indie game ratings while managing to compete with major AAA titles. While it remains uncertain how long Stardew Valley will retain its title as the top-rated indie title, it is no surprise that this powerhouse, developed solo, has secured its legacy as one of the best indie games of all time.