For cozy console gamers, waiting for the Stardew Valley 1.6 patch has been excruciating. Developer ConcernedApe dropped the patch for PC back in March and console gamers like myself were left in limbo waiting about seven months for access.

Patches for games tend to just include minor bug fixes and small updates, but this patch was massive. It added several new game components including events, items, skills and non-player characters (NPCs). Stardew Valley already had relatively high replay value and this patch seems to have pushed that over the edge.

For those that have been living under a rock, Stardew Valley is an independently developed (indie) farm simulation role-playing game. ConcernedApe, the solo developer released this game in 2016. A cult following quickly formed around it and I became a loyal follower. It was the sweetest flavor-aid I’d ever tasted.

When ConcernedApe released that he was adding so much new stuff to the game in this patch I foamed at the mouth with desperation. Nov. 4 could not come soon enough and when my update finished downloading to my Nintendo Switch, I shirked any and all responsibilities so that I could fully immerse myself.

With the addition of books, players can collect special skills outside of the skill tree. New items such as the dehydrator offer farmers a more efficient way to use surplus produce. Quick turn-around and high value make them appealing for players that like to generate as much income as possible.

Moss is a new item that is used in crafting several other new items like a “Treasure Totem” that summons a ring of rare items the player can excavate. It’s also used to craft “Blue Grass” which can be eaten by farm animals and increases their happiness faster. “Deluxe Bait” and a “Deluxe Worm Bin” also require moss to craft and make fishing faster and easier.

Considering just how large this patch is and how much content it adds to the game, it’s no wonder it took so long to release. So far, I’ve found three new furniture catalogues for decorating my houses. That content alone would have been sufficient for me, but ConcernedApe wanted this to be amazing.

I haven’t unlocked all the new features yet and I’m learning each time I play just how much has been added in this patch. I couldn’t be happier with it, except for one bug that doesn’t properly display the number of supplies at hand when crafting at a workbench. I have a feeling this will be fixed soon because I have faith in my supreme ruler ConcernedApe.

ConcernedApe wants these updates to remain completely free for users. I respect that he isn’t compelled to format his game as “pay-to-play” like many other developers do. I’ve purchased this game 3 times across different platforms for various reasons and it’s never been more than $20.

Now that this patch has been released, ConcernedApe can recenter his focus on “the Haunted Chocolatier.” He teased this game briefly but development stopped once he realized that releasing the patch on console was going to take considerably more effort. I can’t wait to foam at the mouth again.