Parents' Guide to Stardew Valley

This absorbing farm simulation is entirely what you choose to make of it. Even if you're not inclined to delve into the immersive depths of Stardew Valley, if you stick with it long enough, something will hook you. It takes a few hours to get your bearings and understand what there is to see, explore, and even poke at, but in this game, literally, seasons pass and so many things pop up—fishing, mining, spelunking, foraging, cooking, luaus, haunted mazes, arcade games—that it can all seem daunting at first. But it's part of living in a place that's meant to feel alive, growing, and changing.

The downside of Stardew Valley is that its expansiveness can just as easily feel aimless and underwhelming. Where are you supposed to go? Whom should you talk to? What should you do, and why? What should you choose not to do, and why not? The game throws a lot at you from the outset, and it's unclear why what you're doing matters or won't matter, and that can be a little frustrating. Still, it's worth riding it out for a few hours at least. It's a paltry entrance fee given what the complex game can potentially yield.