Farm maps should be focused on things done specifically on the farm.

[FranklyJustNess]

(4 corners map is MP specific and presents quite a good idea, so that's one I am not gonna talk about at all)
Whenever I start a new game and get to select a farm map I don't really see the reason to pick anything but the default. Even though I won't use all the space I don't like the idea of having less of it available, and a map like the Fishing one also puts quite a lot of limitations on where buildings can be put, which makes it less fun to play. I gave it some thought and I feel like the problem I have is that these maps focus on things that aren't done on the farm; I fight/mine in the mines, I fish in different locations, I forage around the map - letting me do it on the farm doesn't help, it just makes it more tedious to farm there.

In my opinion they should rather focus on different aspects of farming. For example I can fish anywhere but not raise animals, if there was a map on which being a rancher was somehow encouraged instead of planting crops (maybe through faster grass growth, some buildings to repair at lower cost) that could be a nice option, rather than a farm that focuses on something I do not need my farm for.

One specific idea I had was with the Foraging map. One of the things that can be done on the farm is fruit trees and wild tree orchards, but again there isn't really much point choosing any other map for that rather than the default, so I was thinking; why not have Forest map for it. For example it could have grassy ground that can't be hoed but that boosts all tree growth by 50%, add a few summer/fall fruit trees around the map and a couple of features like additional use for tapper produces and an ability to move fruit trees, and you get a rather specific map and not just "smaller farm with some forage and hardwood on it".

Wilderness farm could have something to do with slime ranching, it is a farm specific action. I am not quite sure how it would work, but it's a start of an idea.

The recent Beach farm I am not a fan of. It's fine and more unique, but my problem is that it doesn't really give anything. The map takes away the sprinklers and makes farming harder, but there is no "but". It's just worse and that's not a good way to create a more interesting map to play. It for example makes being a rancher more appealing, but not by making it easier or more interesting, but by making the alternative worse. Where it gives is beach fishing and beach foraging... which can be done by walking to the beach instead. Again if a map doesn't focus on something specific to the farm area it's just not gonna work well.

I just wish there was more of a reason to pick other maps than the default than just "it looks nice" or "I just want to try something else" or "just want more of a challenge".

 

[Freizeitfarmer]

So you are asking for special "features" or tools for each type of farm? This would bring stronger differences between all types at least.

 

[Tekalh]

I disagree beach farm does give stuff, not worth sprinkler loss but it gives fishing places, new foraging and supply crates also exist. Gives less emphasis on farming and more ranching, and gives point to the greenhouse (ginger island made it kinda pointless after a year or two)

 

[FranklyJustNess]

I disagree beach farm does give stuff, not worth sprinkler loss but it gives fishing places, new foraging and supply crates also exist. Gives less emphasis on farming and more ranching, and gives point to the greenhouse (ginger island made it kinda pointless after a year or two)

Fishing and foraging can be done on the beach proper (though picking this map results in more forage overall) and supply crates are not great. As for ranching and greenhouse; I talked about it, it doesn't make them more interesting or better, it just punishes the player for doing the alternative. It doesn't encourage ranching, it discourages farming.

 

[Tekalh]

Fishing and foraging can be done on the beach proper (though picking this map results in more forage overall) and supply crates are not great. As for ranching and greenhouse; I talked about it, it doesn't make them more interesting or better, it just punishes the player for doing the alternative. It doesn't encourage ranching, it discourages farming.

You're right it does discourage farming, but it makes the greenhouse alot more valuable and ranching is the only sustainable method of making money. The whole point of making money in stardew valley breaks very quickly since farming, when optimized, can give stupid amounts of money.

The beach farm prevents this by disabling sprinklers which encourages the player to use other in-game methods of money making. It definitely isn't good for first time players but if you're like me who has monopolized the game in a 100-200 hour playthrough already and looking for a challenge, beach is definitely the way to go without mods.

 

[Ellajoy]

You're right it does discourage farming, but it makes the greenhouse alot more valuable and ranching is the only sustainable method of making money. The whole point of making money in stardew valley breaks very quickly since farming, when optimized, can give stupid amounts of money.

The beach farm prevents this by disabling sprinklers which encourages the player to use other in-game methods of money making. It definitely isn't good for first time players but if you're like me who has monopolized the game in a 100-200 hour playthrough already and looking for a challenge, beach is definitely the way to go without mods.

Yes!