When Stardew Valley launched in 2016, it redefined what a farm life sim could be. Developed solo by ConcernedApe, the game became a blueprint for nearly every cozy life sim that followed, proving that one person could create a game as deep and culturally impactful as a big-budget release. Now, almost a decade later, a new urban farm life sim is taking cues from that same foundation—but with its own modern twist.
Sunkissed City is being developed by Arthur “Mr. Podunkian” Lee, who worked on post-launch updates for Stardew Valley. While it’s immediately reminiscent of its predecessor in visuals and mechanics, the upcoming title brings a fresh urban setting, expanded customization, and quality-of-life features that could set it apart.
Lee joined ConcernedApe in 2019 to assist with major post-launch updates to Stardew Valley, particularly versions 1.4 through 1.6. His contributions helped refine gameplay, expand content, and smooth out bugs during those updates. In 2022, he left the team to focus on Sunkissed City, described on Steam as “a life-sim set in an upbeat, sun-kissed seaside metropolis full of funky vibes and quirky characters.”
Although the visuals and charm will feel familiar to Stardew Valley fans, Lee emphasizes that Sunkissed City is not meant to replace or copy the original. Instead, it builds on years of lessons learned, adapting proven systems into a new urban playground.
At its core, Sunkissed City keeps the familiar farm life loop: gardening, fishing, foraging, socializing with NPCs, romance options, home customization, and town activities. However, the game places these mechanics in a lively cityscape called Apollo City. Players can tend rooftop gardens, explore parks, cafes, and neighborhoods, and even tackle adventurous side activities like monster-infested sewer dives.
Some key features include:
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Urban Farming: Grow plants and crops in city gardens and rooftop plots.
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Fishing & Foraging: Built-in quality-of-life systems indicate which fish or resources are available based on location, time, and weather.
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NPC Relationships & Romance: Form bonds with quirky cityfolk and pursue personal storylines.
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Customization: Deep options for characters, clothing, and home décor.
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Co-Op Multiplayer: Play solo or with friends locally and online.
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Accessibility & Difficulty Options: Tailor the experience to fit different skill levels.
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Dynamic City Exploration: Interconnected urban spaces make gardening and social life feel integrated, not isolated.
What makes Sunkissed City stand out is how it incorporates improvements that Stardew Valley added only after multiple updates. For example, fishing now comes with visual cues that remove guesswork, and social systems feel more naturally integrated into the daily flow rather than being a checklist.
The biggest evolution is in how the game rethinks space. Rather than centering everything on a single farm, progression is spread across a bustling city. Gardening, foraging, and interactions are woven into daily life, creating a sense of immersion and connection. Optional combat activities, flexible difficulty, and quality-of-life features make the experience feel modern, polished, and player-friendly.
In short, Sunkissed City feels like a confident evolution of the Stardew Valley formula. It preserves the charm of farm life sims while modernizing systems and offering an urban playground that encourages exploration, creativity, and social interaction. Whether it will achieve the same staying power as Stardew Valley remains to be seen, but it already shows the promise of a vibrant, fresh take on a beloved genre.
