AStardew Valleyplayer has come across a moral quandary when it comes to achieving perfection in the game. Giving into the big JoJa corporation may feel like a betrayal of the core message of the overall game, but in reality, it is not a villainous decision as so many think.

Redditordavidm998recently revealed they were almost at 100% achievement status when it came to attaining Perfection inStardew Valley. However,their claim to victory was postponed when they realized that taking this title home meant going down the JoJa Route.

The shuttered and dilapidated storefront of the closed JojaMart in Stardew Valley. A sign has been placed in front of its branding, so it now reads, “Life’s [terminated] Joja."

Choosing The JoJa Path In Stardew Valley Comes At A Cost

Players' Decision To Take JoJa Route Feel Morally Gray

Davidm998 perfectly illustrated the frustration of most players attempting to achieve Perfection, noting in the very title of their post, “I know what I have to do but I don’t know if I have the strength to do it.” They then showed a picture capturing how the only accomplishment missing from Perfection was taking the JoJa route.Taking the JoJa route does feel like a betrayal of the game’s core,which is heavily focused on small-town farming and the locals that make the community so special.

Players agreed with the original poster, leaving comments about the difficulty they faced when choosing JoJa and the effects it had on the villagers in the small town.Cruxtopherredmentioned howthey could only choose JoJa by seeing it as spiting Pierre and not betraying the town, stating their motivation as, “Showing Pierre he’s not the only game in town, and You’d be willing to Ruin the Town to Spite Pierre, makes it sting a little less.” This idea of spiting Pierre was a common thread, and certainly one of the main motivations players had for choosing the JoJa path.

mono’s Portraits Mod from Stardew Valley

More Money, Fewer Problems, And The True Point OfStardew Valley

Choosing the JoJa route will result in minor game changes, but nothing that will turn a player into a villain from an 80’s movie.It will give the player more financial freedom to pursue the tasks they like in townversus having to do things to save up enough money. While I’m no stranger to taking shortcuts for money in gaming, such as using every iteration of “Rosebud” inThe Sims, there is something to be said about players feeling ‘off’ about using a shortcut inStardew Valley.

Letter From Stardew Valley Fan To ConcernedApe Is A Reminder Of How Impactful The Game Is

A heartfelt thank you letter from a player to Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe shows why the game and its maker are so beloved by the community.

Players can build that community through traditional routes, or perhaps by taking the JoJa route, they can strengthen their community by focusing on the tasks they like or by zeroing in on creating relationships. There is no wrong choice inStardew Valley, and while it may feel like a betrayal to pick JoJa at first, the player is ultimately picking the play style that works best for them. By deciding which path they see most fitting, fans can be a part of their little town in a major way, all while putting their best foot forward on their terms.

Stardew Valley characters with two pixel hearts between them, over a blurred screenshot of the game.

mixcollage-08-dec-2024-02-11-pm-2997.jpg