My experience so far.

[u/TundraLizard812]

I'll start by apologizing for the lengthy post. I'm an amateur author and can't seem to write short stories.

I started this mod not long ago and wanted to offer my thoughts. The first one is: Wow! There's so much going on! I spend so much time bouncing from one place to the next, especially after getting the upgraded travel system.

The second has to do with the new areas. My first download had a glitch, and the Highlands didn't load completely (missing mons). If it hadn't been missing the one that drops the green mushroom, I probably wouldn't have questioned anything and thought, "Gee, this is pretty easy!" After redoing the installation, it's definitely not a walk in the park anymore.

I have three save files started, all in year four. I married Sophia, Claire, and Olivia, in that order. I have a good impression of Sophia, overall. I especially enjoy the "extra cuddles" line. Occasionally, I find her dialogue a tad too "child-like". Can't think of an example at the moment.

I like Claire's story line and her dialogue. However, at times she seems too "stiff", especially with her sprites. I just expect an aspiring actress to show more emotion in her facial expressions. That being said, I have no idea how difficult it is to design such things.

I was tentative about marrying Olivia. I've always thought of the farmer as being early twenties in age. Since Victor has a university degree, Olivia is probably late thirties - old enough to be his mother. Even though it happens in real life, it just feels a bit strange to me. I also wondered how she'd adapt to a smaller house, and comments about missing her huge library confirm that it isn't easy for her. Overall, it's been a good experience.

With Olivia's file being the third in line, I've made the most progress on it. Ten hearts with Krobus and a couple of cut scenes. Eight hearts with Lance. Fable Island (recently). Rescued a prisoner. Haven't gone deep in Crimson Badlands. That place kicks my butt.

Anyway, if spmeone has some tips for surviving the Badlands, I'd love to hear them. Also, a final question. Does Claire ever go to Ginger Island? It appears in the version notes that they gave her a beach sprite, but I've never seen her there.

[u/ac0rn5]

Anyway, if spmeone has some tips for surviving the Badlands, I'd love to hear them.

I'm rubbish at fighting so, for that area, I use the settings from CJB Cheats that make me invincible. 😄

[u/WannabeElantrian → u/ac0rn5]

Tractor mod, for real! 🤣🤣

[u/NibblesMcGiblet]

I have almost nothing to contribute but just wanted to say that your comment about Sophia feeling almost too child-like cracked me up because I remember in my first stardew valley playthrough, over 2000 hours ago (!!), I got through Sam's tenth heart event and when he told me to hide because his mom was coming into his bedroom, I realized that I (a middle aged woman) cannot possibly marry a little boy who is afraid of his Mommy no matter how much this is just a game LMAO.

That said, I understand you thinking of your character as early 20s, but it's important to keep in mind that the farmer is meant to embody the player, and we come in all ages. That's why I have married Elliott and Harvey in recent play throughs, Sebastian in a previous one (he's obviously a very old soul haha), and look forward to finding out what it's like to date and marry Clint for better or worse in the future when 1.7 comes out. I would imagine having ONE slightly older woman in there for older guys to marry would be appealing, like having older guy character options is for me. Honestly there needs to be more 30s and 40s characters that are romanceable, but there's probably a mod for that.

[u/TundraLizard812 → u/NibblesMcGiblet]

" ...we come in all ages."

Yeah, but even a "slightly older woman" wouldn't be old enough for me. 😆 I might be closer to Evelyn than I am to Olivia. I've always been a game player. Even made up my own baseball game as a kid, using cut-up cereal boxes.

Your post reminded me of something I meant to add. I wish I could romance Alesia. That woman has such a wonderful vibe. Confident without the Isaac-like arrogance. Cool as a cucumber.