Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, the creator of Stardew Valley, recently accomplished one of the most challenging feats within his own game: earning the elusive “Fector’s Challenge” achievement. Something that has eluded me for years!
As cozy gaming fans know, Stardew Valley is a pixel art farming sim packed with countless hours of relaxing gardening, fishing, and exploring. But for those who dive deep, there’s an entirely different layer of difficulty waiting in one of its in-game minigames, Journey of the Prairie King. This achievement isn’t just rare—it’s almost legendary, and it took even Barone, who created the game, a full eight years to earn.
Journey of the Prairie King is an arcade-style, twin-stick shooter that players can access from the Stardrop Saloon in Stardew Valley. It’s a challenging, retro-style minigame where waves of enemies attack from all sides, forcing players to dodge, shoot, and survive as long as possible. The game has three main stages, each with multiple levels and a boss, and the enemies grow tougher as you advance. Players start with a few lives, and while losing some lives along the way is usually acceptable, Fector’s Challenge requires you to make it through the entire game without dying once. Achieving this is not just about skill but also a bit of luck, as grabbing the right power-ups at the right time can make or break your run.
As a Stardew Valley fan and cozy game reviewer, this story is fascinating because Stardew Valley has become known as a game where players can go at their own pace, designing their farms, relationships, and routines to their liking. The minigame’s high-stakes challenge stands in sharp contrast to the rest of the game’s relaxed and meditative vibe. It’s a reminder that there’s depth in Stardew Valley that goes beyond farming and friendships. Only about 1.2% of all players on Steam have earned Fector’s Challenge, which speaks to just how difficult it really is, and the fact that the game’s own creator had to work for it shows it’s a real test.
In a post on X/Twitter, Barone revealed he finally beat the minigame without a single death on October 25, 2024. His success sparked celebration and inspired players everywhere to try their hand at Fector’s Challenge, even if it’s widely accepted that this achievement is exceptionally hard to pull off. It’s rare to see a game creator achieve something so challenging in their own game, and it gives Stardew Valley fans something new to admire about Barone and his dedication to the game.
If you’re considering taking on Fector’s Challenge, keep in mind it’s tough—maybe not for everyone—and it may take practice. Still, knowing that Barone could do it might just be enough motivation to keep fans giving it a try. On top of that, Stardew Valley’s recent 1.6 update, available on PC and coming to consoles in early November, promises even more features and content, making it the perfect time to dive back into the game, whether you’re mastering Prairie King or relaxing on the farm.
Have you mastered Journey of the Prairie King long ago? I recommend trying one of these cozy games like Stardew Valley next.
Stay cozy, gamers!