It's official - solo Stardew Valley developer Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has unlocked every single achievement in his own game, and he's now got some tips for players looking to do the same.
Stardew Valley released on PC in 2016, marking a solid eight years since the beloved farming sim's launch - but in that near-decade, even ConcernedApe himself has struggled to master one of the game's most difficult feats. With only 1.2% of all total players on Steam having overcome Fector's Challenge, this comes as little surprise. After all, the grueling achievement requires fans to beat the minigame 'Journey of the Prairie King' without dying.
I honestly personally can't even count how much time I spent in The Stardrop Saloon myself, but it's comforting to know that even ConcernedApe only just unlocked Fector's Challenge. As the dev's recent post highlighting his new 100% in Stardew Valley showcases, he beat the achievement on October 25. According to the creator, he actually "deliberately worked on Fector's Challenge because it was the only one I didn't have."
Finally got 100% achievements in Stardew Valley pic.twitter.com/hoaSmDnTWiOctober 29, 2024
He also jokes that "the dev gave me a pat on the back," but offers advice for hopeful fans of the sim, too. "You need money, so don't use the 'nukes' because the enemies don't drop anything from that," explains ConcernedApe. "Purchase the best item you can afford in this order: ammo > revolver > boots. Save a machine gun powerup for fighting Fector, you can take him down before he even has a chance to attack."
These are some solid tips that I think I'll take to heart myself - maybe I'll unlock the achievement one day as well. At least I know I'm not alone, with the comments under ConcernedApe's post are proving as much. "Damn," writes one player. "I think I've got renewed hope now to get this achievement!" Elsewhere, a fan questions how they can beat Junimo Kart instead of Fector's Challenge - yet another unforgiving Stardew Valley minigame.
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