In an exciting moment for gamers worldwide, Stardew Valley, the much-loved farming and life simulation game, has achieved something truly big. It recently broke a 14-year-old record on Steam that was previously held by Portal 2, a highly acclaimed puzzle game from Valve.
This achievement shows how strong the gaming community around Stardew Valley still is—even years after its launch. But what exactly is this record, and why does it matter so much? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Is the Steam “Most Positive” Review Record?
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On Steam, users can rate games after playing them. These reviews help other gamers decide whether they should buy a game or not. When enough players give a game a “positive” rating, it shows up in Steam’s charts as being “Overwhelmingly Positive.”
For a long time, Portal 2 was the top-rated game in terms of total number of positive reviews. Released back in 2011, Portal 2 had built a massive fanbase and continued to receive praise for its clever puzzles, unique storytelling, and fun co-op gameplay. It was one of the most beloved games on Steam for over a decade.
But now, Stardew Valley has taken over that spot.
Stardew Valley Now Has the Most Positive Reviews on Steam
As of July 2025, Stardew Valley officially became the game with the highest number of positive reviews on Steam. According to recent counts, the game has received over 600,000 positive reviews, slightly edging past Portal 2.
This is no small feat.
What makes it even more impressive is that Stardew Valley was created by just one person—Eric Barone, also known by his developer name, ConcernedApe. Unlike big studios that work with huge teams, Barone worked alone on the game for over four years before releasing it in 2016.
Since then, the game has gained popularity year after year through word of mouth, YouTube content, TikTok reels, and social media love. It’s now considered one of the greatest indie games of all time.
Why Is Stardew Valley So Popular?
It may look like a simple farming simulator, but Stardew Valley is more than that. Here are a few reasons why players love it:
- Relaxing gameplay: There’s no pressure. You can farm, fish, explore, or just walk around your pixel village.
- Freedom of choice: Players can grow crops, raise animals, mine for treasures, fight monsters, decorate homes, and even get married.
- Emotional connection: The characters feel real. Each villager has a story, and over time, you build relationships with them.
- Constant updates: Even after release, the developer kept adding new features and expanding the world, often for free.
In a fast-paced world where many games focus on action, competition, or pressure, Stardew Valley gives players a calm, peaceful escape. And it turns out that’s exactly what millions of people want.
A Victory for Indie Developers
The fact that Stardew Valley has now surpassed a massive game like Portal 2 is not just a win for the game—it’s a win for indie game developers around the world.
It proves that one person, with enough passion and dedication, can create something that competes with—or even beats—big-budget games from major studios. It sends a strong message: creativity and love for your craft still matter.
What’s Next for Stardew Valley?
Eric Barone has already confirmed that he’s working on a new game called Haunted Chocolatier. But that doesn’t mean Stardew Valley is done.
In fact, he recently released the 1.6 update, which added a bunch of new features, festivals, dialog, multiplayer improvements, and even fresh items to discover.
The game is also being ported to more platforms, and new fans are still discovering it every day.
With the way things are going, Stardew Valley might not just hold the most positive reviews—but may also become one of the most played games of all time on Steam.
Final Thoughts
The gaming world changes fast. Games come and go. But Stardew Valley shows us that slow and steady still wins the race.
What started as a quiet little farming game made by one person is now the most positively reviewed game on Steam. It has beaten Portal 2, a giant in the gaming world, and it did so through kindness, creativity, and community.
