Exploring Stardew Valley's Highly Anticipated 1.7 Update and Prequel Graphic Novel

By  Published Apr 5, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond.  Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

fans are incredibly hyped for the upcoming release of update 1.7, which solo developer ConcernedApe has been working hard on for what players hope is a 2026 release. After the official new marriage candidates were revealed just a few weeks back, excitement is at an all-time high for the 1.7 update.

If you're looking for something to fill the time while you wait, there's actually an incredible Stardew Valley prequel available to check out right now, and it's an absolute hit among fans (via ).

Stardew Valley: Before The Farmer Prequel Is Incredible

If you can't get enough of the Stardew Valley-verse, you definitely should check out the official prequel, Stardew Valley: Before the Farmer. It's an officially licensed 144-page graphic novel by Chihiro Sakaida that details life in Stardew Valley for in the year leading up to the farmer's arrival.

The story "follows the lives of the villagers through the ups and the downs, the disappointments and the celebrations... as well as the arrival of the Joja Corporation," and you can claim it now for just under $30 USD on the official FanGamer website. This prequel comes in a high-quality, 5.5 x 8.5-inch hardcover with a woodgrain-style, gold foil-laden and embossed cover.

Before the Farmer is printed on "gentle creme-colored paper with brown ink for a natural look," and includes bilingual dialogue in both Japanese and English. Further, the dust-jacket doubles as a full-size cover art illustration poster you can put up on your wall, and players will also get an authentic "hand-sealed letter from Grandpa with embossed Pelican Town seal sticker, along with a beautiful illustration of your new farmhouse!"

Before the Farmer is a must-read prequel that enhances the Stardew Valley experience for even the most die-hard fans. There are tons of nuanced details that "bring the story and the valley to life," and you'll be getting a ton of value for what you're spending.

When Will Stardew Valley 1.7 Release?

After ConcernedApe's recent announcement of the official players can expect in update 1.7 (Clint and Sandy), excitement for the update is at an all-time high, despite the romance choices being extremely controversial among players. However, we still don't have official word just yet for Stardew Valley 1.7's release date.

Based on the timeline for previous major updates, fans on have narrowed down a realistic release window based on when ConcernedApe announced 1.7 was in the works. As explains, "Concerned Ape announced the 1.6 update on April 16, 2026 and it was released on March 19, 2026, so about 11 months between announcement and release."

As such, players are very optimistic about a 2026 release given ConcernedApe first announced the 1.7 update in August 2026, and the reveal of Clint and Sandy as marriage candidates indicates progress is coming along nicely. ConcernedApe clearly has a lot on his plate at the moment with 1.7 and in the works, but if you're dying for a new Stardew Valley experience while you wait for 1.7, be sure to check out the Before the Farmer prequel while you can.

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Like Follow Followed Simulation Systems Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 99% Released February 26, 2016 ESRB Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco Developer(s) ConcernedApe Publisher(s) ConcernedApe Engine Proprietary

Genre(s) , Simulation Expand Collapse

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