Stardew Valley Expanded (SVE) has recently released its latest version and with it comes an expanded Joja storyline. Many players are debating whether to take the Joja route or the Community Center route to restore the Community Center and complete the game. Both routes have their pros and cons, and it can be difficult to decide which path to choose.
The community center route is the most direct and shortest path to the finish line, but it is also the slowest. To restore the community center, players must collect various items and complete certain tasks. The main advantage of this route is that it doesn’t require any money to complete it. However, it can take quite a bit of time to do, and some players may find it more difficult than the Joja route.
In contrast, the Joja route has very little to spend time on and is a great time sink for experienced players. Joining JojaMart also has its benefits, including access to cheaper seeds and discounts on certain items.
When deciding which route to take, it is important to consider the terrain and personal preferences. Experimenting to find what works best is a great way to figure out which route will be the best for the player. Players may also want to keep in mind that their choices throughout the game will affect their relationships with the characters, and the gameplay itself.
The Joja route
This route allows you to bypass the Community Center and unlock the same benefits for a fraction of the cost. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to complete the Joja Route in an efficient and cost-effective way.
First, wait until the cutscene with Lewis, where he shows you the damaged, broken-down community center. Afterward, you will be able to purchase a Joja membership for 5000 gold. This membership is essential to progress through the game.
Once you’ve purchased your membership, Morris will offer you some community development projects. The Mine Carts project will cost 15,000 gold to complete and will save you a lot of time getting to the mines in the early game. The Panning project will cost 20,000 gold and will remove the boulder and allow you to pan. The Bridge project will cost 25,000 gold and will repair the bridge by the mines and get you access to the quarry. The Greenhouse project will cost 35,000 gold and will restore the greenhouse on your farm. Lastly, the Bus project will cost 40,000 gold and will unlock the bus and get you to access to the desert.
For the last two options, you can pick them in any order you want. I recommend restoring the bridge and unlocking the quarry first and then completing the panning bundle. This will save you time getting to Ginger Island.
To complete the Joja route in a highly efficient way, start off by planting your parsnips on day one. On the fifth day, keep all of your regular quality parsnips and sell the rest. Don’t waste your energy on the fifth day by hoeing and watering crops, head straight to the mines and get as deep as you possibly can. When you’re in the mines, pay special attention to gathering as much iron and copper as possible.
On the sixth day, buy as many potato seeds as you can. At the Egg festival, buy as many strawberries as you possibly can. Strawberries are going to allow you to make tons of gold in spring. While you wait for your strawberries to grow, continue to dive into the mines and collect as many resources as you can.
You can also alternate between diving into the mines and fishing for gold. If you spend a lot of time fishing by the time your first batch of strawberries are ready for harvesting, you should have plenty of gold to complete a few of the Joja development projects. With practice and optimization, you can complete the entire Joja route within spring, meaning you can head over to Ginger Island around the middle of summer.
The Joja route is an excellent alternative to the Community Center route. All you need to do is make as much gold as you possibly can and it really isn’t that hard to make enough gold to complete the Joja route within spring. You only need 140,000 gold to complete the Joja route. So, what are you waiting for? Get started with the Joja Route today!
Ultimately, it is up to the player to decide which route to take in Stardew Valley Expanded. Both routes offer unique rewards and experiences, and both can be rewarding in their own way. No matter which route is chosen, players are sure to have a great time as they explore the world of Stardew Valley.