Stardew Valley fans horrified to learn about game's 'distressing' hidden scene

Stardew Valley enthusiasts have been rocked by the revelation that the game isn't as cosy as it first appears. Since its launch in 2016, this farm life simulation has become a beloved staple for gamers seeking a tranquil escape, and it's even set the standard for similar games that have followed. In Stardew Valley, players play the role of a farmer who inherits their grandfather's farm in Pelican Town. They then get to work planting crops, tending to animals, befriending villagers, and exploring the dangerous mines.

Millions of fans have poured countless hours into the game, but many still had no idea that there's a hidden scene buried deep in the game's files – and you can only view it under very specific circumstances. A TikTok user recently went viral after exposing a chilling secret buried in the game's code – under certain conditions, your character can be brutally murdered "in cold blood.". While it's common knowledge among players that the farmer can "die" in the mines from monster attacks if health runs out, this TikToker alleges there's more to it. According to her video, the farmer can also be "pushed off a cliff" by another character, adding a dark twist to the otherwise idyllic game.

The elusive scene unfolds at The Summit, a hidden part of the map that reveals itself only when you achieve "Perfection". To hit this milestone, you need to tick off every box in the game: cook every recipe, sell one of every item, become best mates with all the villagers, catch every fish, and more. In her clip, streamer Millkberry revealed: "If you somehow make it to The Summit without reaching perfection, Mr Qi will be there with some choice words for you. As the background of The Summit glitches out eerily behind you, Mr Qi will 'congratulate' you on reaching perfection before mocking you and calling you selfish.

"He will then call you 'despicable', turning towards the farmer for a split second as the screen cuts to black and the death sound can be heard. The empty Summit will flash creepily on screen for a second before you're woken up by Doctor Harvey.". Fans of Stardew Valley are no strangers to the enigmatic Mr Qi, but for newcomers, he's an oddball character with a penchant for giving the farmer strange challenges - and you'll find out more about him as you progress through the game.

Getting to The Summit without getting the game to 100% involves using a few known bugs, so regular players following the rules won't have to fret about their character meeting an untimely end. Gamers were left gobsmacked by the discovery of a secret scene in a popular video game, a detail that many missed despite sinking hundreds of hours into play. The hidden gem was hailed as "genius" by players who appreciated the developers' creative twist on what could have been a simple glitch fix.