Gaming

The game is kind of a chore at first when you have to manually water your crops. Once you’re more established and have sprinklers you can really put a lot of the farming on autopilot.

I can see why the time mechanic is there but I agree it can be a negative point to the game. You're not the first person I see complaining about this.

I liked the game enough but needing to get a rare fish that can only be fished at certain season, certain time period and only when raining to complete quests was annoying, as was needing to get out of the dungeon while I was having a good run because of time. It would have been better if there were alternative means to get the fish, like buying from the fisherman, and the option to camp in the dungeon.

I actually feel like Harvest Moon was more chill and relaxing. Stardew Valley stressed me out because I felt like if I didn't manage my time properly I was doing it wrong which felt weird given the game's message about leaving the demanding stressful work life of the city behind.

As someone who loves stardew (I have 1000+ hours in it) I can see what you mean. I hope you'll find mods you like, but maybe it's just better to try other games like sun haven? Never played it myself but I read it eliminates exactly this time managing thing stardew has. And yeah, the fishing is hard. I heard "The fishing in Stardew is the souls-like in farming Minigames" a lot and I think it's true.