# Getting Started with Cornucopia
Welcome to **Cornucopia**, a cozy 2.5D farming simulation game! This guide will help you get started with your new farm life.
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## Your First Day
When you start a new game, you'll wake up from being frozen in ice at the Junction. After the intro cutscene, you'll find yourself at your new farm - Sunflower Farm.
**First things to do:**
1. **Explore your farmhouse** - Your bed saves the game when you sleep
2. **Check your storage shed** - You start with some supplies (soil bags, pet food, pet treats)
3. **Check your fridge** - There's a soda waiting for you
4. **Clear your farm** - Remove rocks, weeds, and branches to make room for crops
5. **Visit the shops** - Buy seeds and meet the townspeople
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## Basic Controls
| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|--------|----------|------------|
| Move | WASD | Left Stick |
| Use Tool | Left Click | A / X |
| Open Inventory | E or Tab | Y / Triangle |
| Interact | F | A / X |
| Open Menu | Escape | Start |
See [[Controls]] for the full control list.
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## Core Activities
### Farming
Your main source of income. Plant seeds, water daily, and harvest when ready.
- Buy seeds from [[Locations/Shops/Sprouts & Sprigs\|Sprouts & Sprigs]] (Penelope's shop)
- Use the hoe to till soil
- Plant seeds and water them every day
- Harvest crops when fully grown
- Use the soil bags in your storage shed to improve soil quality
See [[Mechanics/Farming\|Farming Guide]] for detailed crop information.
### Fishing
Catch fish to sell or cook.
- Get a fishing rod from [[Locations/Shops/Fuji's Seaside Supplies\|Fuji's Seaside Supplies]]
- Fish at the [[Locations/Areas/Beach\|Beach]], rivers, or ponds
- Different fish appear in different seasons and weather
See [[Mechanics/Fishing\|Fishing Guide]] for the complete fishing guide.
### Mining
Explore caves to find ores, gems, and treasures.
- Enter the [[Locations/Dungeons/Old Mines\|Old Mines]] to start mining
- Break rocks with your pickaxe
- Watch your health - enemies lurk in the depths!
See [[Mechanics/Mining\|Mining Guide]] for dungeon strategies.
### Cooking
Turn ingredients into delicious meals with stat buffs.
- Unlock recipes by finding them or leveling up
- Cook at your farmhouse kitchen
- Cooked dishes restore more energy and health
See [[Mechanics/Cooking\|Cooking Guide]] for all 200+ recipes.
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## Making Friends
Talk to villagers daily to build friendship. Give them gifts they love for bonus hearts!
- **34 romanceable characters** - 17 bachelors and 17 bachelorettes
- **Talk twice daily** for friendship points
- **Give gifts** once per day (loved gifts give the most hearts)
- **Attend festivals** for special interactions
See [[Guides/Romance Guide\|Romance Guide]] for dating and marriage.
Browse all characters: [[NPCs/index\|All NPCs]]
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## Shops and Services
| Shop | Owner | What They Sell |
|------|-------|----------------|
| [[Locations/Shops/Sprouts & Sprigs\|Sprouts & Sprigs]] | [[NPCs/Bachelorettes/Penelope\|Penelope]] | Seeds, fertilizer |
| [[Locations/Shops/Harold's Store\|Harold's Store]] | [[NPCs/Other/Harold\|Harold]] | General goods |
| [[Locations/Shops/Sierra's Bakery\|Sierra's Bakery]] | [[NPCs/Bachelorettes/Sierra\|Sierra]] | Baked goods, recipes |
| [[Locations/Shops/Fuji's Seaside Supplies\|Fuji's Seaside Supplies]] | [[NPCs/Bachelors/Mr. Fuji\|Mr. Fuji]] | Fishing supplies |
| [[Locations/Shops/Roger's Carpentry\|Roger's Carpentry]] | [[NPCs/Other/Roger\|Roger]] | Furniture, upgrades |
See [[Locations/Shops/index\|All Shops]] for more stores.
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## Tips for New Players
1. **Water your crops daily** - Unwatered crops won't grow
2. **Check the weather** - Rain waters crops automatically
3. **Upgrade your tools** - Higher-tier tools work faster and cover more area
4. **Save energy** - Eat food to restore stamina
5. **Sleep before 2 AM** - Passing out has penalties
6. **Check the calendar** - Don't miss festivals and birthdays
7. **Use your storage shed** - You start with soil bags to improve your farm's soil
8. **Explore everywhere** - Hidden items and areas await
![[Random Overworld Chest.png]]
*Look for treasure chests hidden throughout the world!*
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## Seasons
Each season lasts 28 days:
- **Spring** - Plant parsnips, potatoes, and flowers
- **Summer** - Grow melons, tomatoes, and corn
- **Fall** - Harvest pumpkins, grapes, and cranberries
- **Winter** - Focus on mining, fishing, and foraging
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## Next Steps
Once you're comfortable with the basics:
- [[Cornucopia Game Guide]] - Complete game overview
- [[First Week Guide]] - Day-by-day walkthrough
- [[Guides/Romance Guide\|Romance Guide]] - Dating and marriage
- [[Advanced Strategies Guide]] - Pro tips
- [[Achievements/index\|Achievements]] - 97 Steam achievements to unlock
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## Quick Links
- [[Home]] - Wiki home page
- [[NPCs/index\|All NPCs]] - Meet everyone
- [[Mechanics/index\|Game Mechanics]] - All systems explained
- [[Festivals/index\|Festivals]] - Seasonal events
- [[Seasons/index\|Seasons]] - Season guides
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[[Home|← Back to Home]]
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*Happy farming!*