They wouldn’t have carried it around if they had to use their hands.

SDV has a really satisfying farm-reward cycle. It’s also very varied and you are free to pursue multiple possible paths for character growth as well.

Now that you mention it, there is a feeling of being rushed by the day-night cycle in SV. And I think that may be part of why I found it “grounding” during the pandemic but a bit of a hassle these days.

Stardew Valley is not a bad game.