There are plenty of things to do in Stardew Valley, if my own 500+ hours of gameplay are any indication. From becoming the richest farmer in the world to the most daring underground adventurer, or simply challenging yourself with a new farm layout and different choices, it almost feels endless, despite the core gameplay loop largely remaining the same. However, while there are more than enough goals you can set your eyes on, there’s no goal quite like settling down and getting married in Stardew Valley.
This is a feature that’s been in the farm life sim genre for as long as I can remember, with Harvest Moon 64 being my first experience with it in 1999. It’s one thing I prioritize more than anything else in these games, simply because of the time investment it takes to really get a romanceable NPC interested in you, and I’ve done the same thing with every Stardew Valley playthrough. But no matter how many times I’ve played through the game, there is just one marriage candidate that I cannot bring myself to marry more than the one time I already did. Sam is, without a doubt, one villager I’m convinced no one should romantically, and I have my reasons.
I’m Convinced No One Should Marry Stardew Valley’s Sam
Sam Is One of the Most Bland, Immature Villagers in Stardew Valley
Now, I know anytime someone singles out one of Stardew Valley‘s NPCs as unmarriable, it’s stirring the proverbial pot, but I can’t help but feel that, of every villager in the game, Sam is just one that I have a hard time supporting. Despite his outgoing, energetic, and friendly disposition, he’s about as bland as a bar of soap. For the most part, there’s little variation in his character and personality throughout the game, there’s absolutely no intrigue to him, and he’s also just too immature for my tastes. I don’t know if he’s 19 or 21, but neither of those ages sound great for marriage.
Maybe it’s because he fits that early 2000s millennial vibe a little too well, and since those were my most formative years, I’m just burnt out on it all. To be fair, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Sam is one of Stardew Valley‘s unlikable NPCs, because he really is a sweet-natured guy. There’s just no adventure to marrying him because he never changes. He’s almost too consistent, too positive, and too nice, giving off that “guy-next-door” kind of energy that’s more suitable for that friend that you just want to hang out with every once in a while because they can be a bit much at times.
I Know I’m Not Alone in This
I know I’m not alone in this sentiment either, as there are plenty of other Stardew Valley fans out there who would say Sam is at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to the game’s marriage candidates. It doesn’t mean that he’s a bad or poorly written character, by any means. He just doesn’t have the emotional range and believable growth of almost every other NPC in Stardew Valley. What I crave in a romantic relationship in Stardew Valley — and even just a friendship, for that matter — is plenty of nuance, which Sam just doesn’t have.
To each their own, though. I understand there is a community of Stardew Valley players out there who would say Sam is perfect for marriage in the game, but he’s just not my cup of tea. I do enjoy interacting with him as a friend, and his optimism can break up the more disheartening moments of the game’s other characters. However, I’ll stick with Penny or Abigail as my top choices.
Stardew Valley
- Released
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February 26, 2016
- ESRB
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E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
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ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
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ConcernedApe
- Engine
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Proprietary
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