After 500 Hours in Stardew Valley, I’m Still Not Convinced You Should Marry This Villager

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In Stardew Valley, there’s an abundance of activities to explore, as my 500+ hours of playtime have demonstrated. You can strive to be the wealthiest farmer globally, delve into daring underground expeditions, or experiment with various farm designs and decisions – it seems nearly limitless, even though the core gameplay loop essentially stays consistent. Yet, amidst all the objectives you can pursue, there’s something uniquely appealing about establishing a home and tying the knot in Stardew Valley.

This element has been a staple in farm life simulation games since their inception, with Harvest Moon 64 being my introduction to it back in 1999. I always give it top priority in these games due to the significant time required to win over a romantic NPC, and I’ve followed this approach during every Stardew Valley playthrough as well. However, despite numerous game completions, there is only one marriage candidate that I’ve never been able to marry more than once. Sam is someone I believe no player should romantically pursue, and here’s why.

I’m Convinced No One Should Marry Stardew Valley’s Sam

Sam Is One of the Most Bland, Immature Villagers in Stardew Valley

Mentioning one particular character in Stardew Valley as unsuitable for marriage often sparks debate, yet when it comes to Sam, I find him challenging to root for. Despite his lively, cheerful, and sociable nature, he seems as dull as a plain soap bar. Throughout the game, there’s not much change or depth in his character, and he lacks any intrigue. Furthermore, I find him immature, and I’m not convinced by either his claimed age of 19 or 21 for a marriage prospect.

Perhaps it’s due to his strong association with the early 2000s millennial aesthetic, which seems overly familiar given that era was my most influential, causing me to feel somewhat fatigued by it all. While Sam may not quite fall into the category of unlikable NPCs in Stardew Valley, he is certainly predictable in his nature. Despite being a kind and amiable individual, marrying him offers little excitement as he remains constant without any character development. His perpetual positivity and kindness give off a “neighborly” vibe that makes him great for casual companionship, but potentially overwhelming for a long-term partner due to his unwavering consistency.

I Know I’m Not Alone in This

In simple terms, many fans of the game Stardew Valley share my opinion that Sam, among the marriage candidates, isn’t as rich or complex as most other characters in the game. While this doesn’t imply that Sam is a poorly developed character, he simply lacks the emotional depth and developmental growth displayed by the majority of non-player characters (NPCs) in Stardew Valley. What I look for in romantic relationships within the game, or even friendships, is a good measure of complexity and subtlety, which unfortunately isn’t a feature of Sam’s character.

Even though some Stardew Valley players might argue that Sam makes an ideal spouse in the game, he doesn’t really appeal to me. I do enjoy having him around as a friend, and his positive attitude can help lighten up the mood during tough times with other characters. But when it comes to choosing a partner for my character, Penny or Abigail are my preferred choices.

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2025-09-09 17:42