squizzybug
Greenhorn
i think shane has the best character development by far. it was nice to see him grow and progress. i am married to him currently on my year 3 farm and he helps out a ton!
Marriage Candidates
- Thread starter FlyingCatPhillips
- Start date
Rowan Ravenwood
Sodbuster
Haley and Elliott!
Haley: I'm a sucker for her character development, she's just such a sweetheart, and so pretty!
Elliott: Well, what can I say? I really have no defense for being a hopeless romantic and swooning over his poetic dialogue, and who can resist someone in a tailcoat? I also quite enjoy the slightly unhinged side to him, keeping crabs in his pockets and all that. He's definitely my favourite character overall, and by far my favourite of the marriage candidates.
Haley: I'm a sucker for her character development, she's just such a sweetheart, and so pretty!
Elliott: Well, what can I say? I really have no defense for being a hopeless romantic and swooning over his poetic dialogue, and who can resist someone in a tailcoat? I also quite enjoy the slightly unhinged side to him, keeping crabs in his pockets and all that. He's definitely my favourite character overall, and by far my favourite of the marriage candidates.
Giant Octopodes
Farmer
Regarding the age thing:
It’s clear that the valley is a magical place where folks don’t age. Play 30 years in game, your prospective spouse will look exactly the same (I’m jealous btw). As such what evidence do we have they didn’t look exactly the same 20 years ago? Or 40, or more? Sure Abigail and Sebastian never moved out, but it’s not like there’s an empty house for them to move into. Nor is Robin rushing to build one, again, wait 30 years and new residential construction will never occur.
So I wouldn’t worry about the fact that they look young. Jas and Vincent are stuck as kids forever, just like any kids you have in game. Who knows how long they’ve been that way, and how long the “young adults” have been sick that way. Could’ve been quite a while.
It’s clear that the valley is a magical place where folks don’t age. Play 30 years in game, your prospective spouse will look exactly the same (I’m jealous btw). As such what evidence do we have they didn’t look exactly the same 20 years ago? Or 40, or more? Sure Abigail and Sebastian never moved out, but it’s not like there’s an empty house for them to move into. Nor is Robin rushing to build one, again, wait 30 years and new residential construction will never occur.
So I wouldn’t worry about the fact that they look young. Jas and Vincent are stuck as kids forever, just like any kids you have in game. Who knows how long they’ve been that way, and how long the “young adults” have been sick that way. Could’ve been quite a while.
Dragonheardt
Planter
Probably not surprising because of my avatar but, no matter what I do or who I set out to romance on a new game, I always go back to Abigail. I can't not choose her. Just my personality type. But later I learned she is one of the most fleshed out characters insofar as how many dialogue lines she has vs other NPCs.Whose your favorite marriage candidate and why?
I found that I don't know much about the marriage candidates, except what I don't like about all of them. Seriously, if they have bad equalities I sniff them out..... I know they have good qualities too and got curious as to what other people think about them. Mind you I only play Vanilla SDV any character's from mods even SDVE I will not know....
So far I find Shane the most relatable and easiest for me to understand. I feel like that's a bad thing though
Ellajoy
Rancher
The jokes my dad could give you...Oh, trust me, you don't have to be a kid to do that(Although I don't do skateboard. Jokes, on the other hand...)
PoppyForPenny
Farmer
Stardew Valley is oddly ageless and time only circles, never advancing. Celebrating birthdays but never getting older. Even animals grow up but never grow old. And the day you arrive is the only day between winter and spring, like time had to slip open to let you in. They are old, all of them!
Penny was my first wife and I loved the connection to the community. The bus and building the house were so meaningful. But my favorite spouse was when I made a male character marry Alex. He was a sweetie, a darling, a hunk, and a real squeeze! Plus I loved the change his 14 heart event made in the community, especially for grandpa.
I always suggest considering a few practical things when choosing a spouse. Their spouse rooom- Leah's flooring doesn't match anything in the catalog which bugged me, Shane's is super messy, Penny's is a gorgeous library with cute floor cushions. Gifts- their loves/likes for wooing and maintaining your hearts, as well as what they give. Abigail gives bombs! Shane & Emily continue to mail you gifts as well! Heart events- some spouses give special items or make changes in the game world that might appeal to you, Sam's boombox, Penny's decor, Abigail's shrine, etc.
From practical standpoint Emily may be the best spouse, if only for the boots.
Tinks
Planter
I like Penny but because she reminds me of my mum due to her love of the children in the game. I'm planning to start a game where my character is a younger version of my dad (in a parallel universe with a different name) and he falls in love with Penny and marries her.
For my own game as 'me' (female) I'm going down a different path which I haven't fully decided yet! I'm getting on well with Linus, might take him some beer and pizza later! ...but haven't really tried to befriend any of the others yet. I don't think many of the males are good marrige candidates but I don't know who changes or may improve after marriage? Ideally they'd also love animals and want to help out on the farm! - think I read one of them comes with their own chickens (after marriage) but can't remember who it said now! I may just stay single and live with the Inkyblob thing in this game!
For my own game as 'me' (female) I'm going down a different path which I haven't fully decided yet! I'm getting on well with Linus, might take him some beer and pizza later! ...but haven't really tried to befriend any of the others yet. I don't think many of the males are good marrige candidates but I don't know who changes or may improve after marriage? Ideally they'd also love animals and want to help out on the farm! - think I read one of them comes with their own chickens (after marriage) but can't remember who it said now! I may just stay single and live with the Inkyblob thing in this game!
FairyRing
Farmer
I enjoy Abby's take on life. Music, Adventuring, she's into spooky creepy things. She is also pretty upbeat for the most part, She teases and can be awkward. I like that. She gives good gifts and she still does her own things even after married. 
I've married Leah and it was good. I like her heart events. She is sweet but kinda absent. He gifts are okay.
I've grown to like Maru in this play through too, she is eager to get to know me from the start and that is kinda nice. She has a funny streak.
I also relate to Shane, but I feel like we would be best friends more than anything else.
I don't relate to Haley at all but it's neat to know her story arc is good and it intrigues me to get to know her better.
I wish I could woo Robin she cracks me up.
I've married Leah and it was good. I like her heart events. She is sweet but kinda absent. He gifts are okay.
I've grown to like Maru in this play through too, she is eager to get to know me from the start and that is kinda nice. She has a funny streak.
I also relate to Shane, but I feel like we would be best friends more than anything else.
I don't relate to Haley at all but it's neat to know her story arc is good and it intrigues me to get to know her better.
I wish I could woo Robin she cracks me up.
FairyRing
Farmer
Yes Krobus (Inkyblob) I want to do a play through with them as my domestic partnerI like Penny but because she reminds me of my mum due to her love of the children in the game. I'm planning to start a game where my character is a younger version of my dad (in a parallel universe with a different name) and he falls in love with Penny and marries her.
For my own game as 'me' (female) I'm going down a different path which I haven't fully decided yet! I'm getting on well with Linus, might take him some beer and pizza later! ...but haven't really tried to befriend any of the others yet. I don't think many of the males are good marrige candidates but I don't know who changes or may improve after marriage? Ideally they'd also love animals and want to help out on the farm! - think I read one of them comes with their own chickens (after marriage) but can't remember who it said now! I may just stay single and live with the Inkyblob thing in this game!
FairyRing
Farmer
love this post!I love how new facets always come out in further discussions, like the "underdog" characters and facets of how much some character arcs change at they become friended. There's never a shortage of new perspectives on things noticed or brought up, and it is pretty fascinating. Reading the different threads as a continuance adds to that fascination for me.
I suppose it is most natural for players to play as themselves, but I honestly never really thought about it. For me, I took to heart the age the game set me as, and I still picture myself as that rather than my own age (which is still somewhat young, but not the twenties young that I think the game set me as). I suppose I approached it a bit like joining into a play with an established cast playing specific roles. I liked diving into that initial role, and expanding on it from there to 'fill in' my background. It still doesn't occur to me to play as my own age (and especially with early health limitations), because if I did I wouldn't be running around chopping trees all day or toiling away in the mines for sparklies lol. I enjoy that I can be 20 again in the game, burn the midnight oil, zoom around like an energizer bunny on copious amounts of coffee, who can just down some cheese or whatever and be 110% again. It's like nothing could possible stop me! For me, imposing my (or the world's, or anyone else's) reality on it, that just steals my fun. I'm for freedom from reality, basically snorting Stardew espresso at 1am, and doing some serious giggling zoomies on my horse (cinnamon) until thoroughly passing out... because, why not? Viva la Stardew liberté!
Hmm, now I might have to marry Harvey and then Hayley or Shane after that.
FairyRing
Farmer
it's not bad you relate to Shane.Whose your favorite marriage candidate and why?
I found that I don't know much about the marriage candidates, except what I don't like about all of them. Seriously, if they have bad equalities I sniff them out..... I know they have good qualities too and got curious as to what other people think about them. Mind you I only play Vanilla SDV any character's from mods even SDVE I will not know....
So far I find Shane the most relatable and easiest for me to understand. I feel like that's a bad thing though
FairyRing
Farmer
I love when he finds the crab in his pocket! It's adorable.
Hazy
Farmhand
Sebastian is my favorite.
He reminds me of myself. I dress alternative. He dresses alternative, albeit different styles. I wear J-fashion and he dresses emo. He likes frogs. I like frogs. Sebastian likes gaming. I like gaming. Also, he's a night owl like me. I work overnights. We have a lot in common including a liking of sci-fi and fantasy stuff.
Other eligible bachelors I like include Sam and Harvey, who I have married on other files, but there's just something about Sebastian that will always put him on top. I can't resist talking to him if I see his sprite walking around town.
Out of the females, I like Leah, Abigail, and Penny the most. Maybe I prefer Abigail best out of the wife selection just because she's interesting, but it's hard to say as I really like Leah as well and Penny is pretty cute. It's a tough choice.
He reminds me of myself. I dress alternative. He dresses alternative, albeit different styles. I wear J-fashion and he dresses emo. He likes frogs. I like frogs. Sebastian likes gaming. I like gaming. Also, he's a night owl like me. I work overnights. We have a lot in common including a liking of sci-fi and fantasy stuff.
Other eligible bachelors I like include Sam and Harvey, who I have married on other files, but there's just something about Sebastian that will always put him on top. I can't resist talking to him if I see his sprite walking around town.
Out of the females, I like Leah, Abigail, and Penny the most. Maybe I prefer Abigail best out of the wife selection just because she's interesting, but it's hard to say as I really like Leah as well and Penny is pretty cute. It's a tough choice.
MissDandy
Farmer
I know for a fact that we've had the conversation on the forum before about whether or not you marry the same person in pretty much each playthrough, which kind of relates. It's kind of like whatever partner you choose, you chose them because they make you comfortable, and that's probably why it's so tempting to marry the same again in the next game for some. Elliott is my personal favourite.
junimo jelly
Tiller
I currently started a new save where I'll be romancing Sebastian because he reminds me of my boyfriend in real life. 
Before this, I thought he was a bit too detached for my taste, but now the similarities between him and my boyfriend have me fond of him. My boyfriend works the graveyard shift, has nerdy interests, and likes hanging out with friends but not making new ones -- just like Seb.
My first playthrough I married Emily.. I'm kind of shocked she doesn't appear more in this thread. She has a happy and playful energy and it's refreshing to see a character so lighthearted. She has a young energetic spunk to her, while also being mature and taking her job seriously and trying to help her sister. I love that she takes in a bird and makes clothes. She's my favorite!! I have hundreds of hours with her on my first farm.
I also want to marry Elliott, Penny, and Leah. I like their personalities and hobbies and want to see how they act in a domestic setting.
Before this, I thought he was a bit too detached for my taste, but now the similarities between him and my boyfriend have me fond of him. My boyfriend works the graveyard shift, has nerdy interests, and likes hanging out with friends but not making new ones -- just like Seb.My first playthrough I married Emily.. I'm kind of shocked she doesn't appear more in this thread. She has a happy and playful energy and it's refreshing to see a character so lighthearted. She has a young energetic spunk to her, while also being mature and taking her job seriously and trying to help her sister. I love that she takes in a bird and makes clothes. She's my favorite!! I have hundreds of hours with her on my first farm.
I also want to marry Elliott, Penny, and Leah. I like their personalities and hobbies and want to see how they act in a domestic setting.
Tinks
Planter
Do the characters act differently if you go into it choosing a same sex relationship? ..just curious if any say they aren't comfortable with that or will they all be the same after proposing regardless of who you choose?
I have 2 games on the go...only just started both but already noticing a few subtle differences... Linus took to me straight away (as female character) and wasn't long before I saw his first heart cutscene, even Shane was polite(ish).
Playing as male (Kenny) Shane's reply is more anti-social every time won't just say hi... 'why you talking to me etc' Linus asked if I was going to throw rocks at his tent or something... (maybe the villager doing that is male???) but never said that to me as female character.
in Kenny's game I got heart with Leah almost instantly even though it was Penny I've been trying to strike a relationship up with taking her gifts or stopping to talk to her everyday. As a female Leah just says hi to me then moves off.
So just wondered if there's pre-settings to who the NPC's will prefer? ...eg does Leah level up quicker if your character is male and blond? but harder to make friends with if your character is female??? etc
I have 2 games on the go...only just started both but already noticing a few subtle differences... Linus took to me straight away (as female character) and wasn't long before I saw his first heart cutscene, even Shane was polite(ish).
Playing as male (Kenny) Shane's reply is more anti-social every time won't just say hi... 'why you talking to me etc' Linus asked if I was going to throw rocks at his tent or something... (maybe the villager doing that is male???) but never said that to me as female character.
in Kenny's game I got heart with Leah almost instantly even though it was Penny I've been trying to strike a relationship up with taking her gifts or stopping to talk to her everyday. As a female Leah just says hi to me then moves off.
So just wondered if there's pre-settings to who the NPC's will prefer? ...eg does Leah level up quicker if your character is male and blond? but harder to make friends with if your character is female??? etc
Ereo
Helper
No, the characters dialogue is solely dependant on heart level. You were just lucky to get nicer dialogue options for the female character.
When you ask them to date you some will say stuff like "I didn't think I could feel that way about another girl".
George has a different reaction to you dating Alex, depending on your gender and also the heart level you have with him.
When you ask them to date you some will say stuff like "I didn't think I could feel that way about another girl".
George has a different reaction to you dating Alex, depending on your gender and also the heart level you have with him.
Tinks
Planter
I'm glad I'm not the only older one here I joined to ask a question I couldn't find online but thought forum may all be really young 'adult' people or kids, what's your definition of 'senior'? ...cos some young'uns think over 30 is like 'really old'...lol!
Ellajoy
Rancher
'Senior'? At least 85.
'ancient' At least 100.