Summary
- NPCs in Stardew Valley provide humorous and quirky dialogue, adding depth to the characters and making interactions entertaining.
- The game features festivals where villagers share amusing anecdotes, giving players a deeper insight into the town's culture and residents.
- Favorite Thing choices made at the start of the game come back when consuming a Stardrop, resulting in unexpected and funny moments for players.
Gamers the world over have fallen in love with Stardew Valley for its wholesome vibes, low-stakes action, and creative world building. Whether focusing on building the perfect farm or simply planting enough crops to get by while exploring the rest of creator ConcernedApe's unusual world, there's plenty to keep players coming back time and again to start another homestead.
Stardew Valley: The Best Food Recipes
Cooking is essential in Stardew Valley, but of the recipes available, some are more useful than others.
One of the funniest quirks of the game is its unusual NPC dialogue, which is available whenever the player runs into a character around town and chooses to interact. Affected by the time of year, friendship level with the player, and other factors like marital status, some wacky stuff comes out when the residents of Stardew Valley open their mouths.
There are no spoilers for the 1.6 update in this article.
10 “It's Okay To Get A Moderate Amount Of Sunlight. Just Don't Get Burnt. Okay. Take Care! Stay Healthy.”
Awkward Health Concerns
Town doctor Harvey's dialogue can feel a little more limited than some of the other NPCs, as he's an unapologetically nerdy character focused on his job. Much of his seasonal speech options are focused on the chances of catching various coughs and colds, and this line is a summer favorite.
Part of what makes it funny for players is that it's quite charming… in a stilted way. It's easy to picture Harvey tripping over his words as he awkwardly attempts to say goodbye to the Farmer three separate ways, making him the opposite of the other older male marriage candidate, the flamboyant and wordy Elliott.
9 “I'll Tell You A Secret. Sometimes, When The Store Is Empty, I'll Practice My Opera Singing Behind The Counter. Don't Tell Anyone.”
Secret Shop Singing
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One of the things that bonds the Stardew Valley community together is their mixed (but affectionate) attitude towards shop owner Pierre. His dialogue, and comments from other characters, hint that he's charging way too much money for the Farmer's hard-earned produce… and complaining about its quality to boot.
Which all makes it extra entertaining when his business-focused mask slips, and he decides to alert the player to his secret passion for opera singing. If social media ever becomes a thing in the Stardew universe, he'll almost certainly go viral when daughter Abigail posts a clip.
8 "Well, I'd Better Go. George Gets Grumpy If He Doesn't Have His Oatmeal On Time..."
Grandma's Grumpy Games
Friendly grandmother Evelyn gives Stardew Valley a sweet edge when the Farmer first arrives, as she's one of the most welcoming townsfolk. Busy taking care of her wheelchair-user husband, George, the pair play off each other cutely as his curmudgeonly nature contrasts with her sunny attitude.
Stardew Valley Friendship Guide: Evelyn
Evelyn, also known as "Granny" in Pelican Town, is a sweet old lady and a great friend to have in Stardew Valley.
Evelyn's funniest dialogue gives the player the feeling of a long, enduring relationship, which is probably even more affectionate when the pair are alone. She rolls her eyes at her husband's grumpy tendencies, while always maintaining a positive outlook on life.
7 "Maybe If I Read A Book I'd Be Less Bored… Nah."
Balls Over Books
Gridball-obssessed himbo Alex is one of the most layered characters in the Stardew universe, as he goes from a sports-focused jock to revealing that he's trying to put on a brave face following the death of his parents.
This book-based bit of dialogue comes from the early days in-game, long before he opens up as the player's relationship with him grows. One of the reasons behind the game's enduring popularity is that characters who seem surface level and vapid at the start soon show their hidden depths, and Alex is a great example of that transformation… even if he never gains a love of reading.
6 “Sometimes I'll Hide An Egg Too Well And No One Finds It... Well, Until Summer Rolls Around. Then The Hot Air Starts To Bring Out The Rotten Smell... Hehe.”
Last One In Is A Rotten...
One occasion where gamers get a break from regular NPC dialogue is during Stardew's yearly festivals, where it's worth taking the time to talk to all the villagers and see what they have to say. Whether slurping down food or bemoaning their losses at seasonal games, it's a fun way to integrate deeper into the town's culture.
A particularly cheeky line comes from fisherman Willy during the Spring Egg Festival, where he confesses that sometimes his hiding skills are just too good. It's an early insight into the rather reserved character caring more about his hometown than he might first appear to, and hints at his playful nature down the line.
5 “Hmm. I Just Remembered That I Was Supposed To Do Something... But I Forgot. This Happens To Me All The Time.”
Missing Mission Memories
A real testament to ConcernedApe's ability to build relatable characters who also deliver on laughs is Sam, the ADHD-flavored guitarist who lives in Stardew Valley with his family. His dialogue options frequently reference being hungry, forgetting something important, or being too busy following whatever has grabbed his attention at the time to talk.
Like many other villagers, Sam slowly reveals more of himself to the player as he discusses his dreams of music stardom. His relationship with his father Kent, who returns from war during the second in-game year, can also be a complex one, making players appreciate the ditzy, lighter moments of Sam's conversations.
4 "I've Had This Recurring Nightmare That You Gave Me A Buzz Cut... You Wouldn't Ever Do That To Me, Would You?"
Dream Dread Doubts
As one of Stardew Valley's most popular marriage candidates, and overwhelmingly loved by most players, it's rare to find a player who hasn't tied the knot with Elliott during at least one run-through. The foppish poet boasts some of the game's silliest lines of dialogue, and that's without factoring in his live novel reading.
Upon marrying the beach-dweller and moving him into the farm, the player will regularly be asked for reassurance that his precious, flowing locks aren't headed for the chop. Given that Elliott has a benign spouse room and stays out of the Farmer's way on a weekly basis, he can be safe in the knowledge that his ears will stay warm.
3 "Hey, How'd You Know I Was Hungry? This Looks Delicious!"
Strongest Teeth In The Valley
Purple-haired Abigail's strange response to being presented with rocks and gemstones is one of the most-memed moments in the Stardew fandom. Anyone who frequents dedicated social media will often see pictures of real-life gems being posted with this caption.
Stardew Valley: Why Players Should Consider Marrying Abigail
Abigail is one of Stardew Valley's most interesting characters as she has one of the game's biggest mysteries surrounding her.
Another layer to the funny preference for chowing down on the inedible is the fact that it hints at Abigail's possibly mystical origins. Pieces of dialogue from many characters (along with her unusual hair) hint to the fact she may secretly be the Wizard's daughter, and so might be tuning into gem vibrations in a magical way…
2 "You!!! Was That Some Kind Of Sick Prank?! Those Are Very Private!"
Purple Shorts Prank
Town Mayor Lewis initially comes across as a fairly serious character, offering the player their first introduction to the new farm and assigning their first quests. However, this mask quickly starts to slip as the implication of his secret affair with Marnie is revealed… with his polka-dot shorts turning up in her bedroom for what are probably innocent reasons.
While the aim of the quest is to return them to Lewis in a hush-hush fashion, a funny Easter Egg pops up when the player chooses instead to include them in their annual grange display. The Mayor's furious reaction is very amusing, and reminds players to be on the lookout for other hidden gems.
1 "You Have Found A Stardrop! Your Mind Is Filled With Thoughts Of…"
Succulent Stardrop Sensation
Upon opening a new game of Stardew Valley, players are asked to fill in a 'favorite thing' box as part of the character creation screen. Many don't think about this too hard, put in whatever funny or irreverent answer comes to mind, and then simply forget about it as the game begins. That is, until they come across their first Stardrop.
Consuming the magical fruit makes the Farmer think of their favorite thing… which they've likely recently specified is something like 'poop,' 'cash,' or worse. These moments are a real bright spot in the game, as they remind players that, no matter how frustrating the Skull Cavern is, it's also easy to set off a bomb on a meticulously planted field, or that if they keep missing a key item for the Community Center… soon enough, their mind will be filled with thoughts of poop once more.
Stardew Valley
- Released
- February 26, 2016
