Getting to know the villagers in Stardew Valley is a core part of the game. When they inherit their grandfather's farm and move to Pelican Town, the player is a stranger in a small community, and will feel like an outsider at first. But most of the villagers are welcoming, helping the new farmer feel like they belong.
Some of the residents, though, aren't easy to get along with. A few reveal less-than-savory aspects of their personalities as players get to know them. Others can be downright rude, putting players off from trying to befriend them — though their attitudes may change if the player shows them kindness. Not everyone in Stardew Valley is instantly likable, but that's part of what gives the game its character and makes Pelican Town feel alive.
Stardew Valley 1.7 Update Wish List
With the 1.7 Update for Stardew Valley approaching, this wish list compiles some of the most requested improvements from fans.
Pam
Rough Around The Edges
Pam isn't exactly a hated character, but it can be hard to like her at first. She's a bit gruff and defensive, complaining about her circumstances and getting angry when the player helps Penny clean the house. She racks up a tab at the saloon without paying, and leaves the bulk of the housework and bills to her daughter.
Still, if players talk to Pam, they'll realize how much she really does care about Penny. Life hasn't dealt her the best hand, and it weighs on her sometimes. Pam may not be the most approachable or friendly person in Pelican Town, but her heart is usually in the right place.
Alex
An Arrogant Front
Alex comes across as a bit of a braggart when players first meet him. He seems very full of himself, arrogant about his athletic talents and perhaps a bit overblown. He also makes some lightly sexist comments if the player is female, asking them to hang out in a bikini and saying he wouldn't play catch with a girl.
Alex's overconfidence, though, is his way of compensating for the rough life he's had so far. If the player gets to know him, he'll open up about the death of his mother and his cruel father. Alex tries to believe in himself hard, and it comes across as arrogance. This might turn some players off at first, but he has some hidden depths.
Shane
Doesn't Want Friends... But Needs One
Shane is the only villager who's openly hostile towards the player when they first arrive in Pelican Town. He responds to attempts at conversation by telling the player to go away and leave him alone. If they persist, he'll even demand to know why they keep trying to be his friend, since he's been nothing but rude.
All Stardew Valley Bachelors, Ranked
There are a handful of eligible bachelors to choose from in Stardew Valley. Here's a look at the group, ranked!
If players do keep trying to get through to Shane, they'll find that he's pushing people away because of his struggles with depression and addiction. Thankfully, if they look past his initial coldness and develop a bond with him, the farmer can help Shane overcome his issues and become a kinder, happier person.
Haley
Shallow and Superficial (At First)
When the farmer first meets Haley, it's easy to dislike her. She's a master of backhanded compliments, subtly dissing the player character's wardrobe and appearance. She calls her sister "weird" and complains about helping around the house, coming across as lazy and entitled.
The more the player gets to know her, though, the more Haley opens up. She starts to think about others more, becoming less self-centered, and she branches out to explore wider interests. But for many gamers, especially first-time players, getting past her shell can be hard.
George
The Quintessential Grumpy Old Man
Much like Haley, George doesn't do much to endear himself to players when they first meet him. He's a cantankerous old man who spurns most attempts at kindness, mostly barking at people to leave him alone. He's frustrated with his age and his disability, and takes it out on the people around him. At low friendship levels, he also expresses outdated views if the player is in a same-sex relationship, calling it "unnatural."
However, George's attitude changes a great deal if players take the time to build a friendship with him. If the farmer shows they care, George will soften towards them, showing some vulnerability. Even his homophobic views shift, saying he's changed his mind since the player is such a nice young person. Still, it can be hard to get to this point with George, since players have to keep taking the high road with someone who's unkind to them.
Lewis
A Surprisingly Ineffective Mayor
Lewis is sort of the opposite of most people on this list so far: when players first meet him, he seems like an amiable, kindly man. But the more they play and learn about the mayor of Pelican Town, the more they realize he's not as great a guy as he might seem. He claims to Marnie that revealing their relationship would undermine his position — but would having a romantic partner really cause the town to lose respect for him? Or is he just unwilling to commit?
Stardew Valley: Things You Have To Do Your First Year
Stardew Valley is an awesome game that runs in a seasonal format - here's what players should do in their first year.
Lewis states that he's been mayor of Pelican Town for over twenty years — but in that time, he doesn't seem to have done much. The community center is still in ruins, the bus hasn't been fixed, and the town's economy is flagging. If it's up to the player to fix all of Pelican Town's issues, it begs the question: what has Mayor Lewis been doing all this time?
Pierre
Profit Over Personal Life
Owning a small business isn't easy, and it takes a lot of dedication. But Pierre sometimes takes it to the extreme, prioritizing the profit of his store to the exclusion of all else. Money is his number-one priority, as he often makes clear in casual dialogues. He even spends holidays working, despite Caroline wishing he would spend the time with his family.
In a few cutscenes, Pierre betrays some outdated views on how he thinks his daughter Abigail should behave. He also has a "secret stash" that he's hiding from his wife — and although its exact contents are never specified, it's clearly something that would upset Caroline if she knew. In general, Pierre seems to prioritize himself and his ambitions over the people in his life, making him come across as selfish and even greedy.
Morris
The Evil Corporation Incarnate
As the face of JojaMart in Stardew Valley, there aren't many redeeming qualities about Morris. He's the embodiment of corporate greed, and the very company that the player came to Pelican Town to escape. He tries to undermine Pierre, a small business owner and his only competitor in town. And the villagers working at the JojaMart he manages often express unhappiness with their jobs.
Finally, when the player restores the community center, Morris interrupts the ceremony. Even seeing the overjoyed townsfolk, all he can do is lament that his customers are gone and scheme to get them back. For many players, it feels like righteous comeuppance when JojaMart goes out of business.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- February 26, 2016
- ESRB
- E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
