Stardew Valley takes gamers away from the city to build a life on a farm, and with 12 candidates to pick from, romance is a big part of the adventure.

Building a life far away from the city in Stardew Valley comes with many different adventures. From renovating a run-down farm passed to the player from their grandfather to helping to restore the community center, fans are never short for work to do. However, amidst all the sweat and dirt that comes with farming life, Stardew Valley offers a vibrant dating scene for players to explore. With 12 available bachelors and bachelorettes, picking a partner to go steady with isn't easy.

Something that Stardew Valley offers that was uncommon in farming simulators at the time of the game's release is the ability to have LGBTQA+ relationships. Players can romance any available NPC, regardless of their own character's gender identity and dating preferences. This means that all 12 Stardew Valley candidates are available no matter the situation, giving players plenty of options to choose from. This inclusion helped paved the way for other farming simulations like Story of Seasons to include more diverse content, and helped to reduce the stereotypes of gender roles and romances that were common in games released earlier in the genre's history.

Romanceable characters in Stardew Valley also have unique backstories the player can unravel, as they first become friends, then romantic partners, with their NPC of choice. These stories are refreshingly deep and often heart-wrenching, especially with characters like Shane, who battles alcoholism and depression, or Abigail, who may not be related to her perceived father. Stardew Valley's beloved story has brought a level of reality to its narrative, only deepening the rewards of building relationships with the town's diverse cast.

Stardew Valley Bachelorette: Abigail

Stardew Valley's Abigail is a fan-favorite for building a relationship. She is a drummer for Sam and Sebastian's band and a lively, spirited person. She often worries her mother with her antics, and enjoys exploring more than sitting in the house and being domestic. She is a fantastic romance option in Stardew Valley for anyone who wants adventure in their relationship.

Stardew Valley Bachelor: Sebastian

Stardew Valley's Sebastian is close friends with Sam. He is a night owl who often sleeps late, and plays Dungeons & Dragons as well as enjoying hanging out with Sam at the Stardrop Saloon. He has a bit of an emo aesthetic, but his romance turns out to be very bittersweet. He has struggles with his stepfather and his sister Maru, who he feels is favored by their parents, leading him to his more reclusive tendencies.

Stardew Valley Bachelor: Shane

Stardew Valley's Shane is a truly tragic character. He works at the Joja Mart, and from the start seems deeply depressed and uninterested in other people. Living with Marnie on her ranch, he goes through the motions every day.

By getting involved with Shane in Stardew Valley, the player watches as he hits rock bottom, and then slowly decides to rebuild his life for the better. He also has a deep love of chickens, and his relationship path is the only way to unlock blue hens.

Stardew Valley Bachelor: Harvey

Stardew Valley's Harvey is the town doctor. Besides seeing him when players pass out in the mines, he enjoys spending evening in the Stardrop Saloon. Harvey is sweet and shy, dedicated to providing the best care for the town. His romance is perfect for anyone wanting something simple and genuine, with little drama or heaviness. He is also excellent at awkward dialogue.

Stardew Valley Bachelorette: Emily

Stardew Valley's Emily is an energetic cook with a lively personality. She lives with her sister Haley and together they take care of their family home. Emily works for Gus at the Stardrop Saloon. She is also good friends with Sandy from the Calico Desert. Romancing Emily in Stardew Valley, much like with Harvey, is more relaxed and cute, with a softer story for the player to unravel.

Stardew Valley Bachelorette: Maru

Stardew Valley's Maru is Sebastian's half-sister. Like her father, she is very invested in science and can be a bit more stoic. She works at Harvey's Clinic, and is dedicated to making Stardew Valley a healthy place. Her relationship with her brother is strained, and she wishes that wasn't the case, making for some sadness in the way her family relationships.

Stardew Valley Bachelorette: Leah

Stardew Valley's Leah is an affectionate and sweet tempered artist. She lives in a small cabin just below Marnie's ranch, and is friends with Elliot. She has come to the town to live in a place away from the city to help with her creativity as she sculpts and paints.

Much like Elliot, Leah's story in Stardew Valley is more removed from the inner workings of the town, and is charming and romantic.

Stardew Valley Bachelor: Sam

Stardew Valley's Sam lives with his mother Jodi and his little brother Vincent. His father Kent is away in the military the first year of the game, and when he returns seems distant. Sam is best friends with Sebastian and has a lazy and laid-back personality. He takes his responsibility as Vincent's older brother seriously, however, feeling that he must watch out for him while their father is away.

Stardew Valley Bachelor: Alex

Stardew Valley's Alex is the town jock, but investigation into his character reveals a tragic backstory. He lives with his grandparents and hates his father, an abusive alcoholic. His mother passed away some time before, leaving him to grow up feeling the strain of coming from a broken home. His romance in Stardew Valley is heart-wrenching, as he discovers the joys of having a kind and loving relationship with the player.

Stardew Valley Bachelor: Elliot

Stardew Valley's Elliot is a writer who lives on the beach. He has come to town, much like Leah, in hopes of isolating himself from distraction as he works dedicatedly on a novel the player can help him with. Elliot is spacey and kind, with a tendency for dramatic conversation. He is also more removed from the town, giving a unique Stardew Valley story for anyone wanting something more like a romance novel.

Stardew Valley Bachelorette: Penny

Stardew Valley's Penny is the local school teacher. She spends most of her days with Vincent and Jas, taking them around the town or working with them in the library. She is quiet and shy, tending to keep mostly to herself.

In Stardew Valley, Penny also lives with Pam, the bus driver, in a tiny trailer that the player can eventually renovate into a proper house. Penny adores reading and spends most of her time off looking around in the library section of Stardew Valley's museum.

Stardew Valley Bachelorette: Haley

Stardew Valley's Haley is a difficult romance as far as options go. She seems stuck up and snobbish, and even well into romancing her, she can be somewhat mean to the player. However, she does have hidden depths, loving photography and enjoying working in her hidden dark room. Haley is friends with Alex, and can be a challenging to get into a relationship with.

No matter what direction the player might choose for romance in Stardew Valley, the stories with each character are excellent and deep. With storytelling that fleshes out each NPC, it encourages players to start a new Stardew Valley save and explore each romance and all it has to offer. While some characters might have heavier backstories than others, this observance of reality makes Stardew Valley unique. It is not shying away from the difficulties of real life, and allows players to see these struggles of imperfect characters. Because of this, every relationship built feels real and solid, making each playthrough intimate and emotional.

Next: Everything Stardew Valley Does Better Than Animal Crossing