One of the things I love most about Stardew Valley is how easy it is to get attached to its characters, even the ones who don’t have particularly large roles. There are plenty of villagers with detailed backstories and satisfying heart events, but others have barely had a chance to tell their stories. With Update 1.7 on the way, I’d love to see some of the more overlooked characters get a little attention.
Stardew Valley has done this before, with Caroline’s tea-related heart event giving players a look at her private sunroom and a new way to grow tea. It’s a relatively small addition, but it’s the sort of thing that makes a character feel more interesting. There are still quite a few residents I’d like to know better, whether that means more dialogue, new heart events, or even an entire questline.
Marlon
The Adventurers’ Guild Leader Has Some Explaining to Do
Considering how much time players spend in the mines, it’s a little strange that Marlon remains such a mystery. He runs the Adventurers’ Guild, sells weapons, and occasionally shows up during important events, but there’s very little opportunity to get to know him.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
I’m particularly curious about his past as an adventurer and his relationship with Gil. Then there’s his apparent crush on Marnie, which I’d love to see explored. Making Marlon a proper friendship candidate feels like an obvious addition to Update 1.7, especially when he’s been part of the game since the beginning.
Willy
I Want to Hear More of Willy’s Fishing Stories
I’m a sucker for a fisherman, which is unfortunate because I absolutely hate fishing in Stardew Valley. Still, I’ve always had a soft spot for Willy. He’s friendly, clearly loves what he does, and seems perfectly content spending most of his time by the water.
Willy has already received some attention through the addition of Ginger Island, but I still feel like there’s more to learn about him. I’d love to hear about his life before Pelican Town, the places he’s visited, and how he ended up running the fish shop. He strikes me as someone with plenty of stories to tell, and I’d happily listen to every one of them. Even if he made me catch a few fish first.
Demetrius
There’s Surely More to Him Than Tomatoes
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Image via ConcernedApe -
Poor Demetrius has a bit of a reputation among Stardew Valley fans, and it’s not entirely undeserved. His tomato argument with Robin makes him seem unnecessarily pedantic, while his behavior during Maru’s two-heart event is enough to put plenty of players off him.
I can’t help feeling there’s more to Demetrius than these awkward encounters, though. He’s passionate about science and seems genuinely invested in his research, but we rarely get to see him outside that context. I’d particularly like more insight into his relationship with Sebastian, which feels underdeveloped compared to his relationship with Maru. Maybe additional heart events would reveal a softer side to him. Or maybe they’d confirm that he’s every bit as difficult as he seems. I’m interested either way.
The Witch
Please, Just Let Me Meet Her
The Witch is barely a character at this point, and I find that frustrating. She’s one of the most mysterious figures in Stardew Valley, occasionally flies over the farm to cause trouble, and has an entire swamp and hut associated with her. Yet we still can’t have a proper conversation with her.
We know she has history with the Wizard, who describes her as his ex-wife, but I’d love to hear her side of that story. There’s so much potential for more of a questline exploring their relationship and the magic surrounding her home. She doesn’t even have to be particularly nice. In fact, I think I’d be disappointed if she turned out to be completely harmless. I just want to meet her properly.
The Dwarf
Give the Dwarf the Krobus Treatment
I think the Dwarf deserves the same treatment as Krobus. Both characters are a little unusual compared to Pelican Town’s human residents, but Krobus gets to become the player’s roommate, while the Dwarf spends most of their time standing behind a counter in the mines.
There’s already some interesting history to explore, particularly the conflict between the dwarves and the shadow people. I’d love some additional events that expand on that backstory or help the Dwarf become a little more comfortable around the player. A roommate option would be especially fun, although I’m not sure what sharing a farmhouse with the Dwarf would actually look like.
Gus
Pelican Town’s Kindest Resident Deserves a Story of His Own
I adore Gus. He’s one of the friendliest people in Pelican Town, and some of his best moments come from the way he treats other characters. His generosity toward Linus is particularly sweet, and his willingness to help Pam despite her unpaid tab says a lot about him. Plus, he loves oranges. And I love oranges.
What I really want is to know more about his past. We spend so much time in the Stardrop Saloon, yet we know surprisingly little about the man running it. I’d love to hear how Gus got into cooking, whether he’s always lived in the valley, and what made him decide to open the saloon. He’s already such a lovely character, and giving him a little more history would make those evenings at the bar even better.
Jodi
There’s More to Jodi Than Being a Wife and Mother
I feel quite sorry for Jodi sometimes. Between raising Sam and Vincent, keeping the house running, and dealing with Kent’s return from war, she has an awful lot to worry about. Most of what we learn about her revolves around her family, and I’d really like to see her get something that’s entirely her own.
Jodi has dialogue about missing the freedom she had when she was younger, which makes me wonder what she’d be doing if she had more time for herself. I’d love a heart event where she rediscovers an old hobby or starts pursuing something she’s always wanted to try. She clearly loves her family, but there’s no reason her entire personality has to revolve around looking after them.
Birdie
Ginger Island’s Fisherwoman Has So Much More to Tell Us
Birdie is another fisherman, or fisherwoman, so I was probably destined to like her. Unlike Willy, though, we barely get to know her at all. Her “The Pirate’s Wife” quest tells us about her late husband and the keepsake she wants to recover, but there’s very little about Birdie herself.
I find it especially disappointing that there’s not much reason to interact with her once the quest is complete. She’s living alone on Ginger Island, and I’d love to know how she spends her days and what her life was like before her husband’s death. More dialogue would be a good start, but I’d particularly enjoy another quest that gives her a chance to talk about something other than her marriage. She seems like the sort of person who could have some fascinating stories.
- Released
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February 26, 2016
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
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ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
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ConcernedApe
