Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone's Stardew Valley is widely inclusive, letting players pair their farmer up with any of the 12 marriage candidates in Pelican Town regardless of gender. There are even contingencies in place for players who try to woo all the bachelors and bachelorettes - though this usually ends badly given it spurns everyone at once. Most people will want to stick with one relationship at a time, and Sam is a more interesting bachelor to dive into.

Some romance options in Stardew Valley are darker, such as Shane dealing with alcoholism and depression; meanwhile others are more lighthearted, such as Maru working on a sentient robot. Sam's path flirts with both sides, as he's largely focused on his life ambitions while dealing with some family drama on the side. For any player who isn't just looking to marry someone who will sit around the farmhouse all day, Sam's story also has a great conclusion to build toward.

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Sam is a Skater Bro With More Under the Hood

meeting a blonde male villager.

When players first meet Sam in Stardew Valley, they may be underwhelmed by his carefree personality. He lives with his mother Joni and little brother Vincent, and seems to spend most of his time practicing guitar, skateboarding, and playing video games. Joni says neither of the brothers have had to do chores growing up, which suggests Sam could be priviledged and irresponsible.

However, that's not really the case. He works part-time at JojaMart if players have not shut down the shop, and his more outgoing personality leads him to form a band with Abigail and Sebastian. By going through his heart events, players can help Sam hone his skills, leading him to a career in music. It's also clear he isn't entirely carefree when having conversations about his father Kent, who spends the entire first in-game year fighting in a nebulous war.

Sam Likes and Dislikes are Simpler Than Most

player talking to sam 1.

Sam's outwardly casual personality is also reflected in the gifts players can use to win his heart. Outside of the "Universal Loves and Likes," items which every character in the game would be happy to receive, Sam only has five gifts that work particularly well: cactus fruit, maple bar donuts, pizza, the tigerseye mineral, and Joja Cola - which he undoubtedly drinks a lot given his employment at JojaMart. He's also a fan of eggs (except the mysterious void egg), but dislikes most foraging goods, mining goods, as well as mayonnaise and pickles.

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The character's love for pizza carries over to Stardew Valley's movie theater, where a personal pizza is one of his loved concession stand items alongside stardrop sorbet. Most movies are fine by him, though Sam loves "Wumbus" in particular and isn't a fan of "The Miracle At Coldstar Ranch" or "The Zuzu City Express."

Sam's Heart Events

sam's face, sam's band, and the player marrying sam.

The closer a player grows with any relationship candidate in Stardew Valley, the more heart events they unlock. Sam's heart events are split into two tracks, one focused on his music career and the other on his family relationships. The latter is shorter, with players meeting him and Vincent at the beach after reaching three hearts (only during Year 1) and learning Sam worries about promising Vincent their dad Kent will come home after hearing about military casualties. At four stars, players will have to cover for Sam after he accidentally makes a mess by dropping an egg in his home's kitchen.

As far as the music track is concerned, this begins at two hearts when players help Sam and Sebastian decide which of four music types they should focus on playing. The player later learns Abigail has joined their band, and after helping him get out of trouble for skateboarding at six hearts they get invited to one of Sam's shows at eight hearts. This takes place in the city, with lots of Pelican Town residents in attendance, and the music playing will reflect earlier choices. After that, Sam will confess his love at 10 hearts, though players will have to hide when Joni almost catches them in Sam's room after dark.

Once players are married to Sam, he'll build a half pipe in the back of the farmhouse but will express discontent at sitting around the house. He goes out to find some work and lands a job composing for a children's TV show, an accomplishment he shares with both the player and his family at home. Vincent and his friend Jas love the song, validating Sam's ambitions and hopefully making the player proud of their man.

Stardew Valley is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.

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