Despite coming out in 2016, Stardew Valley still has a huge amount of active players thanks to patches, updates, and the massive replayability of the game. The charming, idyllic setting of Stardew Valley, as well as some really strong gameplay mechanics, create a perfect storm of farming escapism that offers players a little break from the complexity of regular life.
One of the biggest draws of a game like Stardew Valley is the romance options. Like in most RPGs, the appeal of romance options is that they deepen the roleplaying element of the game, and getting to make such decisions can help players feel a sense of agency in the story. There are many bachelors and bachelorettes to chose from in Stardew Valley, but one character has proven to be quite divisive. Some fans love her and some fans hate her, and while pursuing her may not be the easiest path, marrying Haley reveals the full depth of the character lurking just below the shallowness.
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Regardless of who players chose to marry , all of the characters are worth getting to know and add wonderful color and depth to the peaceful Stardew Valley. The cast of characters ranges from the morally ambiguous to mysterious wizards to everyday, ordinary people. Some characters in Stardew Valley are outright likable, while others are more complex and have hidden depths, such as Shane or Haley. These characters only reveal who they truly are over time, making it a more rewarding and compelling romance option.
Haley is an especially good romance option because she's a Villager that many players would be tempted to write off as shallow, rude, and stuck up based on first impressions. However, Stardew Valley takes place in a universe written with great care. The developers would of course understand how Haley first comes off; sure, some players will still choose to romance her, but by adding multiple layers to her personality, she becomes a more fully fleshed-out character and one that is actually rewarding to romance.
In particular, what the player comes to learn about Haley is that she has a passion for photography and has a much softer side, too. Haley is just out of high school and so much of her rudeness is likely leftover immaturity as she transitions into becoming an adult. Further, the player's relationship with Haley has a notable impact on her. Romancing Haley lets players see a much softer and caring side of the supposedly fickle and shallow character, which again makes this a rewarding romance option. Players get to have a positive influence on Haley if they choose.
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A potential deterrent to romancing Haley is that it is one of the most difficult Stardew Valley romance options to go after, but then again, most gamers have rarely been afraid of a challenge. Besides, once you can repair the bus, it becomes a lot easier. This is because, true to her apparent shallow exterior, Haley is very particular about what type of gifts she likes. As such, some of these items are tricky to come by. The beauty of a game like Stardew Valley is the replayability, though, and having some romance paths be more difficult than others is a great way to scale difficulty for an open-world game like this.
Even if she isn't the player's first choice, Haley is well worth romancing on a repeated playthrough to discover her hidden depths, and indeed to fully explore the hidden depths of the game itself. Consider too how Haley's negative traits are closely intertwined with stereotypical feminity. The idea that pursuits like fashion and beauty lack any artistic merit is overly simplistic, and this is the assumption Haley is built upon. The only way to get to know Haley beyond the seemingly self-absorbed facade is to gain her trust and slowly get to know her.
Then again, every romance option in a game like Stardew Valley adds something different to a playthrough, as all the characters in the game are well developed. Some are undoubtedly easier to romance than Haley is, such as Leah who accepts much more readily available gifts. However, the fun of roleplaying is choosing options that would not be picked in real life, especially in repeated playthroughs. Relationships, and people, are complicated in real life, and Haley represents this idea within the escapist fantasy of Stardew Valley; she also represents a challenge for those who want a taste of the full range of material contained in this game. Either way, the divisive fan reaction to Haley proves there are elements to this character that evoke strong reactions, meaning that she is absolutely worthy of exploring.
Stardew Valley is out now for PC, PS4, Xbox One, Mobile, and Switch.
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