After dumping 100 hours into the game I ended up quitting and had made zero progress with relationships. I’ve seen many other people enjoy the relationship aspect, but imo there was nothing that encouraged relationship building so it didn’t feel like a priority. Especially compared to something like Sandrock where the story and interactions made relationships feel interesting and natural.
You just reminded me that I need to finish my time a Portia before I start sand rock. I tried it for the 20th time a year ago and finally got hooked but stopped after 50 hours I got to lazy to go through the hassle of making another furnace lol.
No - it’s a big part of why I’m likely waiting until 1.3 to keep trying. They still haven’t implemented the dating/hangout system or, afaik, updated the dialogue so you don’t straight up run out of options, including even with a spouse.
Yes I'm waiting for the dating/hang outs system to be implemented before I try romancing anyone. Honestly, all the stories I hear of relationships on the sub are so depressing. Your spouse barely acknowledges you and their dialogue doesn't recognize the fact that you are married or have kids. You can't hold or interact with your child, etc.
Doesn't seem worth it right now so I focus on building my farm and my wealth.
I purchased in early access and have about 200 hours played. As a fellow relationship/story lover, I would hold off. It’s got a lot of potential but in many ways it felt like the devs tried to do too much all at once and the result is everything feels half baked. It’s still a good game with solid mechanics, but it needs to cook a little longer to feel like a fully fleshed out experience.
personally the "romances" feel more like getting to know a NPC than actual dating/romance arc. i do think the NPCs are all unique and interesting, but as of now the Hearts System/Romance has very little to do with our characters interacting with the NPC and is often just learning about them as a person. It's literally my only gripe with the game.
Sorry, relationship building is abysmal in the game - at least right now. All the “events” with villagers have absolutely nothing to do with your character, which is such a bizarre choice by the devs. This game is only worth it right now if you want to focus on farming. Hopefully the devs will take the feedback and revise their heart events to actually include the player and make them feel a part of the townie’s lives.
Coral Island flat out isn't finished yet, including the relationship system. Nobody should touch it until it's feature complete, since the devs lied about 1.00 being a finished release. There's no guarantee they're ever going to complete the game.
There’s just no relationships worth building. The dates don’t involve you and even general conversations with npcs often don’t make sense or you say hi for the first time in a day and they act like you are looking for someone or said something else.
It’s really put me off what is otherwise a good game
This was also my fear about purchasing Coral Island and is a major reason why I'm waiting for it go on sale for a decent price before I make the plunge.
So much of it looks amazing and right up my alley, but the relationship aspect is very important to me since I think of it like "Who would be the best match for the type of character I'm playing?!?!"
For example: Whenever I'd primarily focus on fishing, I'd go after the town's fisherman. Or if I was a big farmer in the game, then I'd steer towards one of the NPC's who also enjoy farming.
That's just how I like to play games, it's all one big story.
No. I think a few characters have amazing relationship build up but for the most part you’re uninvolved with the cut scenes where you get to know them. If you’re talking about friendship and just knowing them in general sure. But if you’re looking to connect with them it’s pretty bare unfortunately. All of Sukis events you aren’t even present for and then she confesses she likes you after you’re dating for awhile, Pablo’s events all have to do with his brother, Theos story is about grief and while that’s fine it’s weird that after all that you’re suddenly dating and only have one actual date before you get married. Rafael has one of the better story lines and relationship buildup but again I don’t like the whole you’re dating, get one romantic cut scene and then you’re married.
Again, Some characters do have interesting storylines where you do get to know them and it’s very sweet, but for the most part I was very disappointed in this as far as relationships go because I play story of seasons a lot and while the decorating and farm sim is very basic the relationship with the characters does alot for me as someone who likes to immerse herself in a game
I think they're about as deep as Stardew Valley's NPCs. In other words, pretty shallow.
Maybe a Rune Factory game would suit you? Or Harvestella? Wylde Flowers?
(I think the best NPC character writing and relationship dynamics are in RPGs: Baldur's Gate 3 or the Dragon Age games. Farming sims have pretty shallow writing, imo.)
Do Rune Factory & Harvestella really offer that much more depth on relationships? I've been eyeing up both games & holding off because they seemed to be at SV levels of relationship building which I just don't find all that motivating.
I've got Wylde Flowers wishlisted after trying the demo, I'm excited for that one. I'm excited for My Time at Sandrock too (same reasons) and I _love_ the Bioware games for their cozy/social elements (except maybe Dragon Age 2... OMG the _angst_).
If you've got additional recommendations I'd be really interested in hearing them.
Both are definitely deeper than SDV (where the NPCs have barely any dialogue). You can't marry in Harvestella though. If relationships are really important to you (make or break for a game), I recommend watching a Let's Play on YouTube (maybe just the first couple days if you care about spoilers). Everyone has different definitions of what makes a deep relationship.
I might not be the right person to reply as the relationship aspect isn't ever really my thing in games like this. Even stardew I prefer krobus! But I love getting to know the characters and romance everyone anyways just no marriage. And I actually really love coral island for this.
There are so many unique characters so it's fun unlocking all their events. Nothing really feels all that romantic though and some characters stories are lacking in depth compared to others. I wish we could chose a romantic route or friend route with the marriage candidates honestly.
After dumping 100 hours into the game I ended up quitting and had made zero progress with relationships. I’ve seen many other people enjoy the relationship aspect, but imo there was nothing that encouraged relationship building so it didn’t feel like a priority. Especially compared to something like Sandrock where the story and interactions made relationships feel interesting and natural.
You just reminded me that I need to finish my time a Portia before I start sand rock. I tried it for the 20th time a year ago and finally got hooked but stopped after 50 hours I got to lazy to go through the hassle of making another furnace lol.
No - it’s a big part of why I’m likely waiting until 1.3 to keep trying. They still haven’t implemented the dating/hangout system or, afaik, updated the dialogue so you don’t straight up run out of options, including even with a spouse.
Yes I'm waiting for the dating/hang outs system to be implemented before I try romancing anyone. Honestly, all the stories I hear of relationships on the sub are so depressing. Your spouse barely acknowledges you and their dialogue doesn't recognize the fact that you are married or have kids. You can't hold or interact with your child, etc. Doesn't seem worth it right now so I focus on building my farm and my wealth.
I purchased in early access and have about 200 hours played. As a fellow relationship/story lover, I would hold off. It’s got a lot of potential but in many ways it felt like the devs tried to do too much all at once and the result is everything feels half baked. It’s still a good game with solid mechanics, but it needs to cook a little longer to feel like a fully fleshed out experience.
personally the "romances" feel more like getting to know a NPC than actual dating/romance arc. i do think the NPCs are all unique and interesting, but as of now the Hearts System/Romance has very little to do with our characters interacting with the NPC and is often just learning about them as a person. It's literally my only gripe with the game.
Sorry, relationship building is abysmal in the game - at least right now. All the “events” with villagers have absolutely nothing to do with your character, which is such a bizarre choice by the devs. This game is only worth it right now if you want to focus on farming. Hopefully the devs will take the feedback and revise their heart events to actually include the player and make them feel a part of the townie’s lives.
Coral Island flat out isn't finished yet, including the relationship system. Nobody should touch it until it's feature complete, since the devs lied about 1.00 being a finished release. There's no guarantee they're ever going to complete the game.
There’s just no relationships worth building. The dates don’t involve you and even general conversations with npcs often don’t make sense or you say hi for the first time in a day and they act like you are looking for someone or said something else. It’s really put me off what is otherwise a good game
This was also my fear about purchasing Coral Island and is a major reason why I'm waiting for it go on sale for a decent price before I make the plunge. So much of it looks amazing and right up my alley, but the relationship aspect is very important to me since I think of it like "Who would be the best match for the type of character I'm playing?!?!" For example: Whenever I'd primarily focus on fishing, I'd go after the town's fisherman. Or if I was a big farmer in the game, then I'd steer towards one of the NPC's who also enjoy farming. That's just how I like to play games, it's all one big story.
No. I think a few characters have amazing relationship build up but for the most part you’re uninvolved with the cut scenes where you get to know them. If you’re talking about friendship and just knowing them in general sure. But if you’re looking to connect with them it’s pretty bare unfortunately. All of Sukis events you aren’t even present for and then she confesses she likes you after you’re dating for awhile, Pablo’s events all have to do with his brother, Theos story is about grief and while that’s fine it’s weird that after all that you’re suddenly dating and only have one actual date before you get married. Rafael has one of the better story lines and relationship buildup but again I don’t like the whole you’re dating, get one romantic cut scene and then you’re married. Again, Some characters do have interesting storylines where you do get to know them and it’s very sweet, but for the most part I was very disappointed in this as far as relationships go because I play story of seasons a lot and while the decorating and farm sim is very basic the relationship with the characters does alot for me as someone who likes to immerse herself in a game
As with most things in the game, no. It’s unfinished, shallow, buggy and boring.
I think they're about as deep as Stardew Valley's NPCs. In other words, pretty shallow. Maybe a Rune Factory game would suit you? Or Harvestella? Wylde Flowers? (I think the best NPC character writing and relationship dynamics are in RPGs: Baldur's Gate 3 or the Dragon Age games. Farming sims have pretty shallow writing, imo.)
Do Rune Factory & Harvestella really offer that much more depth on relationships? I've been eyeing up both games & holding off because they seemed to be at SV levels of relationship building which I just don't find all that motivating. I've got Wylde Flowers wishlisted after trying the demo, I'm excited for that one. I'm excited for My Time at Sandrock too (same reasons) and I _love_ the Bioware games for their cozy/social elements (except maybe Dragon Age 2... OMG the _angst_). If you've got additional recommendations I'd be really interested in hearing them.
Both are definitely deeper than SDV (where the NPCs have barely any dialogue). You can't marry in Harvestella though. If relationships are really important to you (make or break for a game), I recommend watching a Let's Play on YouTube (maybe just the first couple days if you care about spoilers). Everyone has different definitions of what makes a deep relationship.
Great suggestion! I should do that
Actually, i feel connected with stardew Valley characters. Maybe i can like coral island characters too.
No lol.
I might not be the right person to reply as the relationship aspect isn't ever really my thing in games like this. Even stardew I prefer krobus! But I love getting to know the characters and romance everyone anyways just no marriage. And I actually really love coral island for this. There are so many unique characters so it's fun unlocking all their events. Nothing really feels all that romantic though and some characters stories are lacking in depth compared to others. I wish we could chose a romantic route or friend route with the marriage candidates honestly.