Palia’s charm lies not just in its gorgeous landscapes or cozy gameplay, but in the relationships players form along the way. From foraging with friends to decorating dream homes, Palia fosters a sense of community that naturally leads to deeper bonds. But as with any cozy life sim, not all love interests are created equal. Some NPCs deliver compelling character growth and emotional payoff, while others leave players wanting more.
For players seeking a little love in their day-to-day routines, Palia offers eleven romanceable NPCs, each with their own personalities, routines, and stories to discover. Whether someone’s looking for a slow burn, a flirty best friend, or a mysterious stranger, this list breaks down which Palia romances are worth the investment and which still need a little narrative polish in future game updates.
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S-Tier: That Disney-Standard Kind of Love
Jina
Jina’s sweet curiosity and deep intellect make her one of Palia’s most rewarding romances. Her love of ancient artifacts and scholarly pursuits brings depth, and her interactions with the player are consistently thoughtful. Every new milestone feels earned, and her dialogue delivers a warm sincerity that’s easy to fall for. In fact, Jina is an excellent choice for people who romanced Penny in Stardew Valley.
Tish
The furniture queen of Kilima brings more than just gorgeous interiors to the table. Tish’s romance is bubbly and heartfelt, with genuine emotional stakes beneath her cheerful demeanor. She's a natural nurturer, and the player’s growing bond with her feels authentic as a result.
Nai’o
Nai’o is the responsible older brother trope done right. Dependable, hardworking, and kind, his story arc reads straight from a Hallmark classic, yet striking a great balance between quiet strength and gentle vulnerability. His romance path is one of Palia’s best because it unfolds with care, and the emotional payoff is strong, as he’s the kind of character who’s worth committing to. To top it all off, his romance starts with a little bit of spice, since there is another villager on his mind when the romance quest launches.
A-Tier: Solid Partners With Room to Grow
Hassian
The brooding ranger with a soft spot for animals and solitude is a classic romance archetype, and Palia executes it well. Hassian’s relationship with his dog Tau is adorable, and his gradual warming to the player beyond Palia’s hunting tutorial obligations is satisfying. By the end of the romance quest, Hassian the hunter is a true romantic, making him ideal for players who want that gushy kind of feeling from their in-game romances. Still, his dialogue can sometimes feel sparse, keeping him just shy of S-tier.
Kenyatta
Kenyatta brings big “rebel with a heart” energy, just like Abigail from Stardew Valley. Her youthful fire and strained relationship with her mayoral mother add dimension to her personality, and her secret romance with Nai’o offers juicy side drama for a player to decode. She’s fun and layered, though some of her romantic moments feel like they need just a bit more polish—perhaps due to her rugged nature, but still, more moments where she lets her guard down would be nice to see.
Reth
Reth is charming, confident, and always ready with a joke or a meal. His flirty banter keeps the early stages of his romance path entertaining, and his backstory adds more weight than expected. A way to a player’s heart is through their stomach, and Reth embodies that literally by teaching the player how to cook in Palia. That said, his emotional beats don’t land as hard as some others, keeping him comfortably in A-tier.
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B-Tier: Likeable, But Missing a Spark
Hodari
Hodari is a solid character who feels grounded in his mining work and family life. His romantic arc leans more toward a “slow burn,” but sometimes feels too slow due to the complexity of progressing his romance. While he’s a likable presence in Kilima, and his maturity makes him an incredible option for some players, his romance just doesn’t shine as brightly compared to others since the player always feels secondary to his child.
Jel
As the fashion-forward tailor of Kilima, Jel’s vibe is all flair and drama, which can be a lot of fun for players who are used to characters like Eliott from Stardew Valley or Astarion from Baldur’s Gate 3. However, his romantic path doesn’t offer much growth or emotional depth yet. He feels more like a flirty friend with a few poetic lines, but he surely has the potential of being one of Palia’s best romances if Singularity 6 expands on his story.
Subira
Subira is poised and professional, and her elegant persona is easy to admire. Her guarded nature adds intrigue, but that same distance keeps her romance from feeling particularly personal. While there’s potential here, her romance currently lacks the emotional momentum of higher-tier contenders. However, for certain players who long for the Mr. Darcy-type of restraint or a forbidden romance trope, Subira may be in the S-Tier on their personal lists.
C-Tier: The Ones That Need More Love (Literally)
Einar
For anyone who had dreamed of romancing Legion from Mass Effect, Einar is here to answer the call. Einar is a gentle ancient being with a deep reverence for the world around him and a pebble collection that rivals anyone’s. While his uniqueness is appreciated, and his love for fishing is adorable, his romance arc lacks the intimacy and engagement players may be seeking. More depth could lift him, but for now, he remains more novelty than heartthrob.
Tamala
Tamala is mysterious and magical, but her aloofness keeps many players at arm’s length. Her romance feels like it could bloom into something hauntingly beautiful, yet never quite crosses the threshold due to her personality. A more involved arc would give this enigmatic herbalist the emotional grounding she needs to climb the ranks, but currently, she lacks the development to make her romance something worth chasing. The negative reactions from other Palians when pursing her doesn't help matters.
Palia
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 67%
- Released
- August 10, 2023
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Singularity 6, Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Singularity 6, Inc.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Explore a vibrant new world made just for you with Palia, a free-to-play, cozy sim MMO game. Craft, cook, fish, and farm with friends as you live the life of your dreams and discover an enchanting adventure filled with colorful characters and a mystery to unravel.
Do What You Love: Fish and farm or cook and catch insects - you can live off the land any way you like! Tend to your home plot and nurture your garden or explore Kilima Valley and Bahari Bay to forage for items, ingredients, and rare critters.
An Always-Evolving Adventure: Unravel a deep mystery about what happened to ancient humans as you reappear in a world alongside other players.
Befriend the local Majiri, learn their backstories, foster relationships, and maybe even romance! Be sure to give back to the community by providing gifts and honing your skills in fishing, hunting, crafting, and more.
Make Your House a Home: Customize your character and build the home of your dreams! With hundreds of craftable items and customizable options, you can decorate your plot to make your home uniquely yours.
Play solo or jump in with friends at any time! Palia is a friendly, cozy community that's always here to welcome you home. Discover a shared world full of players and new friends and enjoy your adventure together.
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, MMO
