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Relationships are central to both the cozy and the sinister sides of Grave Seasons. Getting close to the townsfolk is how the player embeds into Ashenridge, and it is also how the player gets close enough to the truth to find the killer.

Building Trust

Finding a serial killer is no easy task. To do so, the player completes quests for the townsfolk and builds up their trust. Stronger relationships open up the social side of the town and are tied to the investigation, since trusted residents are easier to learn about. See Characters for the residents the player can get to know.

Romance

In classic farming sim fashion, the player can romance townsfolk. The player character is customizable, including choosing their gender, and romance options are part of life in Ashenridge alongside farming and investigating.

Romancing The Killer

Because the killer is one of the townsfolk and is chosen randomly each playthrough, a romance candidate may turn out to be the murderer. The game openly supports this: the player can romance the killer, whether by accident or on purpose. This ties the relationship system directly into The Murder Mystery, since pursuing someone romantically does not put them above suspicion.