Zephyr Town is a weird place. It’s quiet, tucked away in the mountains, and mostly revolves around a weekly farmer’s market that feels like a high-stakes competitive sport. If you’ve spent any time playing Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar—now retroactively part of the Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar bachelors lineup—you know that picking a husband is just as much of a grind as perfecting your turnip crop. It’s not just about the flowers or the cooked dishes. It’s about the vibe.
Honestly, this DS entry is often overlooked because it’s so experimental. No shipping bin? That’s wild. But the bachelors? They’re some of the most distinct characters Marvelous ever designed. You’ve got a world-traveling scholar, a literal prince, and a guy who spends way too much time in a cold basement. Choosing between them is a headache.
Why Zephyr Town Bachelors Hit Different
Most Story of Seasons games give you the standard archetypes. There’s the rough-around-the-edges guy, the childhood friend, and the rich one. In Grand Bazaar, the cast feels a bit more specialized. They have specific schedules that actually make sense for their jobs.
Take Amir, for example. He doesn't even show up until the first Winter. He’s a prince from a far-off land, and he’s basically just there to hide from his royal responsibilities. It’s a trope, sure, but the way he integrates into the town—or doesn't—makes the world feel larger than just your farm.
Then you have Ivan. He’s the "big brother" archetype, but with a serious twist. He’s actually raising his younger brother, Dirk, while working as a tutor. It gives him a level of maturity that’s often missing from these games. He isn't just some guy hanging out at the bar; he has a job, a kid to look after, and a really strict schedule. If you want to marry him, you have to respect his boundaries. It’s refreshing.
The Academic Grind: Winning Over Lloyd and Angelo
If you aren't into the whole royal or "perfect guy" thing, you’re probably looking at Lloyd or Angelo.
Lloyd is the quintessential "cool guy" who wears a long coat and spends his time traveling the world to find rare ores and artifacts. He’s a bit of a loner. He hangs out in his basement a lot. To get him to notice you, you basically have to become a pro at the bazaar. He likes rare items. He likes the thrill of the hunt. It takes a long time to crack his exterior, which makes the payoff feel earned. It’s not like other games where a handful of flowers solves everything in a week. You have to prove you’re a serious resident of Zephyr Town.
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On the other hand, Angelo is the resident artist. He’s sweet. He’s a bit clumsy. He lives with his dad, Gannon, who is the local carpenter. Angelo is the "easy" bachelor in some ways because his heart events are very grounded. He’s just a guy trying to find his way as an illustrator. He’s the type of bachelor you pick if you want a cozy, low-drama life on the farm.
The Real Cost of Romance
Let’s talk about the gift-giving. In most Harvest Moon games, you can spam a guy with his favorite item every day. In Zephyr Town, your success is tied to the Bazaar. Your reputation as a farmer affects how people perceive you.
- Ivan loves Herb Tea. Simple, right? But you have to have the recipe and the ingredients.
- Dirk is obsessed with Cream Croquettes. Good luck getting that early game.
- Amir is the hardest. He loves Stew. But since he only appears in Winter of Year 1, you’re already behind the curve.
Most people get frustrated because they want to rush the wedding. You can’t. The pacing of Grand Bazaar is slow. It’s intentional. The game wants you to feel the passage of the seasons. It wants you to feel the weight of the Bazaar every Saturday. If you aren't selling, you aren't progressing.
The Secret Bachelor: Is Amir Worth the Wait?
Amir is the "hidden" bachelor of the Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar bachelors roster. Because he doesn’t live in town permanently (he lives at the hotel during the Winter), he feels exclusive.
Here is the thing about Amir: he’s actually very humble. You’d expect a prince to be demanding, but he’s just happy to be treated like a normal person. If you can handle the fact that he disappears for chunks of the year before you're married, he has some of the best dialogue in the game. He’s thoughtful. He’s genuinely interested in your farming techniques.
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But there is a catch. To marry him, you have to be patient. You can’t trigger his heart events if he isn't in town. This means your courtship will likely take twice as long as it would with someone like Angelo or Dirk. It’s a test of loyalty. If you can stick it out, his wedding ceremony is probably the most unique in the game.
Dirk: The Energetic Delivery Boy
Dirk is interesting because he actually reappears in Tale of Two Towns. He’s the younger brother of Ivan, and he works as a delivery boy. He’s energetic, he’s loud, and he’s very into bugs.
Marriage to Dirk feels like marrying a best friend. There isn't a lot of "mystery" there, but there is a lot of warmth. He’s always out and about, so he’s easy to find. However, his heart events are tied to his relationship with his brother. You can't just ignore Ivan if you want Dirk. The game forces you to acknowledge the family dynamics, which is a detail many modern Story of Seasons games have unfortunately dropped.
Common Misconceptions About Grand Bazaar Marriage
A lot of players think they can trigger the "Big Bed" and marriage events just by hitting the heart requirements. It’s not that simple.
First, you need the Blue Feather. It only appears in the general store once you have a bachelor at an orange heart or higher. Second, you need to have completed all the specific heart events. Some of these events are weather-dependent. If it’s raining when you need a sunny day, you’re out of luck for a week.
Also, the bazaar level matters. You need to be a successful farmer. The town thrives when you thrive. If you aren't upgrading the bazaar, the town isn't growing, and some events won't trigger. It’s a holistic system. Your love life is literally tied to your economic output. It’s a bit capitalistic for a cozy game, but it makes the world feel interconnected.
Heart Events: The Silent Killers
If you miss a heart event, you’re stuck. You can’t skip from Purple to Yellow. You have to do them in order.
Most people fail with Lloyd because they don't realize his events often happen late at night or in specific locations like the waterfall. He’s a busy guy. He’s not just waiting around for you to hand him a rock. You have to learn his routine. This is why Grand Bazaar is actually one of the harder games in the series to "complete" quickly. It demands that you pay attention to the clock.
Picking the Right Bachelor for Your Playstyle
Honestly, it comes down to what you want your daily routine to look like.
If you want a husband who is deeply involved in the town and feels like a pillar of the community, Ivan is the choice. He’s reliable. He’s consistent. He’s the guy who will always be there at the end of the day.
If you want a bit of adventure and don't mind a partner who has his own stuff going on, Lloyd or Amir are the play. They feel like individuals who chose to be with you, rather than just NPCs who were programmed to wait for you.
And if you just want someone fun? Dirk and Angelo. They bring a lightness to the farm that balances out the stress of the weekly market.
The Actionable Roadmap to Marriage in Zephyr Town
If you’re starting a new save or trying to finish one from ten years ago, stop guessing. Here is the move:
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- Invest in the Windmills early. You need them to process the gifts these guys actually like. You aren't going to win Ivan over with raw herbs forever; you need that Tea.
- Hoard your Bazaar earnings. The "Big Bed" is expensive. The house renovations are expensive. If you spend all your money on seeds and don't save for the upgrades, you’ll have a guy at a Red Heart who can’t move in because you’re living in a studio apartment.
- Talk to the family. In Grand Bazaar, the NPCs aren't just background noise. Talking to Gannon helps with Angelo. Talking to Ivan helps with Dirk. It builds your "invisible" reputation points.
- Watch the weather like a hawk. Use the radio. If a heart event requires a "Sunny Saturday," and you see clouds, prepare to wait another week. Don't waste your gifts on a day when you can't trigger the event.
- Focus on one person. Because of the way the Bazaar works, trying to gift-spam five different guys will bankrupt you. Pick your favorite and commit.
Zephyr Town is a grind, but the Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar bachelors make it worth it. They aren't just faces in a menu; they’re part of a weird, wind-powered ecosystem that rewards patience over speed. Just make sure you have enough Stew for Amir when Winter hits. You’re going to need it.
To make the most of your time, focus on mastering the jump mechanic to find ores in the river. Those ores are the "free" gifts that can keep your relationships afloat while you save your high-quality crops for the Bazaar. Selling is for profit, but foraging is for love. Keep your storage organized, watch the calendar, and don't forget to ring the bell at your stall. Marriage in Zephyr Town is a marathon, not a sprint.