Date Everything lets you date nearly anything in your house — from furniture to trash, and even the water running through your pipes. River, who’s Dateable #18, is one of the game’s most unique and layered characters. She’s not just another object; she’s the embodiment of water itself, struggling to figure out who she really is. Here’s everything you need to know about finding River, how to talk to her, and how to unlock all her endings.
Where to Find River
River won’t appear just by wandering around the house. You need to interact with any source of running water — like a sink, bathtub, or shower. But make sure to scan the water itself, not just the faucet or tub, or River won’t show up.
You can do this as soon as you’re done with the game’s tutorial. Some other Dateables mention River in passing, but triggering the running water event is the only way to meet her. You might also find Rebel hanging out in the upstairs bathroom, dropping hints about River’s presence. While it’s not required to meet River, it’s a nice detail that helps tie characters together.
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What River Is Like
River changes personalities a lot. One moment, she’s quiet and shy. The next, she’s acting like a totally different person. She does this because she’s not sure who she really is and often tries to please others. Deep down, though, she wants someone to love her as she is.
Romancing River means being patient and supportive. Don’t push her to pick a single personality. She hates being forced into a box or labeled. Instead, be steady, honest, and gentle. River likes being liked and strongly dislikes being defined. That’s critical during dialogues, because pushing her to choose who she is too aggressively can derail your romance path and lock you into a friendship or even hate ending.
How to Talk to River: All Encounters and Dialogue Options
River’s romance unfolds over five major encounters. Here’s a detailed guide for each step, with exact dialogue choices to help ensure you don’t miss anything.
First Encounter — Meeting River
When River first appears, your goal is to show genuine curiosity and warmth. You should choose lines like:
- “No, actually. Here to see you.”
- “I was actually hoping to get your name.”
- “It’s not asking too much, is it?”
- “Just River? No last name?”
- “Chair?”
- “Ohh, THAT one.”
- “It’s never too late to reinvent yourself.”
- “You’re really putting me on the spot here.”
These responses help River feel seen as a person, not just as a novelty. These choices are critical for keeping River’s interest. Picking bland or disinterested lines here can block your romance route early.
Second Encounter — Conversation With Bathsheba
Next, you’ll find River talking to Bathsheba, the bathtub Dateable. Bathsheba tries to get River to gossip about other Dateables, putting her in an awkward spot. Choose:
- “What’s going on here?”
- “Uh… oh.”
- “Huh.”
- “That doesn’t sound great.”
- Pick any option afterward.
- “Well go on.”
This scene is a test of loyalty. Supporting River without forcing her to gossip helps her feel safe around you.
Third Encounter — Chatting With Dante
The next time you find River, she’s talking with Dante. This is your chance to deepen the relationship. Good lines to pick include:
- “It’s none of my business.”
- “I thought maybe we could hang out.”
- “You’re a crucial part of all those experiences.”
- “I want you to stay and talk to me.”
- “Tell me something about you that no one else knows.”
- “Even Winnifred doesn’t know?”
River starts showing cracks in her various personas during this scene. Being gentle keeps her from closing off again.
Fourth Encounter — River Seems Upset
During the fourth meeting, River seems upset after speaking with Lady Memoria in the attic. Be calm and supportive. Good lines include:
- “You seem down.”
- Pick whichever line you prefer afterward.
- “I like you just the way you are—no matter what state that is.”
- “Do you mind if I sit?”
- “We might just be getting to know each other, but…”
- “Get to know the messy, real River.”
- “Hell, you might hate me too.”
This encounter is crucial. If you fail to comfort her here, River’s storyline can stall or tilt toward the friendship or hate endings.
Fifth Encounter — Romance or Not
At this stage, River is more open and vulnerable. If you’ve been supportive, you’ll get the chance to lock in romance. Say:
- “Oh yeah?”
- “Why’s that?”
- “I’ve been there myself.”
- “Perfectly.”
- “It is all in you!”
- “I’d like that a lot.”
You’ll see a visible change in River’s demeanor here, a sign that she’s dropped her shifting personas and is ready for a genuine connection.
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River’s Endings
River’s story can wrap up in different ways depending on your choices:
- Love Ending: Pick supportive dialogue and show genuine interest in her true self.
- Friendship Ending: Stay kind but opt for friendship when the romance choice appears.
- Hate Ending: Be rude, dismissive, or pressure River about her identity. Mock her attempts at opening up, and she’ll end up hating you.
Choosing the Hate Ending requires consistent negativity. A single rude choice may not lock it in—you need to sustain that approach throughout her storyline.
Regardless of which ending you get first, you’ll earn +5 Empathy SPECS points as a reward.
How to Realize River
To unlock River’s “Realization Recipe,” which lets her fully materialize beyond just being water, you’ll need these SPECS:
| SPECS Category | Required Points |
|---|---|
| Smarts | 45 |
| Poise | 45 |
| Empathy | 45 |
| Charm | 65 |
| Sass | 50 |
River’s Realization Recipe becomes available only after enough Dateables’ stories are completed to level up your SPECS. Don’t expect to unlock it early in a single run unless you’re carefully targeting stat boosts.
River’s Collectables
River’s collectables unlock naturally as you progress through her story:
- Collectable #1: River makes a pun about a famous singer.
- Collectable #2: Earned during the conversation with Bathsheba.
- Collectable #3: Obtained when you paint with River during one of her scenes.
You might not get all collectables in one playthrough, depending on dialogue branches and decisions. If you’re a completionist, be ready for multiple runs.
Why River Romance Feels Special
Romancing River is one of the most meaningful parts of Date Everything. While other Dateables are often quirky or comedic, River’s story is about accepting someone who doesn’t always know who they are. If you’re patient and honest, you’ll help River drop her many masks and discover who she wants to be. In a house full of talking objects, that’s a romance worth remembering.
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