Useless rpg recs. Queer free videogames (free games with lgbtq characters/romances)
Happy pride month!! For this pride month I am posting a queer protagonist each day, but I also wanted to start June with a small list of recs! I linked to the download for each game (or indicated where to find it). I added an asterisk nearby my absolute favorites.
In green games with trans protagonists/stories, in blue gay and mlm stories, in pink lesbian and wlw stories, and in violet games with multiple genders for the player which allow the chance of non-straight romance.
*One night, Hot Springs (on steam): visual novel wth 7 different endings, no romance, but you can deepen your friendship with two characters. You play as Haru, a trans woman who is invited to a night at the hot springs by her best friend. You will have to face many of Haru's fears and hesitation, and you can befriend Erika, and even uncover Haru's crush for her best friend. There is some talk about the experience of being a trans woman in high school, and in general some questions from Erika about Haru herself.
*Eternal Home Floristry (itch.io): One of my favorite games ever. How this 15 minutes game can pack such a punch (and storytelling? with a whole character development?) I have no idea. It is set in a futuristic world where flowers are dying. You play as Gordon, a hit man who just lost an arm and is taken in by Sebastian, an elderly man who is a florist. Both Gordon and Sebastian are gay men. In the game you can prepare 4 bouquets, and based on the flowers you choose you will see different sides of characters/the story.
missed messages. (itch.io): (also on steam) I played this ages ago and I remember really enjoying it! Short visual novel with gorgeous art and four different endings. Make sure to check the warnings, it deals with self harm, depression, but also with love and hope. I remember crying quite a lot when I played it the first time, years ago.
Margo: Very short puzzle game/visual novel. Margo is the wlw main character, she just woke up from a nap and you need to help her get ready to study at the library. It is best to go in without any knowledge! It is both cute and bittersweet.
*Hoping this finds you well (on steam): Visual novel set in a pseudohistorical 1900. You will read the letters of Faraday and Harold, two professors/researchers. The game mainly consists in reading their letters (and seeing how their relationship evolves) and being able to chang the POV of who is reading. It makes for some very sweet or hilarious moments (ex. Faraday reading with extreme terror Harold's ramblings about demons, while Harold is writing them quite happily). Both characters are mlm.
Drowning Cross (on steam): Small rpg pixel game where you play as Jeremy, on a journey to find your boyfriend Leo who disappeared (that very same night) after a car crash. The game is an exploration of Jeremy and Leo's relationship difficulties, and of Jeremy himself. Very mature theme mixed with some supernatural elements too.
*A Tavern at Night (and sequel) (itch.io): One of my favorite visual novels ever! You play as a faceless (it is in first person) traveller who stops at a tavern. You can choose your pronouns. At the tavern you will meet another traveller, an orc, and you have the chance to talk with him, and maybe even start a romance. Such good art, and characterization in such a beautiful short game.
Worst Dating Sim: This is a parody of a bara/BL/yaoi dating simulator. It manages to be incredibly hard (I needed a guide to play it successfully as the game has 69 bad endings), a bit long and... it has no saving button! Even if it is mainly comedic, it also has some sweet moments! You play as young man who has to romance a delinquent guy who is (under it all) quite a softie.
Memories (on steam): I admit I could not finish it because it was too sad, but if you are in the mood for some bittersweet visual novel this is for you. You play as a girl who goes through her clothes, trying different outfits and remembering the memories of her ex-girlfriend associated with them.
Non-binary (on steam): text choice game with a platform like gameplay too. This strange small game was pretty touching (and can be pretty triggering I think). You will play as two possible characters, both non-binary, avoiding gendered words (in the shape of blue square or pink triangles), trying to go through childhood to adulthood without breaking down. It is mainly a self discovering journey for the two protagonists.
Purrgatory (itch.io): (also on steam) I am still playing this! This is absolutely chaotic! A point and click game with very sketch-like art. You can choose your pronouns! You play as someone who just died and goes to purrgatory (yes purrr... lots of cats!). Absolutely chaotic and quite funny-
Fling with a Tiefling (on steam): Very short visual novel where you play a genderless character and declare your feelings/flirt with the tiefling in your party the night before the big dnd-like mission. It is quite cute, and mainly I added because it is fully voiced so it was quite a surprise. The game has three main choices.
Milky Way Prince (on steam): an almost horror and quite long visual novel with a mlm romance that is hiding so much more than simply a crush/love. I am still playing this one and I cannot believe it is actually free.
Our Life: Beginnings and Always (on steam): I have just started this one, but it has been recommended to me a lot of times, so I thought I would add it anyway! A dating sim/visual novel where you customize your protagonist and grow up (and fall in love) with the boy next door. Also this game is voiced!
*A date with death (itch.io): (also on steam) This visual novel is absolutely amazing, and one of my favorite dating sims. You can play as any gender and customize your looks, your room and choose a pet. In the game you can romance the Grim Reaper, a mysterious guy who installs a chat software on your laptop and reveals he has been trying to collect your soul. The game is so sweet but also has a lot of mystery (and great art). The free game is 7 days and is complete, and if you want you can install a dlc that adds four days.
There's this girl (itch.io): More of a slide show of beautiful art, the story is told by sliding the art and selecting a few choices. Still, I fell in love with the art so I decided to add it anyway. The story of a girl who falls in love, her relationship and the ends (and maybe future?) of this relationship.
Everything ends in 0 (on steam): Narrative experience more than a game. You have 1 hour to travel a mysterious world and hears the stories of a multitude of living beings.
Last minute love (itch.io): A point and click pixel game where you play as a guest in a retirement home. You can only choose your name, but no gender, and you can romance one among the other four residents, also helping them with their issues.
