Games with Romance

All about love in videogames

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In God of War Ragnarök, Kratos and Atreus face not only material trials but also spiritual ones. The father must accept his past, where love is now only a memory. And the son must choose a path to a future where love has only just begun to reveal its first signs. Faye taught Kratos to be human. Angborda showed Atreus how to appreciate the world around him. Love, in all times and in all circumstances, has always been the driving force that keeps us alive.

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Even in a different era and in a different role, Kazuma Kiryu remains himself. A brave hero guarding kindness and justice, who simply lacks the time and opportunity to establish a personal life. But at least there was room for a brief romantic adventure with a rebellious maid in the Bakumatsu era. Although she had her own motives for getting closer to the hero, this didn't stop them from falling in love.

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Who would have thought that the fugitive developers from TellTale, on their last breath, would be able to create one of the best interactive stories of recent years? Dispatch doesn't break the comic canon, but carefully crafts its own original and engaging story about underdogs overcoming conflicts and prejudices. And what's even more striking is how well-developed the romances are. Choosing between Blondie Blazer and Invisigal is difficult, because each has its own unique charm. Some prefer a brighter, purer Wonder Woman image and a mature relationship. And others want to try to redeem the “bad girl” and show her the path to the Light.

All of this is presented with an octave, sincerity, and reactivity that has long been lacking in modern games, sterilized for the needs of the majority. As it turns out, to be successful you don't need to please everyone, you just need to do what you like and people will appreciate it for what it is.

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Square Enix had a good chance to showcase a proper romance in Final Fantasy XVI, given that the game inspired heavily by Game of Thrones, including its serious, mature tone and themes.

Unfortunately, the maturity was limited to a chaste sex scene with Benedicta and a shy gay kiss between two knights. Meanwhile, the main couple, Clive and Jill, bound by fate and magic, spend almost the entire game together, with shockingly few romantic interactions between them. Aside from the introduction, the beach scene, the optional quest in the flower meadow, and their farewell, they barely demonstrate anything resembling mutual affection. The situation is reminiscent of Final Fantasy XII, where the main focus was on battles and political intrigue rather than feeling. Well, what else could you expect from an MMO creator?

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Besides Aloy, her loyal comrade Varl also found happiness in the game, along with chieftain Zo, who cast aside tradition for the greater good. Although this happiness was short-lived, it was quite sweet for both participants.

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I'm glad that at least in the expansion, Aloy got the chance for a little romantic adventure. She traveled the entire journey alone, refusing the help of her friends, so she deserved a small reward in finding someone who touches her heart.

I'm not surprised that this person is the seafarer Seika. She's just as feisty, courageous, energetic, with leadership qualities and a passion for justice.

They made a great couple, helped the tribe, and also dealt with the nefarious Zenith and his giant monster. It's a shame they had to say goodbye.

For how long? We'll find out in the next installment.

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The biggest problem of the Dragon Age: The Veilguard is its mediocre writing. It's not bad, it's not good, it's just mediocre and completely unmemorable. Therefore, any potentially interesting, unusual, important, or even emotional elements of the story and quests are lost in the general flow of boredom and dullness. Unfortunately, this also applies to the romances. If they were written by someone talented, they would be extraordinary, not clichéd or trendy things where every word is embarrassing. Of all the options available to me, I preferred Neve Gallu, and only because she seems the most mature and rational of this bunch of children saving the world as if they were on a picnic.

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There is no romance as such in Disco Elysius. Unless you count the knife-like pain of lost love. But the game has such incredibly well-written characters that even a fling with a wise and kind fisher woman wakes tender emotions. This can lead to a walk on the “Edge of the world”. And to one of the most sensual, piercing and heartwarming dialogs in video games history, after which you want to become a better person and think about family for real.

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There are now two spiders in the Spider-Man sequel and two romances.

I find it hard to accept Peter Parker's new look. When I see him next to Mary Jane, I get the feeling that he's a schoolboy who dates his teacher.

There's another problem with Miles and Haley's romance. It's too short and unsatisfying. The girl looks like some kind of supplement to Spider-Man, except for her short quest with a street graffiti artist.

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The Last of Us Part 2 is a game that is hard to perceive with the same enthusiasm as the first part. Many plot decisions cause misunderstanding, or even real rejection. Not because they are shocking, but because they are simply idiotic.

The two characters are unequal to each other. If the story of Ellie, turning into a monster, hits right in the heart, then the story of Abby, a monster turning into a human, looks pathetic, absurd and imposed.

The same applies to romance.

The relationship between Ellie and Dina is beautiful and tragic, where Ellie becomes a victim of an absurd thirst for revenge. Her choice is terrible, but understandable. She, in fact, follows the same path as Joel, the path of self-destruction, which, however, does not detract from the touching moments of intimacy between the two girls. From the first kiss at the dance to the farewell on the farm.

Abby, in turn, finds herself drawn into a stupid and unresolved love triangle and does all sorts of crazy things for no apparent reason. But with one snap of her fingers, she changes her character, years of military carnage for the sake of a couple of kids from the enemy camp.

You don't believe in her. Her tears don't touch. Her suffering doesn't hurt. She remains a death machine, which for some unknown reason the game's creators are trying to justify.

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After 20 years, I returned to Silent Hill. The town that once haunted me in dreams, now enveloped in the fog of unfulfilled hopes and secret desires. I go deep, in search of long-lost love, but what awaits me in this dank white shroud? What horror lurks there? I meet the one whose face I could not forget. And yet, who is this stranger? Where is she leading me, and will I be able to get back? Will I want to go back or remain forever a prisoner of this place, between hell and heaven? If she stays with me, I will not resist any longer.

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I wish it wasn't a visual novel with static images, but a real game musical with beautiful graphics and animation. Especially since the designs and characters are excellent. And I liked the modern take on the ancient Greek mythology. However, for Grace, I preferred the familiar trope of friends becoming lovers. I really like the dynamics of her relationship with Farishta, a walking nerd who is always ready to come to the rescue. For such a cuty you can go to the kingdom of Hades and even give up your own divine powers.

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Life is Strange: Double Exposure is without a doubt a very problematic game. It is also very difficult to accept, if you are a fan of the first game, and especially if you chose to save Chloe in the end.

But you can try to abstract yourself from the roots. Accept that this is a story about Max Caulfield and her attempt to find herself after a bitter loss. Then you can get an amazing emotional adventure, in which there is place for new relationships.

I like the bar worker with a great sense of humor and musical taste. She and Max have a connection at first sight. It's a pity that Amanda plays only a small role in the plot.

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I've completed Last of Us: Part 1 for the third time, only this time the remake version. And I'm still completely delighted with the game and its plot, even after so many years. Naughty Dog has some best storytellers in the industry. To show all the stages of a young relationship, from teenage angst to first pure love, in one short DLC: that requires real skill. Although the story of Ellie and Riley is tragic, I see some good in it, which helped shape Ellie into such an interesting and deep heroine in the future.

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I heard that “Alan Wake” was inspired by Lynch or King, but I personally saw a rather mediocre story about an obsessed writer with drinking problems and toxic relationship. His wife Alice is barely present in the game and acts as a MacGuffin. Barry, an obnoxious literary agent, has more screen time than her. Remedy could have shown the Wake's love life more often and in more detail between episodes, so that the player could get to know characters better and empathize them. But no, a very conditional romance is just a reason for Alan to move from point A to point B.

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At first, when Gina Lombardi appeared, I was worried that she would overshadow Indiana Jones or take over his role in the game. That she would become that crude example of female characters who do not need to be saved and who do not need love for self-affirmation.

But Gina turned out to be quite an interesting partner. She is self-sufficient, but does not refuse help. She can be quarrelsome, but she sincerely becomes attached to Doctor Jones. And their relationship develops from the first meeting to the end of the game, building an adequate connection with the expected kiss on the sunset.

Of course, the love of all Indy's life is Marion, but Gina is not a simple affair or a trophy. No, she repeatedly proves her usefulness, sharp mind and curiosity. And at the same time, she remains a woman, alive and real.

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Sometimes love helps us make the most terrible and most important decision in life. The only love for which one can and should make a sacrifice. True love, that makes a man a hero.

An oil rig worker, captured by a supernatural horror from the depths, experiences the evolution of his character and his purpose in life. Choosing between a ghostly chance for personal salvation and a guarantee of the safety of his wife, children and all of humanity.

A very creepy, but touching story about humanity…