Replaying Skyrim after many years. It was my first game that wasn't on a handheld console or an educational kiddie game. All the good memories and it's overall quality and ambience make it a perfect comfort game for me.
BUT.
I really wish the romance mechanic wasn't just a gimmick.
Maybe I've been spoiled with all the other romance content I consume. Of course Skyrim can't have the same depth in the many dozens of characters inhabiting the continent. I just really wish there were more marriageable NPCs that I care about, or that I could marry the character I do care about.
Erik the green farmer boy that dreams of adventure and follows you when his father finally let's him go? Then calls himself Erik the Slayer of all things, but is actually surprisingly capable?
Brynjolf, who calls you lass or lad, raises you up as the hope of the Thieve's Guild, becomes a Nightingale with you and realizes his revenge only to tell you that he doesn't have time for you whenever you meet after the questline is over. Excuse me? I'm the guildmaster here! I'm the one who's busy! I don't need you to move in with me and become a househusband, all I ask for is that you notice the Amulet of Mara I've been very obviously wearing around you this whole time and some sweet whispers whenever we meet!
On the other hand, a lot of the marriage candidates have short delivery quests to unlock them and some lines of backstory, but nothing that makes me genuinely care about them.
I don't want to feel like I need to put in mental work to like a video game spouse. The game should make me like them. What am I playing an RPG for if not to feel like I'm in a different world?
Honorable mention goes out to the Companions, they're just not my type. Back in the day, you couldn't even marry Lydia.
