Playing games can be lonely sometimes. Adventuring and completing quests can be fulfilling in their own right, but they can also leave something to be desired if that’s all there is. Luckily, there are multiple games that allow you to experience romance between your main missions and other tasks. Relationship-building mechanics have become a staple of the simulation genre and “cozy” games — and, of course, there are dating sims — but plenty of other genres have included this aspect of role-playing to great success. Here are the Top 10 best games with romance options.
Best Games with Romance Options
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a life simulator RPG developed by ConcernedApe, where you inherit a rundown farm. Throughout the game, you can also interact with the village locals and pursue romantic relationships with some of them. The romanceable NPCs have a variety of personalities, backgrounds, and interests, letting you find the perfect partner with which to rebuild Grandpa’s farm.
To romance an NPC, you must increase their friendship level by talking to them regularly, completing quests, and giving them gifts. Once a Friendship Level is high enough, you can pursue a romantic relationship that can lead to marriage — and even having children.Â
Mass Effect
Mass Effect is a science fiction action role-playing game developed by Bioware — and one that needs no introduction. You play as Commander Shepard, a customizable protagonist who can be either male or female. Alongside many Bioware games before and after it, Mass Effect is known for its rich storytelling and player choices, which include romance options.
Whether you play the male or female versions of Commander Shepard, there are NPCs to woo. That’s because Mass Effect is also known for its inclusivity regarding its options that include players regardless of gender or sexual orientation. To expand things even further, there are also aliens that can be romanced if you want to explore options outside of humans.
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem is a tactical role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo. The game is known for its wide variety of romance options, and while the relationships here are usually with the opposite gender, there are some characters of the same gender you can create deep relationships with. Not only can the main character, Byleth, be in romantic relationships, but every support character can also.
The game’s bonding system revolves around Support Levels, which increase through battling together and having conversations. These exchanges give insight into their personalities and backstories, fleshing out the larger game and lore around them, making them well worth pursuing for more than just love. Since there are so many possible character relationships, some have better chemistry than others.
Dragon Age
Dragon Age is another grand Bioware RPG, except instead of being set in space, it’s set in a fantastic fantasy setting known for its rich storytelling and player choices that change the narrative. In typical Bioware fashion, Dragon Age is also known for its inclusivity, allowing for same-gender relationships.
Spanning multiple games, the series also lets you romance different races, such as the Qunari and Elves, adding to the immersion of this world of sword and sorcery. While not every interaction hits the same, and some can be rather bland, the breadth of role-playing possibilities brought about by the systems here only adds intricate layers to an already deep experience.
Skyrim
Skyrim, or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, as it’s also known, is an open-world action role-playing game developed by Bethesda that carries on the lineage of the classic RPG series. It’s been praised for its vast open world, rich lore, freedom of exploration, and character interaction. Although Skyrim doesn’t emphasize romance options, it’s a nice touch in this vast fantasy world of fire and ice.
Like some other games on this list, wooing NPCs can lead to marriage regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The tasks and conversations can be dull, but marriage has its benefits. To marry a character, you must have the Amulet of Mara, signifying your readiness for marriage. Afterward, you can move in with your spouse, where your companion can cook meals for you and provide a portion of their profit if they own a business.
KOTOR
KOTOR, or Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, is the definitive RPG set in a galaxy far, far away. It takes place thousands of years before the events of the movies and is known for its character-driven choices and compelling story.
Relegated to Legends (for now — if you don’t count Revan’s mentions in various canon material), KOTOR lets you play as a customizable Jedi that can be male or female, opening up various romance options for both. To seduce a character, you must choose dialog options to deepen the relationship.
The romance in KOTOR is engaging since you play as a Jedi, and attachments are forbidden by the Jedi Code. As the romance unfolds, you’ll witness the nuances of what emotions and actions lead to the dark side or strengthen your connection to the light.
Persona 5
Persona 5 is a classic. Developed by Atlus, the school-set RPG is known for its turn-based combat and social simulation aspects. The game allows you to have relationships with characters known as Confidants, and your relationship with a Confidant grows depending on the dialog options you choose.
Since you play as the delinquent high schooler, Joker, the interactions between characters are engaging and whimsical. Whether it’s a friend at academy or even the local doctor, the dialog is fun and well-written. These interactions grow deep, sprouting into emotional character connections and development. Â Â
Cathrine Full Body
Having romance options in a horror puzzle game might seem unexpected, but Cathrine Full Body, developed by Atlus, does just that. The story revolves around Vincent and his relationship with two women of the same name (just spelled differently): Kathrine and Cathrine.
While lazy and unmotivated Vincent is dating his long-term girlfriend Kathrine, he one night finds himself waking up next to another woman after a night drinking. Enter Catherine. The game does well at examining his internal conflicts and exploring mature themes, including love, infidelity, and personal identity. Whereas some other games with romance options might have surface-level systems, Catherine Full Body goes a bit further. And there are multiple endings, depending on who Vincent ends up with.Â
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 from CD Projekt Red is a dystopian RPG set in a neon future. You play as V, a customizable character that can be male or female, and unlike some of the other games with romance options on this list, gives you the option for both short hookups and long-lasting relationships.
Though the system is similar to that found in The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077 boasts more inclusion with having romance options regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Despite that, the dialogue is not as engaging as CDPR’s other flagship RPG franchise. Only certain characters will have an impact on the ending, though each has a unique and exciting personality.
The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3. Based on the book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, it stands alongside games like Skyrim as one of the most popular RPGs of all time. Renowned for its open world, rich story, and complex characters, The Witcher 3‘s romance system is one of its biggest gameplay elements. And it includes some of the most important decisions you’ll make while exploring the Continent.
Geralt has multiple romantic companions to choose from and puts a larger emphasis on romance than its predecessor, The Witcher 2, which focuses on more casual relationships. Already complex, the characters only become more so once you begin to woo them.
Those are the Top 10 best games with romance options. While most of the games highlighted here are RPGs, the simulation genre also includes a number of notable entries, such as the Harvest Moon franchise and The Sims. If you’re still looking for love, there are plenty of dating sims to give a shot, too. Just be careful because some can be a bit creepy (looking at you Mr. Massagy).
