The Best Male Romance Options In Video Games

Romance is a pretty common element in video games these days, especially role-playing games and interactive story games. When it comes to the characters that players can romance, there are always certain personality types designed to attract each kind of player. One particularly prominent romance trope is the charming male character that sweeps the player off their feet. Charming video game guys come in all shapes and sizes, from the easily flustered to the standoffish and beyond.

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There is a range of romanceable video game men who are charming in their own way, and we’re going to be looking at eight particularly noteworthy choices for charming dudes that are sure to make players from every demographic swoon.

8 Rafael Sanchez

Coral Island

• Players must go through all seven of Rafael’s Heart Events to romance him.
• Once Heart Events are complete, go to the blacksmiths, buy a locket, and gift it to Rafael to get the last few hearts.
• Loved Gifts: Onyx and Sashimi
• Liked Gift: Coconut

There are more than 20 characters that can be romanced in the cozy indie game Coral Island, and plenty of them have heaps of charm. One stand-out choice of a charming male romance is Rafael, a sweet but reserved blacksmith.

Rafael can be found pretty easily in the game, as he runs the blacksmith shop with his brother Pablo. He usually stays in the Woodlands area where the Sanchez Brothers Blacksmith shop is located. Rafael is a shy and reserved romance option, but he’s also the perfect definition of the gentle giant. His muscular and burly physique contrasts his somewhat bashful nature, but this is what makes him so endearing.

His reserved personality doesn’t stop him from being a kind and caring individual, especially towards his family. He is close to his brother, but he also has a sweet relationship with his young niece Valentina. The importance of family to Rafael along with his shy and retiring personality makes him a particularly charming romance in Coral Island.

7 Paladin Danse

Fallout 4

• Voiced by Peter Jessop
• Romanceable after completing the Blind Betrayal Brotherhood of Steel quest or when reaching maximum affinity
• A romance will begin once a dialogue romance persuasion check is passed.
• Side with the Brotherhood of Steel to increase affinity
• Likes: Modifying armor, modifying weapons, entering Vertibirds, and entering Power Armor

While the romance system in Fallout 4 isn’t quite as in-depth as some of the others we have mentioned on this list, Paladin Danse’s romance is a particularly charming one. Danse is a commanding officer in the Brotherhood of Steel when the player first encounters him, but - without going too deeply into spoiler territory - his circumstances change dramatically. Though initially cool and confident, Danse becomes unsure of his place in the world as his story progresses.

Paladin Danse is another romanceable soldier-like character who isn’t quite as good with his emotions as he is on the battlefield, but the secrets hiding beneath make his characteristics all the more poignant. He is also painfully awkward when he tries to flirt, which is particularly endearing.

When he starts to open up to the player, it becomes clear that Danse is grateful to have them in his life. He is fiercely loyal but ultimately lonely. If the player chooses to romance him, they become a beacon of hope for him as he starts to get a grip on the depth of his feelings for them. Danse’s charm comes from the uncertainty he is hiding beneath a mask of confidence, as well as his reliance on the player for comfort during a difficult time.

6 Craig Cahn

Dream Daddy

• Voiced by Nathan Sharp
• Lighthearted joking and kind dialogue choices work well with Craig.
• Be genuine and understanding when he discusses his failed marriage.
• When it comes to flirting, be a little bold. He’s into that.
• Always opt for sports-related answers.

Dream Daddy is an underrated gem of a dating simulator that puts players in the shoes of the new dad in town. There are several cute dads to choose from in the game, all of whom are charming in their own way. However, sports bro Craig is the dad who made it onto our list.

Craig is an old friend of the player character, so if he is chosen to romance, the friends-to-lovers narrative is incredibly sweet and thoroughly charming. The existing relationship means that there is already an established bond between Craig and the player, but it also offers some cute backstory tidbits for them too. For instance, some of the interactions with Craig suggest some fun stories about him and the player from their years together at college, such as when they snuck a puppy into their dorm room.

Craig himself is also a hugely charming character who has three daughters from his previous marriage. Most of the time, he can be seen with his youngest daughter - baby River - strapped to his chest, which is adorably endearing and a testament to his dedication to being a good dad.

As mentioned, all the romanceable daddies in Dream Daddy are highly charming in their own ways. However, Craig’s bro-to-boyfriend narrative and dedication to his daughters make him a particularly charming choice.

5 Sebastian

Stardew Valley

• Make sure to learn Sebastian’s schedule, as he can be hard to spend time with as he spends so much time in his room.
• Reach ten friendship hearts with Sebastian to unlock the ability to marry him by proposing with a Mermaid’s Pendant.
• Purchase a Mermaid Pendant to propose for 5,000g. They can be bought from the Old Mariner, who resides on the beach on rainy days.
• Mermaid Pendants can only be purchased once the farmhouse has at least one upgrade.
• Loved Gifts: All Universal Loves, Frog Egg, Frozen Tear, Obsidian, Pumpkin Soup, Sashimi and Void Egg.
• Liked Gifts: Flounder and Quartz.

For players who want a brooding loner kind of romance, Sebastian from Stardew Valley is the perfect choice. Sebastian lives in his parent's basement and tends to stay there a lot of the time. He is very reserved and gets absorbed in his work as a computer programmer, so it can be difficult to try and form and connection with him. Because of this, he is a romanceable character that needs some time and effort to get to know him.

Beneath Sebastian’s reclusive ways is a charming and misunderstood guy who has become a popular choice for Stardew Valley players due to his relatability. It’s easy to empathize with his struggles, particularly for those who also tend to lock themselves away in their rooms.

Sebastian is definitely relatable to many players, but the sweetness that lies underneath his somewhat anti-social exterior is what makes him a charming choice for romance.

4 Claude Von Riegan

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

• English VA: Joe Zieja
• Japanese VA: Toshiyuki Toyonaga
• Romanceable for female Byleth
• Choose the Golden Deer House at the start of the game or Claude will be locked out of romance.
• Support level A is needed for romance.
• Raise support levels by going for tea and choosing the right dialogue choices.
• Recommended gifts for Claude: Board Game, Book of Crest Designs, Exotic Spices, Owl Feather, and Riding Boots.

Despite there being multiple romance options for Byleth- the player character - in Fire Emblem: Three Houses - romance is one of the more subtle elements of the game.

When it comes to a particularly charming choice for romance, Claude is one of the more noteworthy options. Claude is the heir of the Von Riegan family, leaders of the Leicester Alliance in Fodlan. He is the leader of the Golden Deer house at the Officer’s Academy school. Players can only get the Claude romance ending at the game’s finale if they choose to be part of the Golden Deer at the beginning of the game.

Claude is the most carefree of the three leading students at the Officer’s Academy. He comes across as a charismatic guy who is probably a little too relaxed about his political position. That said, as players get to know him and build their bond, it becomes clear that his laid-back exterior hides an insightful nature. His charm is genuine, but he uses it as a shield of sorts, especially when it comes to hiding his true feelings.

If players build their support relationship with Claude to A, his true self becomes more obvious. He is shown to have much more depth than he likes to outwardly show. Claude is thoroughly charming throughout Three Houses, but romancing him- or just becoming closer in general - showcases a tactical and capable political mind hiding behind that suave charm.

3 Astarion Ancunín

Baldur’s Gate 3

• Voice and motion capture performance by Neil Newbon
• Astarion’s approval rating will improve when players support his wants and desires. He also generally enjoys being a bad guy. However, he isn’t unromanceable for players who don’t want to be evil.
• Let him bite you as much as possible.
• Don’t be disrespectful towards vampires.

While Wyll is a sincere charmer in Baldur’s Gate 3, vampire Astarion uses his charm for less valiant purposes. As a vampire spawn, Astarion is often tasked with charming innocent people and luring them into his bed before turning them into spawns too, and giving them to his master. Not exactly princely behavior, but his charm is undeniable and a big part of his character and romance storyline.

Astarion is initially only after a physical relationship if players get his approval high enough, but if the bond between them continues to grow, he will admit his genuine care and love for them. Talking about his proper feelings is a bit like pulling teeth for Astarion, but it adds another layer of depth to his character. His emotional awkwardness creates a more genuine charm, but players will only get to see it if they make the effort to get to know him.

Astarion is pretty morally bankrupt, and the player's choices can either further his decadent ways or make him a bit more kind and sympathetic. No matter how his character develops within a playthrough, his charming nature is prominent and one of the reasons why he quickly became a fan-favorite character from Baldur’s Gate 3.

2 Garrus Vakarian

Mass Effect 2

• Voiced by Brandon Keener
• Only romanceable from the second Mass Effect game.
• Can be romanced even if a different character was romanced in the first game.
• Complete Garrus’s Loyalty missions and choose the flirtatious dialogue choices to romance him.

Garrus from the Mass Effect series is a turian whose popularity led him to become a romance option for female Shepherd in Mass Effect 2. Garrus has the whole awkward soldier vibe that a few characters on this list have. He is confident and bold on the battlefield, but more than a little nervous when it comes to wooing the player. Some of his attempts at complimenting Shepherd include noting that her waist looks very supportive. That kind of says it all in terms of Garrus’s level of charisma, but it makes him all the more charming.

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The difference in species between Garrus and Shepherd also makes the romance a little more interesting. There is a lot to be said for the other male romance options in the Mass Effect series, such as Kaiden or Thane, but Garrus’s unwavering loyalty and love make him the most charming choice.

1 Alistair Theirin

Dragon Age: Origins

• Voiced by Steve Valentine
• Romanceable for human female or elven female Wardens.
• Gain approval with Alistair by being kind, compassionate, and willing to crack a joke or two (just not when he’s trying to be sincere).
• Gifts for Alistair: Alistair’s Mother’s Amulet, Black Runestone, Duncan’s Shield, Joining Chalice, Onyx Demon, Small Carved Statuette, Stone Dragon Statuette, Stone Warrior Statuette, White Runestone.

Last but not least is Alistair from the Dragon Age series, whose fate in the world of Ferelden can change significantly depending on player choice. Romancing him is an option for human and elven females. If the player chooses to romance Alistair, their love story becomes an epic tale of loss, friendship and eventually love in a world turned upside down by the Blight. Alistair and the player are tasked with building an army to fight against the darkspawn and the archdemon. As they continue their journey, their relationship can bloom into something much more. It’s all very romantic, and Alistair’s charming, boyish nature only makes it more so.

As a character, Alistair is somewhat naive, but not completely blind to the world. An illegitimate son of the previous King of Ferelden, Alistair was raised in the Chantry and was studying to become a Templar before becoming a Grey Warden. He is pretty hapless with romance, often making jokes to hide his nervousness. This can make for some cute banter, should the player choose to go along with his awkward humor.

Alistair is sweet and charming, but also fiercely loyal and willing to fight for those he loves. There are multiple routes that the romance can take, with one even ending with Alistair as king and the player as his queen consort. No matter what the player chooses to do, he always maintains a heartfelt, loving nature towards them. This can carry over into the other games too, depending on the choices made. There are situations where Alistair can crop up in DA 2 and Inquisition, and if he is romanced, he will reference the Warden as the love of his life.

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By  Will Buckley