Typically, an RPG will have a romantic relationship of some kind. They started off simply, but soon grew to have two characters share deep connections with each other as technically grew and matured on consoles. Since video games were rebooted on the NES in 1985, there have been about forty years of romances in video games, including RPGs.
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Of the many, many titles out there, what two characters have the best bonds in their games? These will be ranked based on the longevity of the romances shown in the games, along with how much affection is shown. Do these characters simply share some words and a kiss, or do they go to the ends of the world for each other?
There will be spoilers.
Valvatorez & Artina
From Blood To Sardines
Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten
- Released
- February 24, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T // Animated Blood, Drug Reference, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Strategy
Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten stars an Overlord, Valvatorez, who is a vampire that refuses to drink blood. Long ago, he promised a girl named Artina that he would eat sardines instead of drinking blood to prove he was a good person, but on his quest, she unfortunately died.
That said, he kept his promise and continued eating sardines, and during the game’s campaign, he met a greedy angel named Vulcanus who looked a lot like Artina. Turns out, it actually is her, and the two reconcile because, as the title suggests, a promise was never forgotten.
Gustave & Sophie
Kiss From A Rose
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 starts with a gut punch alongside one of the cutest romances in the game. Gustave is the starting protagonist who is getting ready to say goodbye to those who will be dying during the Gomage this year, a festival that magically kills all those of a certain age.
One of these characters is Sophie, and the two share a past. They make up during the festival, and in just half an hour’s time, players can get exactly what their backstory is and how much the two mean to each other before Sophie turns into rose petals and dies. That’s why the beginning of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is so powerful.
Ruaidhrigh & Antea
Love Never Dies
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
- Released
- February 13, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden starts with a paranormal hunter named Antea who helps people around her culture take care of unfinished business as ghosts. Unfortunately, she dies in the tutorial section, leaving her beloved Ruaidhrigh behind, who then becomes the playable character.
However, their love is so strong, Antea is permanently bonded to Ruaidhrigh as a ghost, and while this may seem romantic, it’s also a bit hard on the relationship. Sadness, guilt, anger, and more feelings come out during the campaign, but remains true is their love through thick and thin.
Bayek & Aya
Our Son WILL Be Avenged
Assassin's Creed Origins
- Released
- October 27, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
Assassin’s Creed Origins is currently the game that is furthest back in the Assassin’s Creed series, which sets up the Brotherhood, or as it’s known in the game, the Hidden Ones. Bayek, the main character, sees his child, Khemu, murdered, and alongside his wife, Aya, the two work against a mysterious masked organization to get revenge and answers.
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In their commitment to revenge, they are two peas in a pod, even though they spend much of the game apart. They depart at the end of the game, even after all they go through, but it’s not because they stop loving each other. They know the Brotherhood is more important than their love could ever be, so Bayek stays in Egypt while Aya goes to Rome. It’s sad, but the sacrificial romance is understandable.
Undyne & Alphys
A Warrior And A Scientist Walk Into A Bar…
Undertale
- Released
- September 15, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Tobacco
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Undertale is a relatively short RPG that manages to flesh out its characters more so than an RPG that lasts forty hours. Undyne is one of the boss characters players will face, while Alphys, who has Lisa Simpson vibes, is a scientist working for the same kingdom as Undyne.
Through dialogue, it’s clear the two have a thing for each other, but both are a bit bashful to admit it, leading to the fan community fleshing out their relationship. While they are not an apparent lovey-dovey couple in Undertale, the subtlety in their dialogue spells it out, which is a cute detail.
Zidane & Garnet
A Classic Romance
Final Fantasy 9
- Released
- July 7, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Zidane and Garnet are the two principal characters of Final Fantasy 9. Zidane, a rogue, is hired to kidnap Garnet, a Princess of Alexandria, while unbeknownst to him, she wants to leave too. What works with their relationship is that Zidane flirts with her, but is not abhorrently thirsty.
He tries to help her grow as a person, showing there are other sides to being royalty, and in turn, Garnet gives Zidane a way to let out his feelings. It’s a classic fantasy love story from one of the most adventurous and love-centered games in the Final Fantasy series.
Commander Shepard & Liara
The Preferred Romance By Fox News
Mass Effect
- Released
- November 20, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Mass Effect is one of the rare games that lets players customize their character, including gender. Also, through dialogue choices, they can pick their partner, and the overwhelming choice from many fans regarding Commander Shepard, for either gender, is Liara.
Liara’s people, the Asari, all have feminine features, making her attraction to a female version of Commander Shepard make more sense while still being a bit forbidden. Also, their final romance scene was flagged on Fox News in 2008 as a graphic endeavor, which is laughable to say the least now. Fox News aside, Liara is a top-tier romance option in Mass Effect.
Geralt & Yennefer
Three Games To Find Her
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
The Witcher game series follows Geralt’s quest to find his beloved Yennefer, among other missions, and at the beginning of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, there she is. At long last, players got to meet Yennefer and got to experience more of her backstory within the game universe, including an infamous tub scene.
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While longtime fans may have fallen in love with Triss in the second game, even then, it was clear Geralt was still longing for Yennifer. They are essentially a couple with an adopted daughter, Ciri. While they may not be perfect parents or people in general, their dedication to each other and Ciri is astronomical.
Sora & Kairi
Hearts Forever Broken
Kingdom Hearts
- Released
- September 17, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Kingdom Hearts, and the entire saga, is all about Sora and Kairi longing for each other, but they are always worlds apart. In the first game, Sora loses his best friend to the Darkness, Riku, while Kairi is kidnapped. When he does rescue her, Sora sacrifices his heart to become a monster, a Heartless, which eventually leads to him getting his body back and Kairi being sent home in a tearful goodbye.
Currently, their relationship is still beyond words and is complicated to get into, just like all of Kingdom Hearts, but suffice it to say, this young love is ultimately what the series is all about.
Noah & Mio
Willing To Go Evil
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
- Released
- July 29, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Language, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Noah and Mio belong to two different nations in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, so they start off as mortal enemies. When both sides find out there is a more nefarious plan at hand, they team up to bond and morph into mech-like creatures called Ouroboros. Noah and Mio start to grow on each other and are able to morph the quickest among the group, and the ultimate kicker is the time distortion in the game.
The idea of losing Mio became so terrible to Noah that he became a villain, and Mio fought alongside him. Like Kingdom Hearts, the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 story is hard to summarize neatly, but Noah and Mio’s dedication through time is what all romances should be about.
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