The 6 Most Perfect Romances In Video Games, Ranked

Romance is such a ubiquitous facet of storytelling that it can often feel rote or mundane, especially in games. When so much of what happens in a choice-driven RPG is left up to the players (including which partners are open to relationships), romance can feel more like a series of checks and rewards than an organic storytelling moment. Conversely, for linear, story-driven games, a romance plot or subplot can feel forced or unearned if not properly developed.

But both styles have their advantages and ways to tell a good love story, whether that is through player actions or a set narrative. What constitutes a “great” romance will differ from player to player, no doubt, but these six stand out as some of the most narratively and emotionally satisfying pairings in gaming.

6

Jill and Clive (Final Fantasy 16)

Childhood Friends Turned Steadfast Allies

Jill Warrick is a supporting character in the excellent, action-packed Final Fantasy 16, but she is also one of the most important to the events of the game and to the protagonist, Clive. Brought to Rosaria at an early age as a political hostage, she was raised alongside Clive and his brother, Joshua, and became fast friends with the duo. Though circumstances would drive the trio apart, Clive and Jill would reunite as the dominants of Ifrit and Shiva, respectively, working toward a shared goal of liberation for the people of Valisthea.

Their shared history and long-standing respect and appreciation for one another make their relationship truly special. Jill never feels subservient to Clive, and she is a capable person on her own, with strengths, weaknesses, and growth that takes place alongside that of Clive, without ever feeling truly reliant on him and his decisions. Clive does not necessarily feel the need to protect Jill; instead, he trusts her and relies on her throughout the story.

Their continued support for each other blossoms into love, and while neither makes much effort to hide their feelings, the culmination of their relationship is a tender moment of openness and mutual respect. In many respects, this makes the events of the finale all the more tragic, leaving the ultimate fate of this pair up in the air.

5

V and Panam (Cyberpunk 2077)

The True Embodiment of “Ride or Die”

Panam Palmer is a member of the Aldecaldos nomad tribe and is introduced early on in the main story of Cyberpunk 2077. The game puts a lot on Panam’s shoulders, with many quests that tie directly into the main plot and a unique, faction-specific ending. As a free spirit, she is a bit impulsive and has a massive problem with authority. On the flip side, she’s tough, passionate, and resourceful, but she is also the embodiment of a “Ride or Die” personality, and expects the same dedication in return.

What makes the relationship between V and Panam stand out is just how much of it is built on trust and cooperation. While V can flirt with Panam early on (and Panam responds in kind), what really gets her on his side is when he sticks by and supports her. She’s going through a journey of self-discovery, and having someone to stand by her as she makes mistakes and casts out on her own means a lot to her.

In return, Panam supports V just as ferociously, assisting him with his missions and helping him stare down Arasaka and his eventual fate as the Relic slowly consumes his mind. This is perhaps no better represented than by the end of the game. If you choose to ask the Aldecaldos for help in storming Arasaka Tower, Panam is more than ready to sound the horn, bringing Saul and the other Aldecaldos into the fray with you.

While “The Star” ending is not unique to a V who is in a relationship with Panam, it works as a great send-off for both characters, and especially so if they are intimate. Outside of relationship-specific dialogue, the coupling recontextualizes the events, providing a small glimmer of hope for the future in a darker world. For V and Panam, there is certainly a possibility that V will succumb to the relic’s deteriorating effects before a cure is found, maybe even a certainty, but at least you get to spend your last days traveling with the ones you love.

4

Liara and Commander Shephard (Mass Effect 1-3)

Mutual Growth and Trust Lead to Unwavering Dedication

The Mass Effect series is BioWare’s greatest saga, and is a series of detailed and lovingly put-together games that showcase the power of role-playing in a fully-realized world. While there are many great romances in the Mass Effect games, Liara is the most complete and interesting of them all, with the romance spanning all three titles in the series, including what may ostensibly be considered a break in Mass Effect 2.

In the first game, Liara is a bit naive, relying more on Commander Shepard to guide her and work with her through her feelings. Seeing the love blossom between the two characters in this game is mostly about Liara’s growth as an independent character, finally able to make and understand choices of her own. In the second game, Shepard’s untimely demise separates the two, and Liara is forced to become a more hardened and distant character to revive and support the Commander.

The final act of the trilogy serves as the true reunion of the duo. While players could rekindle their romance with Liara in the Mass Effect 2 DLC Lair of the Shadow Broker, Mass Effect 3 returns Liara to a permanent fixture on the Normandy. Here, the pair can discuss their relationship (as well as any infidelity or breaks in between) and hash out their feelings for one another. It is ultimately a shared story of each character’s growth and journey throughout all the games, and how those stories intertwine and resolve is beautifully done. One can only wonder what role she’ll play in Mass Effect 4 and how Shepard will fit into that.

3

Triss or Yennifer and Geralt (The Witcher 3)

He Has a Thing for Sorceresses—Don’t Worry About It

Look, I understand that I’m not going to be able to completely skirt the divided camps between Yennifer romancers and Triss romancers. It is a fool’s errand to try to hedge that bet when the fandoms surrounding the books and games have long been at odds with each other and the various interpretations and impressions that each new story brings. That said, though both pathways in The Witcher 3 are equally satisfying, they rely on different interpretations of the works — past and present — to fully flourish.

The argument for a continued relationship with Yen is a simple one: this is the destined relationship set about and detailed within the books. Geralt and Yen have come together, drifted apart, fought one another, made love, raised a child, and more as a duo. And yet, through every trial and tribulation, they always come back together. Yen has softened a bit in the time between the point where the games deviate from the books, but she’s still a bit prickly.

She doesn’t really know how to be any other way, and Geralt accepts that, even if it’s not always appreciated. There’s a shared history and love that can be seen between the two characters, even if the question of its authenticity hangs in the air throughout the books and games.

For Triss, the relationship is a bit more complicated. While Geralt and Triss have a mutual attraction and a magically induced fling in the books, she is by no means a great love of his. She is much more of a supporting character in every sense. But in the games, she becomes a fully-realized entity. This relationship is spread across three games, and while it starts out as a simple matter of attraction and desire, it blossoms into one built on mutual care, respect, and joy.

Ultimately, the decision of which is “best” will rest on a few factors, including player preference. But players who have read the books will also need to wrestle with the fact that the characters in the games are not 100% consistent with their written representations. How much will you deviate from that which has come before? Will you allow these relationships to change or grow, etc.—all questions longtime fans will need to consider. Regardless, both read as satisfying conclusions for Geralt and his partner.

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Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)Start

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Results

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High Score: 0
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2

Yuna and Tidus (Final Fantasy 10)

Hope and Appreciation in the Face of Certain Tragedy

At the beginning of Final Fantasy 10, Tidus can come off as a bit whiny, brash, immature, and overconfident; however, this belies his kindness and his willingness to help others in need, even when he does not know them. That’s why, when he hears of a summoner possibly in trouble in the Cloister of Trials on Besaid, he rushes headlong into a scenario he is not familiar with to do whatever he can to help them. This is how the two first meet: Tidus dashing to save the day, with Yuna coming out of her trials successful, in no need of saving.

Despite this, Yuna appreciates the gesture, and Tidus tags along to their shared destination of Luca. During their travels, the pair grow closer and spend many touching moments together. Tidus, looking to find ways to support Yuna and bring her happiness, makes promises of future travels and activities, not knowing that Yuna’s pilgrimage will ultimately mean she must sacrifice her life to bring hope to others via delivering a Calm.

Much has been made of the awkwardness of scenes like the pair faking laughter on a balcony as the party watches on, but these small moments showcase their connection and growth. These moments show their unwavering commitment to doing what’s right in the face of all the pain and hardship along the way, and their commitment to one another.

Tidus and Yuna both grow as people over the course of the game, maturing through their interactions with the people of Spira and through a closeness to one another. Perhaps this is why the ending of Final Fantasy 10 feels so tragic. While Tidus helped Yuna escape her fate as a sacrificial pawn in the schemes of Yevon, he kept it secret that sending Yu Yevon to the afterlife would also mean he would disappear from the world. Saying their final goodbyes, Yuna affirms her love for Tidus as he jumps from the airship, disappearing from view.

The story of Tidus and Yuna doesn’t technically end here in Final Fantasy 10—Final Fantasy 10-2 and the novel Final Fantasy 10-2.5 ~Eien no Daishō~ continue the journeys of the pair, separately and together. That said, Final Fantasy 10 is certainly the best constructed story out of all these titles, and one of the greatest RPGs ever made.

1

Elly and Fei (Xenogears)

A Love That Spans the Ages

Fei and Elly’s relationship in Xenogears starts as a bit more of a typical enemies-to-lovers scenario, with the latter serving as an officer of a Solaris special forces unit on the prowl for the top-secret Gear, Weltall. Her first act toward Fei is to threaten and hold him at gunpoint. While the relationship starts a bit rocky, the two ultimately grow affectionate towards one another, prompting Elly to desert her country to fight alongside Fei.

Things aren’t always perfect; however, the two lash out at each other verbally and emotionally before eventually reconciling and confessing their true feelings. Shortly after they begin their relationship in earnest, things take another turn, and things get a bit more complicated, as Xenogears is prone to doing.

Fei’s bond with Elly becomes a cosmic affair when it’s revealed that they are reborn again and again over the course of history. Fei is known as the Contact, an entity that can commune with the Wave Existence and a reincarnation of the first person able to do so, Abel. Meanwhile, Elly (or Elehayym) always reappears at his side, constantly sacrificing herself for her lover. Over a 10,000-year period, the two have reincarnated, reconvened, and ultimately separated due to tragic events, leading Fei and his prior incarnations to torture themselves emotionally over the loss.

In the end, the two’s love for one another overcomes all odds, defying gods and cosmic entities to solidify their relationship. Elly and Fei are then able to return home to their friends, assured that their love is true, and perhaps not so doomed, after all.