Is love in real life letting you down? Did Valentine’s Day pass without your significant other making a special effort? Are you searching for something to fill that Romance-void in your heart? Fret not, Reboot Reload has put together a list of games where you can live out your heart’s desire. Game romances… here we come.

1. Triss from Witcher 3

In Witcher 3, while there are numerous women you can bed, there are two main love interests: Triss and Yennefer. Both women are very beautiful and are clearly devoted to your character, Geralt.

As you progress in the game, it feels like you’re being guided towards romancing Yennefer. While acting as a mother figure to your surrogate daughter Ciri, Yennefer can, however, be quite cold and manipulative.  When things are not chilly between you and Yennefer they’re piping hot. While there is obviously a high degree of passion between you and Yennefer, passion alone is not sufficient to sustain a relationship.

It is for this reason that you should direct your energies towards romancing Triss. This genuine, warm and loving sorceress is sure you make you happy. Woo Triss and your relationship will be based on friendship, love and a level of compassion that is unmatched. Definitely wife material.

Image Source: YouTube

2. Liara from Mass Effect 3

We’re all bursting with anticipation for Mass Effect: Andromeda, but sadly it won’t be out until next month. While we wait, we should all go back and play Mass Effect 3, if only because the romance is top notch.

Throughout the game, there are multiple characters you can form a relationship with, but our pick for the romance with the most depth is Liara. Whether you’re playing as male or female Commander Shepard, say the right things and you’ll build a deep connection with Liara.

Liara has been a companion to Commander Shepard throughout the series so if you’ve been playing the entire series, you’ll already have an affinity towards her. It’s not just the longevity of the relationship that makes the interactions with Liara special, however. The writers and voice actors have done a brilliant job of building intimacy between Shepard and Liara, which is genuinely touching. Without giving away spoilers, there is a heartfelt scene where Liara is writing a record of the galaxy and includes an touching entry on Shepard. Keep an eye out for it.

Image Source: Mass Effect Wiki

3. Morrigan from Dragon Age: Origins

Like most of Bioware’s other games, Dragon Age: Origins lets you romance your companions. All four of the romanceable companions are pretty cool in their own right, but totally and completely objectively speaking, Morrigan has the best romance.

(Okay, taste is subjective. But seriously, Morrigan.)

When you first encounter her in the Korcari Wilds, Morrigan is kind of dismissive and cool towards the Grey Warden and Alistair. Her bored, sarcastic front eventually warms however, and you get glimpses of her more flirtatious and even sweet sides. There’s just something about the difference between her prickly outer shell and her more vulnerable moments that really draws you to her. It probably helps that her personal storyline is so tied to the events of the game itself so you get to spend lots of time with her. Spoilers ahead, but it’s really disappointing that we don’t get to see Morrigan and the Warden getting to be a family with Kieran.

Also, her reappearance in Dragon Age: Inquisition with an updated wardrobe may or may not make you fall in love with her all over again. Even if you can’t romance her

Image Source: Dragon Age Wiki

4. Harvey from Stardew Valley

Mechanically speaking, there is no difference between the many romanceable characters. Who you choose to romance is entirely dependent on your own personal taste. That being said, Harvey’s romance storyline is too cute to pass on. He’s genuinely caring and sweet to everybody in the valley, doing his best as a doctor to help them. He also has a beautiful character moment in his final heart event. Nothing is more fulfilling than character development!

Image Source: Stardew Valley Wiki

5. Viconia from Baldur’s Gate 2

Warning: Spoilers in this section

What can change the nature of a drow? Why, true love of course. When you first meet Viconia, she is a bitter, evil woman. It doesn’t help that society tramples upon her kind and spits at her. She also has the most difficult romance path out of all the characters. Initially, you have to project your strong and masculine side to get her to like you. You’ll also have to be pretty ruthless and harsh to appeal to Viconia.

However, after journeying with you for a while, Viconia starts to open up and trust you. Her embittered personality gives way to a gentler, caring side. Eventually, her alignment shifts away from Evil and she becomes a force for good, even joining the likes of Drizzt Do’Urden in one of his heroics. She bears a child with you in the end, but never has the opportunity to see him grow into an adult as she is poisoned by a servant of Lolth. A truly tragic end to such a moving romance.

Image Source: In-game screenshot

6. Garnet from Final Fantasy IX

When you want to look for a subtle, innocent, and beautiful romance, you don’t have to look further than Zidane and Garnet’s in Final Fantasy IX.

Zidane and Garnet start off as friends and their relationship evolves into something deeper. In the beginning, Garnet thinks that Zidane is just a ladies man (he is). He’s only interested in Garnet because she’s pretty. He flirts with her because he finds her cute. Garnet, however, realises that Zidane is a lot deeper than he lets on. He proves himself to be a kind-hearted, sincere young man who will do anything for his friends.

Through their journey, the two find out more about each other and go through a lot together. Zidane is always there for Garnet… until she takes the throne. His distance is not because he doesn’t care for her – he cares too much for her to the point that he feels that a lowly rogue like him is not fit for the Queen. Eventually, the two are reunited when Alexandria comes under attack, and Garnet finds that she can count on Zidane. Their feelings for each other finally reach romantic levels when they realise how much they love each other.

Image Source: In-game screenshot

7. Cullen from Dragon Age: Inquisition

In Dragon Age Inquisition, there are numerous characters you can court (see what we did there?). Don’t get your hopes too high however, as your options are not only limited by your gender, but also your race. Our pick for the character you can build the deepest romance with is Cullen. Sadly this option is only available to human and elven female Inquisitors.

With dreamy good looks that are sure to make women swoon, Cullen is an over-the-top romantic. Your relationship with Cullen will start off slowly, but will reward you for the time you put into it.

With lines that are guaranteed to make you blush, Cullen is undeniably sweet. And that’s to say nothing of his adorable facial expressions. On your first playthrough, you will fall so deeply in love with Cullen that you’ll replay the game – just so you make the same choices all over again!

Image Source: Dragon Age Wiki

8. Piper AND Cait from Fallout 4

In Fallout 4 polyamory is accepted. This is a fancy way of saying that your relationships in the game don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Unlike many other titles, Fallout 4’s game design doesn’t restrict you from forming relationships with more than one character.

With that in mind, here are the two relationships we feel are most worth pursuing:

Piper

Piper cares deeply about honesty and this forms the basis of your relationship. She’s brave and throws herself into dangerous situations for what she believes is right. This is actually great for you, because you like being the hero. Together you’ll be a positive force to be reckoned with.

Cait

This feisty lass keeps you on your toes. She’s fierce and you always know where you stand. While it can be unfortunate to be on the receiving end sometimes, you’ll absolutely love how tough Cait is. As everyone knows, the most important element to a long relationship in a post-apocalyptic world is that your mate actually survives.

Source for Images: Fallout Gamepedia, Fallout Wiki

9. Princess Peach from Super Mario

Almost every single Mario game ever produced involves Mario going to borderline-suicidal lengths to rescue his girlfriend. He faces lava pits, reanimated skeletons, man-eating plants, fire breathing enemies, unstable structures and ghosts to rescue Princess Peach.

As far as we know, the only reward he ever receives is a kiss on the nose and a homemade cake. We can therefore be sure that Mario’s intentions are noble. What a guy!

Image Source: In-game screenshot

Bonus: The Sims

Are you looking for more than just love? Are you yearning for children? Live out your fantasy in any of The Sims series.

Direct your romantic energies towards a Sim of a similar age group. Play your cards right and “WooHoo”, you’ll soon have a bundle of joy (or several bundles of joy) which you can shower with love.

Image Source: Sims Wiki

What are your favourites?

That’s all for this list folks. Are there other romances in games that really touched you? Tell us about it in the comments!

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