Romance Games With The Best Storylines

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home March 22, 2025 26 Views 24 Min Read
Romance Games With The Best Storylines



Whether it’s a sweep-you-off-your-feet fantasy or I’ll-never-feel-real-love-again sob-fest, romantic storylines in games have had years to perfect their craft, and have given us some of the best tales of love to have ever appeared on-screen.

Ellie and Dina share a kiss in The Last of Us: Part 2, Lollypop Chainsaw

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Some games, however, convey the way of the heart better than others, giving players the chance to make their own heart-rendering choices and play through all the moments of a budding relationship, whether they be beautiful, rocky, or downright horrifying. For anyone looking for an epic love story, here are games well worth your time and your heart.

Updated March 22, 2025 by Jacqueline Zalace: Romance is found in a wide variety of video games, even if they aren’t necessarily focused on romance. We’ve added a few more games to this list that involve some sort of romance alongside a solid story.

19

Stardew Valley

The world’s most popular farming sim to date, Stardew Valley has drawn in players again and again for its cute art, relaxing play style, and above all else, abundant romanceable characters that you can divorce and re-marry as you please.

One of the most appealing elements for long-time players remains the vast array of romantic narratives for each of the valleys eligible ladies and gentlemen, providing some cute moments that are sure to keep you whittling away the hours on the farm.

18

Rune Factory 4

Like Stardew Valley, Rune Factory 4 is a farming sim with a fantastical bent to it. You’ll take on the role of a prince or princess (whether you like it or not!) and be thrust into a storyline flush with lore, magic, and plenty of farming tasks.

As with many farming sims, it’s possible to grow close to and get attached to the citizens of Selphia and even romance a few of them. It takes a ton of effort to do so, perhaps even multiple years of constant talking and gift-giving, but eventually, you can marry one lucky NPC and even have a child with them. Doing this even opens up some late-game areas!

17

ATRI -My Dear Moments-

Sometimes all you want is a feel-good romance, and Atri -My Dear Moments- is just the ticket. Set in a distant future where a rise in sea level threatens to put the world underwater, you play as Natsuki, a boy looking to find his grandmother’s underwater treasure to afford a new cybernetic leg to replace his old prosthetic.

With a beautiful story, expertly developed characters, and an anime art style reminiscent of a Ghibli movie, it’s a visual novel like no other. Where your in-game choices really do affect your endgame. If you’re looking for something lighthearted, sugar-sweet, and fun, you’ve found it here.

16

Boyfriend Dungeon

Boyfriend Dungeon is an action roguelike where you can actually date your weapons. Yes, you read that right. The weapons in this game have distinct personalities and (thankfully) human forms you can get to know and develop close bonds with. The game is also noted for taking a very inclusive approach to romance.

boyfriend dungeon split image with combat next to image of sunder and valeria

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The characters are all distinct enough as weapons to make experimenting with them a compelling activity, and the writing is a standout feature of the game all on its own. This is definitely one to try out, especially if you liked the vibe of Hades, another great action roguelike with romance elements.

15

Catherine: Full Body

Catherine has been making us regret our choices since its launch all the way back in 2011, and only continues to do so in Catherine: Full Body, as Catherine, Katherine, and Rin all vie for Vincent’s romantic attentions (not that he’s guaranteed to win any of their affections by the game’s end).

This is one of my personal favorite games on the list! The story and music are great, and the puzzles can get wonderfully complex.

Not your typical romance game by any means, Catherine shows that love is never simple and people don’t always get it right. So whether you choose to stay true to your high-school sweetheart, romance the Stray Sheep’s new pianist, or get taken in by a blonde bombshell, get ready for a romantic adventure unlike any other.

14

Florence

Showing games can thrive in their simplicity, Florence is a beautifully told short story that showcases the highs and lows of falling in and out of love in the tale of Florence and her on/off-again boyfriend Krish.

Filled with gorgeous visuals, cute minigames, and emotional moments, Florence gives us a snapshot of romance at its most tender and most vulnerable, showing us love isn’t always kind but is always worth having.

13

Life Is Strange

Although not primarily sold as a romance, all the games within the Life Is Strange franchise have emphasized choices matter in their gameplay, allowing you to pursue romantic relationships with a choice of characters regardless of gender.

I was late to the party and played Life Is Strange nearly ten years after it launched. Still, it proved to be a wildly emotional experience filled with amazing story and a shockingly interactive world.

It goes without saying that Life Is Strange has one of the best storylines of all time, seeing fit to have you make some of the most heartbreaking and brutal choices in gaming and leaving a lasting impression on players whether it be their first or fifth playthrough. Damn you, Arcadia Bay.

12

To The Moon

Following the story of the soon-to-die Johnny Wyles and the two scientists tasked with going through his memories and fulfilling his dying wish, you know that To The Moon is going to be anything but a happy-go-lucky experience.

Told through an adventure-style game within Johnny’s head, we go back through the memories of Johnny meeting the love of his life and future wife, and just what went wrong in the process. Piecing together the story of their romance and riding the highs and the lows of their relationship together, it’s easy to see why To The Moon has seen rave reviews for its storytelling and handling of difficult concepts, and is not to be missed for the true romantics.

11

Hatoful Boyfriend

Yes, this is the “pigeon visual novel.” What started as a joke eventually turned into a memetic, yet still quality piece of video game history. Hatoful Boyfriend takes the tropes and clichés of VN dating sims and turns them on their feathery heads.

A background image from Ebon Light showing a ship, with a circle PNG showing Virgil from Cupid's Kiss.

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With any other art style, this game would be a run-of-the-mill “good game” thanks to its fun characters and surprisingly dark, serious storyline. But since it has pigeons instead of people, there’s always an air of silliness to it… until you’ve played two routes, are booting up your third, and you forget for a moment that you’re romancing birds.

10

Steins;Gate

One of the best visual novels of all time, Steins;Gate, the sequel to Chaos; Head, saw such esteemed acclaim in Japan that it soon found itself with a Western release and an award-winning anime series, and it’s not hard to see why.

As a group of college students discovers a way to alter the past through a modified microwave and a cellphone, protagonist Rintaro needs to make some important choices to determine the outcome of the plot. Another game built around choices matter gameplay, your decisions throughout the novel will dictate its end.

9

Clannad

mixcollage-07-feb-2025-01-47-pm-7441.jpg

Released

April 28, 2004

Developer

Key

Publisher

Visual Arts, Interchannel, Prototype, Sekai Project

ESRB

T For Teen: Drug Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes, Use Of Alcohol And Tobacco

Often appearing in lists for the best romance visual novel of all time, Clannad’s lasting legacy cannot be understated. It is only helped by its incredibly unique cast of characters and a story that will have you blubbering far past the credits.

Following the story of a delinquent high-schooler, Tomoya, and his mission to help a sick girl named Nagisa reform the school’s disbanded drama club, the game has had a devastatingly lasting impression on its players. Helped by an award-winning anime series and a western physical release, I’d get a box of tissues handy for this one.

8

Doki Doki Literature Club

Although first appearing as a run-of-the-mill dating sim between the protagonist and four high-school poetry-writing club members, Doki Doki Literature Club is anything but your average romantic visual novel.

With a colorful cast of characters and a club president keen to make the player her own, Doki Doki Literature Club isn’t a game for the faint of heart. Mixing classic dating sim tropes with psychological horror, get ready for a romantic adventure literally like no other. It’s no surprise that it’s quickly become rated as one of the best visual novels of all time.

7

Amnesia Memories

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Amnesia: Memories

Released

December 19, 2013

First and foremost, Amnesia Memories is an otome visual novel. Once you begin to play though, you’ll realize it’s so much more. Many otome games focus less on the story, and more on the romance between the main character and her potential love interests. Amnesia Memories finds a sweet spot though, delivering us a beautiful and emotional story.

Without giving too much away, there are five main love interests that you can meet, each with their own ‘world’. As the name of the game implies, you have lost your memories, and are trying to get them back. Unlike other otome games, some of your choices can have grave consequences and potentially lead to your death!

6

It Takes Two

It Takes Two is a co-op game focusing on Cody and May, a married couple on the brink of divorce. Over the course of the game, you and another player will work together as Cody and May, in order to fix their relationship.

Collage with Cody and May from It Takes Two and Split Fiction key art.

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This is a romance story, both in the game and with the players. Watching Cody and May’s story come to life can be emotional and at times, rewarding. Overall, It Takes Two brings together multiple genres to create a game that is complex and beautiful at the same time.

5

Final Fantasy 10

Next up, we have Final Fantasy 10. Like many other games on our list, the core of this game isn’t necessarily romance, but it brings romance to the table, where we witness a blooming love between Tidus and Yuna.

As you get to know more about the characters, they will get to know each other more as well. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it.

4

Arise: A Simple Story

Arise: A Simple Story consists of ten chapters that you platform your way through. While there is virtually no dialog in the game, you’ll get a sense of what is going on based on statues and the overall setting. At its core though, Arise: A Simple Story is a love story.

This game left me in tears; the story is simple but effective. If you are wanting to play, bring some tissues!

Without spoiling too much, this game is sure to leave an emotional impact on you. Aside from the story, the actual level design of the game is quite clever; you’re main ability is to rewind time, which can cause objects to move in a way that lets you progress forward.

3

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate is another game on our list that isn’t quite a romance game, but it has great romantic options. While completely optional, finding a romantic partner is a great way to expand your story, as well as theirs.

Astarion on top of stacked boxes, Lae'zel with a Mage Hand, and Astarion pickpocketing Dammon in Baldur's Gate 3.

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Overall, the romance options in Baldur’s Gate 3 are all great. Each character stands for themselves and feels distinct from the others. Additionally, romance arcs such as that of Asterion and Lae’zel really help develop the character as well.

2

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is part of the expansive Fire Emblem franchise, this time bringing you to a school as a professor. This game combines the classic tactical RPG with daily school life and of course, romance.

There are a lot of romance options, with some only available in specific routes. Overall though, there are a lot of romance options; with several story routes, you are looking at a lot of possible content to play (and replay!).

1

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Lastly, we have The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This is a massively popular RPG with tons of content. As an open-world game, you can do pretty much anything you want in addition to the main story. Through the main story, you will get the chance to fall in love; either with Triss or Yennefer. Your love will stay by your side, and you can fully complete their romantic side quest.

In addition to Triss or Yennefer, you can have smaller romances with other characters such as Kiera Metz and Madame Sasha. If Triss or Yennefer aren’t for you, there are other options available, although they aren’t as deep. These side characters are also available if you are on a second or third playthrough and want to avoid romancing the two main love interests again.

Sylvia hugging Corsac in Potionomics, Kagetsu grinning at the viewer in Fire Emblem Engage, and Evelyn smiling at the camera in Cyberpunk 2077

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