Gaming’s Greatest Love Stories | Valentines Special

Valentine’s Day is a time for celebrating love, and what better way to do that than by exploring some of the greatest love stories in video games? From post-apocalyptic adventures to fantastical role-playing games, the video game industry has given us some truly epic love stories that have touched our hearts and left a lasting impression.

The Last of Us

The relationship between Joel and Ellie is a central theme in this post-apocalyptic action-adventure game. As Joel, a hardened survivor, and Ellie, a young girl, travel across the country in search of safety, they develop a deep bond that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. One of the game’s most powerful moments is when Joel sacrifices everything to save Ellie, showing just how far he is willing to go for her. A lesser-known fact about the game is that the voice actors, Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, had such great chemistry that they were able to improvise many of their scenes together.

Bioshock Infinite

This first-person shooter game features a complex and emotionally-charged love story between the main characters, Booker and Elizabeth. As they journey through the floating city of Columbia, they come to rely on each other for survival and begin to form a deep connection. One of the game’s most memorable moments is when Elizabeth opens a tear in reality and shows Booker a glimpse of a world where they are happy together, hinting at the possibility of a brighter future. A lesser-known fact about the game is that the initial concept for Elizabeth’s character was that of a traditional damsel in distress, but the developers decided to make her a more active and capable character.

Final Fantasy VII

This role-playing game features a love story between the main character, Cloud, and one of the other playable characters, Tifa. As they work together to save the planet from the evil Shinra Corporation, their relationship blossoms. One of the game’s most iconic moments is when Cloud confesses his love for Tifa on the rooftop of their childhood home. A lesser-known fact about the game is that in the original Japanese version, Cloud’s love confession is much more ambiguous, leaving it up to the player to interpret his feelings.

Journey

This art game offers a unique and powerful love story as the player’s only connection to another player is through singing and the players’ journeys to the top of a mountain. The game’s multiplayer aspect allows players to form a bond despite the lack of verbal communication, it’s a powerful statement on the universality of human emotions. One of the game’s most moving moments is when two players finally reach the summit together, symbolizing their shared journey and connection. A lesser-known fact about the game is that the game’s composer, Austin Wintory, composed an orchestral score as a tribute to the game and its players.

Firewatch

This first-person adventure game deals with themes of love, isolation, and self-discovery through the conversation between two firewatchers, Henry and Delilah. As the player takes on the role of Henry and communicates with Delilah over the radio, their relationship deepens and becomes more complex. One of the game’s most powerful moments in Firewatch is when Henry finally sees Delilah face-to-face and they are forced to confront their feelings for each other. To ensure there was chemistry between the two characters, the game’s developers, Campo Santo, used a real-life couple, Rich Sommer and Alejandra Reynoso, as voice actors for Henry and Delilah, in order to add an extra layer of realism to the characters’ relationship.

Dragon Age: Origins

This role-playing game allows the player to form relationships with various non-playable characters, and the choices the player makes in these relationships have a significant impact on the story and the ending. One of the game’s most memorable love stories is the romance between the player character and the elven mage, Leliana. As the player helps Leliana on her personal quest, she opens up about her past and the two of them develop a deep bond. A lesser-known fact about the game is that the developers, BioWare, included a wide range of romance options for the player character, including same-sex romance options, in order to make the game more inclusive and to give players the freedom to explore their own romantic preferences.

The Walking Dead

This graphic adventure game series deals with themes of love, sacrifice, and survival in a world overrun by zombies. The player’s choices in relationships with non-playable characters have a significant impact on the story and the ending. One of the game’s most powerful love stories is the relationship between the player character, Lee, and Clementine, a young girl he takes under his protection. As they journey together, they form a deep bond and their relationship becomes a central theme in the story. A lesser-known fact about the game is that the developers, Telltale Games, used motion capture technology to capture the actors’ performances, which added an extra layer of realism to the characters’ emotions.

Mass Effect

This science fiction action role-playing game allows the player to form relationships with various non-playable characters, and the choices the player makes in these relationships have a significant impact on the story and the ending. One of the game’s most popular love stories is the romance between the player character, Commander Shepard, and the Asari Liara T’Soni. Their relationship develops over the course of the trilogy, and the player’s choices in how they interact with Liara shape the outcome of their relationship. A lesser-known fact about the game is that the developers Bioware included multiple romance options for the player character, including same-sex romance options, which added a level of diversity and inclusivity to the game.

Tales from the Borderlands

This episodic graphic adventure game tells the story of two characters, Fiona and Rhys, who are on a quest to find a vault and their stories are interwoven with romance and comedy. The player’s choices in how they interact with Fiona and Rhys shape the outcome of their relationship. The game’s unique blend of humor and heart makes for a memorable and enjoyable love story.

Oxenfree

This supernatural thriller adventure game allows the player to form relationships with various non-playable characters, and the choices the player makes in these relationships have a significant impact on the story and the ending. One of the game’s most complex and emotionally-charged love stories is the relationship between the player character and their best friend, Alex. The game’s supernatural elements add an extra layer of intrigue and mystery to their relationship. A lesser-known fact about the game is that it was developed by Night School Studio, an independent studio founded by industry veterans.

These games demonstrate that video games can be a powerful medium for exploring and experiencing love in many different ways. From post-apocalyptic survival to fantasy worlds, these games offer players the opportunity to form relationships, make choices and experience the complexity of emotions that love brings.