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.
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 7, 2022 by Ryan Bamsey: There’s something so intrinsically compelling about a game that lets you romance one of its characters. Making it a good experience requires a great deal of tact and talent when writing the game, and these games exemplify that. We’ve added a few more of the best games where romance plays a central role.
13 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.
Although not having a set storyline, Stardew Valley is a game where you make of it what you will; whether it be saving the town’s Civic Centre, or being a Jojo Mart sell-out. However, 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 (especially when inevitably choosing the broody Dungeons & Dragons playing Sebastian for the hundredth time. Be still my heart.)
12 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!
11 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. What he doesn’t bet on finding, however, is a humanoid android named Atri.
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.
10 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 noted for taking a very inclusive approach to romance and it’s a better game for it.
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.
9 Catherine: Full Body
Catherine has been making us regret our choices since its release 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).
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 hi-school sweetheart, romance the Stray Sheep’s new pianist, or get taken in by a demonic succubus, get ready for a romantic adventure unlike any other.
8 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.
7 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.
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.
6 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.
5 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.
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.
4 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; whether it be the relationship of Rintaro and the two girls in his life Mayuri and Kurisu, or the fate of the entire world’s timeline. No pressure then.
3 Clannad
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.
2 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 (not the protagonist, the PLAYER), 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… Just don’t say we didn’t warn you on the horror part.
1 The Grisaia Trilogy
The Grisaia trilogy has more branching storylines and romantic routes than you’ll know what to do with and is only helped by a storyline that consistently sees it named the best romance visual novel ever created.
Playing as Yuuji Kazami, the only male student enrolled at the mysterious Mihama Private Academy alongside five other girls, you soon realize that due to the girl’s mysterious reasons for enrollment, you may be their only salvation from the darkness and the only six capable of fighting back against the world. Praised for its fantastic narrative, unique and well-loved characters and swoon-worthy romance far surpassing other visual novels in the industry, The Fruits of Grisaia trilogy is a date you sure don’t want to miss.
NEXT: Best Mobile Dating/Romance Games Out Right Now
