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.
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PostsSome 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
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RPG Simulation Systems 9.5/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 99% Released February 26, 2016 ESRB E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco) Developer(s) ConcernedApe Publisher(s) ConcernedApe Engine ProprietaryWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThe 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
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RPG Systems Released July 19, 2012 ESRB E for Everyone Developer(s) Neverland Co. Publisher(s) XSEED Games, Marvelous Franchise Rune FactoryWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALLike 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-
CloseSometimes 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
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Indie RPG Simulation Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 75/100 Critics Rec: 58% Released August 11, 2021 ESRB T For Teen // Fantasy Violence, Sexual Themes, Language Developer(s) Kitfox Games Publisher(s) Kitfox Games Engine Unity Engine Number of Players 1WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALBoyfriend 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.
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PostsThe 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
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Puzzle Systems 4.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 83% Released April 24, 2012 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Atlus Publisher(s) Sega Engine GamebryoWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALCatherine 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
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Visual Novel Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 94% Released February 4, 2018 ESRB e Developer(s) Annapurna Interactive Publisher(s) Annapurna Interactive Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALShowing 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
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Adventure Systems 8.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 76% Released January 30, 2015 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Dontnod Entertainment Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine unreal engine 3, unreal engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAlthough 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
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Adventure 3.5/5 Released November 1, 2011 ESRB t Developer(s) Freebird Games Publisher(s) X.D. Network Engine unity Platform(s) Switch How Long To Beat 4 Hours OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand CollapseFollowing 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
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Visual Novel Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 71/100 Critics Rec: 45% Released August 14, 2011 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language Developer(s) Hato Moa, MIST[PSI]PRESS, Mediatonic Publisher(s) MIST[PSI]PRESS, FamousWriter, Devolver Digital, Epic Games Engine Unity Steam Deck Compatibility PlayableWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALYes, 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.
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PostsWith 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
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Visual Novel Systems Released October 14, 2009 ESRB Mature 17+ Developer(s) MAGES Engine game engine Platform(s) PC, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, iOS, Android, PS Vita, Xbox One How Long To Beat 26½ Hours Publishers 5pd Powered by Expand CollapseOne 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.
