Love is probably one of the most cliché and overused themes at this point, and is the point of focus of countlessbooks, movies, and TV shows. Still, we, as human beings, keep coming back to the idea of “perfect love” because, as possessors of a limbic system in our brain, we are hard-wired to find love or the idea thereof.
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So it’s quite understandable that gamers get to experience this theme first-hand in the games they play, and these love stories are the best in the gaming industry, some of which are without hiccups, dare I say even “perfect”, while others are the very embodiment of unrequited love.
82B and 9S
Nier: Automata
NieR: Automata
There’s nothing simple about the relationship between 2B and 9S. What starts as camaraderie between two androids on a mission to reclaim Earth from alien machines slowly unravels into something far more tragic. Beneath 2B’s stoic demeanor lies a painful secret, one that forces her to kill 9S over and over again as part of an unending cycle dictated by YoRHa’s cruel programming. And yet, despite the futility of their existence, 9S keeps finding his way back to her, filled with hope, curiosity, and an affection that goes beyond their artificial nature.
As the layers of deception peel away, their story transforms into something both devastating and deeply human. 2B’s coldness isn’t indifference, it’s a shield against heartbreak because she knows how their story always ends. 9S, on the other hand, oscillates between admiration, love, and ultimately, a consuming rage as he learns the truth. Their love story isn’t about stolen kisses or romantic gestures, but about the pain of connection, the inevitability of loss, and the fleeting moments of warmth between two souls who were never meant to be together, yet always are.
7Cody and May
It Takes Two
Most love stories in video games start with a spark, but Cody and May’s begins with a dying flame. Facing divorce, the two find themselves unwillingly bound to the bodies of tiny dolls, forced to work together to navigate a bizarre, surreal world crafted from their daughter’s imagination. What follows is less of a fairy tale romance and more of a frantic therapy session wrapped in platforming chaos.
Throughout their journey, they rediscover the strengths that made their relationship work in the first place. Cody, once feeling unappreciated, realizes the weight of May’s responsibilities, while May acknowledges the importance of Cody’s dreams. What makes Cody and May’s story resonate is its authenticity. It’s messy, frustrating, and filled with moments of doubt, just like real relationships. But by the end, their journey proves that love isn’t about grand declarations. Sometimes, it’s just about remembering why you chose each other in the first place.
6Prince and Farah
Prince of Persia Franchise
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
The Prince and Farah’s love story is one of wit, trust, and time, sometimes literally. From the moment they meet in The Sands of Time, their relationship is defined by playful banter and cautious cooperation. The Prince, brash and arrogant, finds himself matched by Farah’s sharp tongue and unshakable determination. She isn’t a mere damsel; she’s his equal, challenging him at every turn and forcing him to become more than just a selfish warrior.
What sets their love story apart is its fleeting nature. Just as they begin to truly understand each other, time itself resets, erasing everything they’ve built. The Prince is left as the only one who remembers their journey, carrying a love that was never allowed to exist. Even in later games, where time no longer acts as their enemy, their relationship remains one of longing and missed chances. It’s a love story that defies the traditional happy ending, but in its bittersweet nature, it becomes all the more unforgettable.
5Deacon and Sarah
In a world where survival is everything, love seems like a luxury. But for Deacon St. John, it’s the only thing that keeps him going. When Sarah is presumed dead after the outbreak, Deacon spends years as a drifter, clinging to the past and refusing to let go of the hope that she might still be alive. His love for her is obsessive, bordering on self-destructive, as he risks everything for the faintest chance of finding her.
When they finally reunite, their relationship isn’t the same. Sarah has changed, hardened by the horrors of the new world, and Deacon realizes that the woman he spent years searching for might not need him the way she once did. Their love story isn’t about rekindling a lost romance; it’s about accepting change, learning to move forward, and understanding that love isn’t always about staying the same.
4Ellie and Dina
The Last of Us Part 2
Love in The Last of Us universe is fleeting, as indicated by Joel and Tess’s love story, and also by Ellie and Riley’s in the Left Behind DLC for the first game. In the second game, Ellie once again gets involved with someone, and her relationship with Dina provides some of the few moments of warmth in a world filled with cruelty. Initially, their bond is filled with lighthearted flirting and stolen glances in Jackson, but as the story unfolds, their love is tested in ways neither could have predicted.
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Dina becomes Ellie’s anchor, a reminder that there’s more to life than revenge. In their quieter moments, like dancing in the snow or sharing memories of a simpler past, they find solace in each other. But love alone isn’t enough to heal deep wounds, and in the end, Ellie’s choices drive a wedge between them. Unlike many love stories in gaming, theirs isn’t about an unbreakable connection, but about how even the strongest bonds can fracture under the weight of trauma.
3Nathan and Elena
Uncharted Franchise
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Few video game couples have as much natural chemistry as Nathan Drake and Elena Fisher. Their relationship isn’t built on dramatic gestures or star-crossed destiny but on years ofadventure, sarcasm, and near-death experiences. Elena isn’t just a love interest; she’s Nathan’s conscience, constantly pulling him back when his reckless nature threatens to consume him.
Their love story evolves over the series, from their playful flirtation in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune to their marital struggles in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. Unlike many gaming romances, theirs is refreshingly realistic. They fight, they separate, but they always find their way back to each other. By the end, Nathan finally chooses a life with Elena over the thrill of treasure hunting, proving that, for him, the greatest adventure was always being with her.
2Geralt and Yennefer
Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Arguably the most tumultuous romance in any video game, Geralt and Yennefer’s relationship, bound together by a wish from a djinn, is a constant push-and-pull of passion, frustration, and fate. Yennefer is headstrong, often exasperated by Geralt’s stubbornness, while Geralt, despite his monster-slaying bravado, is utterly devoted to her in his own quiet way.
But what makes their love story so compelling is the underlying question: is it real, or just the result of the djinn’s magic? Throughout the game, their history unfolds through scattered memories, letters, and choices that allow players to influence the fate of their relationship.
But their love is also tested by old wounds, lingering resentment, and the presence of Triss Merigold, another romantic interest who offers a very different kind of relationship. Unlike Yennefer, Triss represents a less complicated, more affectionate romance, making Geralt’s decision between them one of the most defining choices in the game.
Whether players choose to reunite these two or send them on their separate paths, Geralt and Yenn’s love story is unquestionably one of gaming’s most layered and complex ones.
1Tidus and Yuna
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
Some love stories are written in the stars, while others are written in heartbreak. Tidus and Yuna’s relationship inFinal Fantasy Xbegins as a slow burn: Tidus, the cockyathletefrom another world, and Yuna, the soft-spoken summoner burdened with an impossible destiny. As they journey together, their bond grows, with Tidus bringing laughter and light onto Yuna’s otherwise solemn path.
But their love is overshadowed by an impending tragedy. Yuna is marching toward a sacrificial fate, and Tidus himself is nothing more than a fleeting dream. Their iconic moment in Macalania Springs, where they embrace under the moonlit water, perfectly captures the beauty and sorrow of their love. In the end, they don’t get their happily ever after. Instead, Tidus fades away, leaving Yuna to carry on alone, proving that sometimes, love is about cherishing the moments you have, even if they’re not meant to last.
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