Unlike classic RPGs that love the good ol' blend of might and magic, modern RPGs focus just as much as relationships as it does in combat. As a result, some of the best RPGs nowadays boast interesting mechanics tied to making friends, building reputations, and even establishing bonds with player companions. In turn, romance easily becomes a must-have element in modern RPGs. Sometimes, it's a huge plus if an RPG offers ways for players to build romances with their favorite NPCs.
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Unfortunately, newcomers who want to explore more social dimensions of RPGs might have a hard time finding those worth the while. After all, romance isn't always a big element in RPGs. And even if romance is present in a game, it's not always a standout title. Still, some titles stand out above the rest for the amazing romantic moments they contain.
10 Stardew Valley (2016)
Simulation fans know that Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has dedicated quite a lot of time and effort to make a robust farm sim like that of Stardew Valley. After all, the open-ended RPG lets players manage their own farm in the way they want - craft goods, raise livestock, grow crops, fight monsters in mines, and even marry and raise children.
And while Stardew Valley has an incredibly in-depth simulation system on its own, its romance element isn't a pushover, either. As with standard dating sims, players can develop relationships with a huge cast of NPCs. However, as their relationship grows deeper with a character, players also participate in exclusive side stories related to said character. Each NPC has a unique storyline that adds depth to the colorful town of Stardew Valley, and it makes the player's stay feel more alive compared to just being inside a sim.
9 Divinity: Original Sin 2 (2017)
Folks of Larian Studios did an excellent job incorporating a complex narrative within a vast interactive world in Divinity: Original Sin 2. In the story, six characters journey across the world of Rivellon to attain Divinity while fulfilling their personal agendas. Sadly, despite forming deep bonds of friendship, they eventually have to choose between their humanity and the power to change Rivellon itself.
Fans will already love Original Sin 2 for its in-depth dialogue and storytelling. However, fans will also appreciate Original Sin 2 for slowly forming romances between characters that interact with each other. While the game only has one canon love story, the potential developments between other characters can make for memorable tales in every playthrough.
8 Record Of Agarest War (2010)
In Record Of Agarest War, adventurers have to step up as heroes to stop the reemergence of an ancient evil. Thing is, the game is split into five generations, beginning with a soldier named Leonhardt. His interactions with his female companions will end up in marriage. Thanks to the Soul Breed system, their offspring serves the protagonist of the next generation.
Interestingly, the new generation's protagonist inherits the best qualities of their parents. In subsequent games, players encounter enhanced mechanics for the Soul Breed System. For instance, Agarest 2 has Dark Love, where the protagonist is only married to the mate out of political interests, with the resulting offspring getting poor stats.
7 The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel (2015)
Fans of The Legend of Heroes will appreciate the Trails of Cold Steel for its in-depth story. The first game directly ties to the sequel, where a player's save file in Cold Steel 1 carries over to Cold Steel 2. The game takes place after Trails in the Sky, where tensions escalate between the Reformists and the aristocratic four Noble Houses.
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Players take on the role of Rean Schwarzer and his classmates of Class VII in Thors Military Academy. Their Class contains both nobility and commoners, removing class segregation among their ranks but still makes room for tensions between the classmates. In terms of combat, the relationships inside Class VII directly tie into the bonuses they gain on the battlefield. However, Rean also has the option to romance one of his many classmates - directly affecting the outcome of the game.
6 Star Ocean: The Second Story (2000)
While originally released in 2000, Star Ocean: The Second Story has aged quite well. In The Second Story, Ensign Claude Kenni of the Earth Federation finds himself stranded in the medieval planet of Expel, where Rena Lanford mistakes him for the Hero of Light.
Being a Star Ocean title, The Second Story breaks off traditional RPG mechanics with new systems. However, where it shines is its Private Actions system, where players can influence the way party members see each other.
In a Private Action, the party splits up in a town to do their "own thing" - visit family or friends, or even shop and relax. Players can then converse with these allies to see if they can like or dislike other characters. This affects two things - firstly, characters who like each other will get bonuses in combat. Secondly, players can get up to 87 endings depending on how each character's relationship with one another plays out.
5 Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014)
Video game romances wouldn't be complete without a BioWare entry. Thankfully, Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014) easily fulfills any player's wish for meaningful romances in games. In this third Dragon Age entry, players take on the role of the Inquisitor on a mission to quell the civil unrest in Thedas. However, the Inquisitor soon gets embroidered in a plot to close the Breach, a tear in the sky that let demons through the world.
Aside from its fast-paced action combat, players of Inquisition will appreciate a renewed focus in interaction. For the most part, players can recruit various NPCs into the Inquisition. Moreover, these interactions eventually lead to important decisions throughout Thedas. Additionally, the Inquisitor can have up to nine companions, eight of which can be romanced while tackling their deep backstories.
4 Mass Effect 2 (2010)
BioWare's Mass Effect 2 effectively asks the question - who says alien action games don't have the room for romance? In this Mass Effect sequel, Commander Shepard has to gain the loyalty of a ragtag team of adventurers in a suicide mission to stop the Collectors from a full-scale invasion. As expected of an action RPG, Mass Effect 2 never misses in terms of fast-paced combat and in-depth character customization.
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However, where Mass Effect 2 truly shines is its morality and dialogue system. In what will become a BioWare signature, Mass Effect 2 provides players with numerous dialogue options via its radial menu. These, combined with a unique "interrupt" system, can slowly influence the way NPCs see Shepard. Dialogue can influence mission rewards, discounts, overall morality, and even potential romances. With each companion having a unique and deep story, players will easily find it difficult to decide on the get-go as to who their ideal love interest would become.
3 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
Albeit a direct sequel to The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings, CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt takes players on a completely different journey to save the world with the famed Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. Fans already admire Wild Hunt for its incredibly fast-paced and complex combat mechanics. However, where Wild Hunt shines is its in-depth dialogue and meaningful romantic options.
Albeit Geralt has deep pasts with Triss Merigold and Yennefer of Vengerberg, the Witcher can romance seven other ladies of various backgrounds and origins. Moreover, fans would love that none of these stories are pushovers, either. Even if players decide to fancy anyone else aside from Triss and Yennefer, they'd find their love stories with Geralt both wonderfully normal and fitting Geralt's hidden desire of a normal life.
2 Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows Of Amn (2000)
Ironically enough, Baldur's Gate 2 isn't just one of the most-celebrated RPGs for its combat and character customization. Rather, this 2000 game has a robust narrative befitting its Forgotten Realms setting and a surprisingly deep romance system. At its core, BG2 takes place after BG1, where the hero and their companions have to break out of a prison complex to save the world yet again from impending doom.
Interestingly, BG2's romance isn't something out of a dating sim. Rather, like in real life, some characters will just initiate conversations with each other. Depending on the player's character, their interactions with NPCs can blossom into romance - all of which built based on the backgrounds of these NPCs. In turn, players encounter NPCs who may eventually flirt with each other, date each other, or experience unrequited love.
1 Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019)
As with other Fire Emblem titles, Fire Emblem: Three Houses incorporates strategic combat and real-time tactics with in-depth character customization. This time around, Three Houses also has unique time management and social simulation elements included. In the story, the continent of Fodlan is enjoying a period of peace between three families, connected via a monastery and an officer's school that teaches students from these three houses.
Fans of military RPGs would appreciate Three Houses for its unique blend of tactics and social relationships. The protagonist, a teacher at Garreg Mach Monastery, will build relationships with their students. Based on their actions, players can recruit more students and even marry a romantic interest after a time skip in the story.