Love and romance is not foreign to video game storytelling, but what about a deeper connection? Everyone knows the puppy love young people have or the common story about saving a princess, but some are more interested in games exploring longterm relationships.
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Married couples are few and far between in the medium, so it always sticks out when the story revolves around two people who promised themselves to each other for life. The ten married couples below all enhanced their games in some way. Inclusion on the list does not necessarily mean they are model couples or should be admired in anyway.
10 Elena Fisher And Nathan Drake - Uncharted
One of the best things about the Uncharted series is seeing Nathan Drake and Elena Fischer's relationship blossom. From 2007's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune to 2016's Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, we see them go from somewhat unwilling allies to a married duo living a normal American life. The fourth numbered game truly puts their bond to the test, with Nathan Drake going behind her back to help out his brother.
9 Wakka And Lulu - Final Fantasy 10
In Final Fantasy 10, Wakka and Lulu are only a couple in a longterm relationship. By the time the sequel rolls around, they are married and expecting a child. Lulu has a fiery personality and Wakka is more laid back, which is somewhat unexpected from a professional athlete. She helps him a lot working through the trauma of losing his brother to Sin, which Wakka has a hard time accepting.
8 Raiden And Rose - Metal Gear Solid
Raiden and Rose are introduced in Metal Gear Solid 2. They almost breakup in that game, but it ends with Raiden proposing to Rose. In Metal Gear Solid 4 Raiden almost loses his life and has all but abandoned his family. Fortunately, they get back together during the ending. Rose only met Raiden because she was tasked with keeping tabs on him by the Patriots, but true love blossomed from this regardless.
7 Dom And Maria Santiago - Gears Of War
Dom spends two whole games looking for his wife. Nothing motivates someone more than looking for a lost loved one. Once he finds her, the reunion is tragically cut short in one of the series' most emotional moments.
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It is extremely melodramatic, but manages to pull on the heartstrings. Despite being a science fiction wartime shooter, much of the series' drama is rooted within family and personal tragedy.
6 Johnny Cage And Sony Blade - Mortal Kombat
While we actually see very little of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade's married life - They get married and divorced in the two decades between 2011's Mortal Kombat and 2015's Mortal Kombat X - their relationship adds a new dynamic to two storied characters. Despite the separation, the two clearly still care for each other. They also have a child, Cassie Cage, who is also an important character in the modern Mortal Kombat titles.
5 James And Mary - Silent Hill 2
These two are easily the worst couple on the list, but their marriage is at the center of Silent Hill 2's story and makes it one of the most unique games of the PS2 generation. James enters the titular town looking for his deceased wife, and what follows is a cerebral trip through terror exploring themes of guilt, lust, and trauma. James is a morally corrupt protagonist, making him an extremely unique lead for 2001.
4 Cid And Shera - Final Fantasy 7
Playing Final Fantasy 7 in 1997 was quite a trip once players are introduced to Cid Highwind. The character's potty mouth is often obscured by the text to ensure the T-rating.
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Much of his anger is directed towards his wife, Shera, whom he blames for ruining his dreams of space flight. Most gamers would want to slap him in the face for the way he talks to her. It's certainly not an ideal marriage, but it was unique to see on a PS1 JRPG.
3 John And Abigail Marston - Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption starts out with John Marston already married and desperately wanting his family back. Fans only see how this relationship blossomed in 2018's Red Dead Redemption 2. In the beginning of the prequel, John wants nothing to do with Abigail and even questions whether Jack is his son. By the epilogue he grows into the family man we see him as in Red Dead Redemption, all thanks to Arthur Morgan's actions.
2 Guybrush Threepwood And Elaine Marley - Monkey Island
Over the course of the LucasArts' Monkey Island series, Guybrush and Elaine go from complete strangers to husband and wife. Guybrush is a bumbling fool and Elaine is a strong, confident, and self-assured woman. Guybrush is probably thankful everyday that she loves him. They say opposites attract, and the phrase is the most evident in these two's relationship. Guybrush comes extremely close with death in Tales of Monkey Island, but his wedding ring manages to bring him back to the land of the living.
1 BJ Blazkowickz And Anya Oliwa - Wolfenstein
Wolfenstein: The New Order was one of last generation's biggest surprises. What appears as a simple throwback to classic first-person shooters ends up having a far deeper story than most of its contemporaries. By the time of the most recent spin-off, Youngblood, BJ Blazkowickz and Anya Oliwa are married and have two children, who are the game's two main characters. In answering Otacon's question from 1998's Metal Gear Solid, BJ and Anya prove that love can indeed bloom on the battlefield.
Next: 10 Video Game Couples More Romantic Than The Witcher's Geralt And Yennefer