Romance in games?

[Moeboid]

Do you like the idea of games allowing your character to become romantically involved with other (non-playable) characters?

Personally, I think that romance is something that's just too hard to get right. Too much effort for something that's usually isn't critical to a game's success. Having said that, I just finished Mass Effect 2 and am now totally in love with Tali after pursuing a relationship with her. Was hesitant at first. I really thought it would be lame as hell. Now that I've done it, I can say that it certainly wasn't done perfectly, but I did find myself more attached to the game afterwards.

And I did really like the Ahnassi quests in Morrowind - of course, that's a very non-intimate relationship so I'm not sure if that should count. Never pursued a relationship in Skyrim so can't comment there. I'm voting no.

[MARS]

I think it shouldn't be a such a big deal. Don't make it a selling point. One game does it and suddenly the whole industry scrambles to punch it into their games as well. That ain't good.

[Generalno1]

Depends on the game.
Games like bio ware RPGs make sense considering the amount of influence your companions have on your story.

Non-Rpg romances that involve a few cut scenes or are scripted into the story itself (like Ezio's old girlfriend) are alright.
Others usually detract from the game itself.

[skullclutter]

What I don't like is that it seems to be obligatory for everything to have a romance subplot in it these days. That's part of what I like about Oblivion and Skyrim - in Oblivion there was no romance which was a refreshing change, and in Skyrim it's optional. I'm not forced to put up with an annoying obligatory romantic interest with no other plot relevance.

[DikaSmausha]

I like it in some games. I almost feel it was needed in Skyrim, but in a game like Mass Effect, I felt it was a crucial part to the story if you engaged in it.

[Br3admax]

Depends on the game.
Games like bio ware RPGs make sense considering the amount of influence your companions have on your story.

DAI-II, KotORI-II(the dark side is bad) especially.

Some games just need romance to make sense. Some parts of the above I mentioned barely make sense unless romance was involved. Romances usually are what let the hero complete the entire growing experience. Would Cole still want to save the city if not for Trish? Is Peter Parker going to become a superhero if not to at first impress Mary Jane? Maybe, but the romance is what really drives them.

[Frost Mage]

It's great to have in there, but like Mars said, as long as it isn't a main selling point.

[Br3admax]

You travel around for a year or more with the same people, and you don't get tang from the group at least once? That's just unrealistic. No we shouldn't just date around, but it is only natural sometimes.

[Kerr]

When it suits, yes. When it doesn't, no. Just like it is in any other medium. Also, as if I need to say, you should do it well. It would be a shame if love and sex weren't in any video games. It is a pretty important part of the human experience and I couldn't imagine an entire medium never tackling the issue.

[Fiar]

I'm fine with it, but have never tangoed with it. Mostly due to the fact that I find the characters to be generally bland, hence no connection for me to give a damn about them.

Though, I think even if this wasn't the case...I probably wouldn't partake, since I usually just want to have epic adventures, and not come back to the Mrs nagging at me, lol.

[born2beagator]

I like it in RPGs. Deeper connection to the characters. i especially liked it in the Mass Effect series

[Believe]

Fable does in-game romance perfectly.

Hidden:

/mod-trolling

I've always seen it as a gimmick in games. Something to do when you get a little bored of missions/quests. It's never been on my "I plan to do this, then this, then this" in any games.

[ZackyZombify]

I actually love Fable's romance. Except the chance for a baby that's neither your character's or partner's ethnicity.

[Frost Mage]

Never played those games, are you talking about pre-Fable 3?

[ZackyZombify]

Actually I think 3 was the only one with that "problem". Don't remember with 2.

But forced romances are never good. Especially when it's at the beginning of the game, because you know something is gonna happen to them.

[Generalno1]

Two was ok, but was still wierd.

my saintly archer shows up in blood stone, and assorted men and women already want to marry him.

[the Savage Hippie]

May Payne 2 wouldn't be the same without Mona Sax as the femme fatale.

[Generalno1]

One game that handled it well but not taking away from the story was Alyx.
There was a thing, but they didn't spend much time with it. There was a doctrined city to save.

[Avron the S'wit]

What I don't like is that it seems to be obligatory for everything to have a romance subplot in it these days. That's part of what I like about Oblivion and Skyrim - in Oblivion there was no romance which was a refreshing change, and in Skyrim it's optional. I'm not forced to put up with an annoying obligatory romantic interest with no other plot relevance.

I agree with this. I mean, it's fine to put romance in the story if there's a reason for it, but forcing it upon us in every title seems like a bit of a stretch. I can understand wanting to put relationships in games, because, realistically, relationships are a part of life and sometimes they crop up when you aren't exactly looking for them. But really, in the middle of some great war or whatever? No thanks, man - I'm too busy trying to be a hero! Get out of my way!

That's actually my biggest thing in Skyrim right now. I want to explore the possibility for marriage and a family, but when do I realistically have time for it? I'm out there saving the day, going around saying, "Stand back, Dragonborn coming through!" Seems a bit strange to ignore all of my responsibilities just to scope out who I'm going to play house with. And I'd be a horrible husband, anyway, with always being gone and saving the world and all.

But, when I start to slow down, it's there if I want it. And that's what I like.

[Br3admax]

May Payne 2 wouldn't be the same without Mona Sax as the femme fatale.

This. A whole lot of this.

[Alarra]

That's actually my biggest thing in Skyrim right now. I want to explore the possibility for marriage and a family, but when do I realistically have time for it? I'm out there saving the day, going around saying, "Stand back, Dragonborn coming through!" Seems a bit strange to ignore all of my responsibilities just to scope out who I'm going to play house with. And I'd be a horrible husband, anyway, with always being gone and saving the world and all.

This is why I chose Farkas. He's one of the people that my character "knew" best, because he's along for quite a bit of the Companions questline. They spent their honeymoon traveling around Skyrim for quite some time. Apart from a case like that, though, it's difficult to picture a relationship forming.

Overall, I basically feel the same way - I like having it as an option, but I don't know how I'd feel about it being a major part of the story.

[skullclutter]

I agree with this. I mean, it's fine to put romance in the story if there's a reason for it, but forcing it upon us in every title seems like a bit of a stretch. I can understand wanting to put relationships in games, because, realistically, relationships are a part of life and sometimes they crop up when you aren't exactly looking for them. But really, in the middle of some great war or whatever? No thanks, man - I'm too busy trying to be a hero! Get out of my way!

That's pretty much what I'm trying to get at - It's nice to have when it's realistic but when it's absolutely everywhere it gets tiring. Let's face it, sometimes the hero has more important things to do than trying to find out if his crush likes him.

[Br3admax]

I think Shepard explained it best during Mass Effect 3. End of the world is the perfect time.

[He-Who-Likes-Pies]

It's alright for me as long as it's optional or very integral to character development.

[philfredobob]

well, Romance has been an essential part of storytelling since the invention of Drama, so why shouldn't it be found in games ?

however, i must admit that i do find it quite irritating when they are forced on you in games that shouldnt have it. i also dont enjoy it in RPGs, i really hated the romances storylines of Mass Effect and Dragon Age.


however, my favourite story has Romance as an integral part of it, and it is a story told in a video game.