8 of the greatest couples in video games

Nadine Pacis

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

8 of the greatest couples in video games
Here's a list of 8 lovable couples whose lives may or may not have had a happily ever after

In the past, romance has never really been the focal point in many video games. Most video games focus on the action, adventure, and suspense. But every once in awhile there comes a video game that turns the spotlight on love and makes every gamer’s heart grow envious of the characters’ colorful lovelives. Here are eight couples that had quite an impactful romance in video games.

[Editor’s Note: Beware! Spoilers abound.]

 

Final Fantasy VIII. Squall and Rinoa from the dance scene. Screen shot from YouTube capture of dance.

Squall and Rinoa – Final Fantasy VIII

Final Fantasy is also known for their popular romantic couples (and love triangles as well, but that’s another story), with many fans creating fanfiction, and fanart based on the love interests formed in the game. In Final Fantasy VIII love becomes the focal point of the game, where optimistic and loving Rinoa tries to melt iceblock Squall’s heart with love, and ultimately succeeds.

The fandom is (still) divided on whether or not their romance made sense in the game. Some say that the romance grew in more subtle ways with Squall showing small hints of warming up to Rinoa through the small changes in his actions. Others question his sudden turnaround at the Ragnarok, claiming there wasn’t enough build up.

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with how the romance was written, Final Fantasy VIII shows its fans that you’re going to need warmth, compassion, patience and sometimes tough love, to change a life.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY. Nathan and Elena sharing a tender moment.

Nathan and Elena – Uncharted series

It wasn’t exactly “love at first sight” for Uncharted’s adventurous duo. Daring TV host Elena funds Nathan’s expedition in exchange for following him around to help write her story. The two do not exactly get along immediately, as one is more focused in finding a 500 pound golden statue, and the other is just trying to tell a good story through her camera. However, the chemistry does build up and by the end of the first Uncharted game, we see the two almost kissing after a tiring adventure.

It’s not exactly smooth sailing after that though. In the second game we find out that Elena has become an investigative journalist and runs into Nathan who has another love interest by his side, Chloe. This creates some unwanted tension. However Chloe realizes where Nathan’s heart truly lies near the end of Uncharted 2, and Nathan makes the right choice. By the end of it all, Elena proves to be the better half of Nathan by influencing him to become a better man and leave his selfish adventures behind.

THE UNORTHODOX RELATIONSHIP. Master Chief and Cortana from the Halo Series.

Master Chief and Cortana – Halo series

It’s practically impossible that these two can be romantic towards each other. One is a superhuman while the other is a super AI.

As the story of Halo progresses though, it becomes clear to many gamers that the two have grown to care for each more than what’s expected of the typical relationship between man and his technology. After all, these two make a tight knit dynamic duo, beating the Covenant, the Flood, and any other alien being that threatens the human race.

The “romantic” tension all culminates in one of the final scenes of Halo 4. Cortana musters up her remaining energy to morph herself into a human sized AI to speak to and touch Master Chief up close before she “dies.” Master Chief, who was at first unable to accept the truth, mourns her death silently afterwards.

To make things worse, in Halo 5, hope may be forever lost for this odd couple.

In the latest chapter of the series, Cortana finds a way to live on but she ultimately loses her old self and betrays the Master Chief. We’re all just going to have to wait ‘til Halo 6 to see if their love story can continue.

LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS. Solas and the Inquisitor. Image from Youtube video by FluffyNinjaLlama

The Inquisitor and Solas – Dragon Age: Inquisition

We could safely say that Bioware is incredible at writing romances for video games. For one of the best examples, look no further than in its latest Dragon Age title, Dragon Age: Inquisition. There are several romantic candidates you can pick and choose from the Inquisition. You may even choose to love your advisors. But perhaps the greatest and most tragic of all love stories in this game is between the one between the Inquisitor and Solas.

Solas is a knowledgeable elven mage who happens to be at the right place at the right time most of the time. You may only pursue a romantic relationship with him if you are a female elf as well.

The story you two embark on is one that is heartfelt and will truly leave your heart broken for the two. Solas harbors a dark secret, which is only partially revealed at the end of the game. Once you’ve conquered all your enemies, he mysteriously vanishes, and even your spymaster could not find him.

He returns in the Inquistion’s final DLC, Trespasser, where he reveals the truth about his identity. At the end, all the pieces fall together and your Inquisitor realizes that love may not be able to beat the odds this time. The betrayal leaves your Inquisitor in shock, nonetheless she is still determined to fix the problem that Solas brought upon to her world.

FIRST LOVE, LAST LOVE? Eliie and Riley are a tragic pair.

Ellie and Riley – The Last of Us: Left Behind

When you’re living in the post-apocalyptic world, uncertain about whether or not you will live to see another day, the usual puppy love between two teenagers becomes a serious topic. Such is the case between best friends Ellie and Riley of The Last of Us: Left Behind. Despite their youth and their seemingly immature ways, the two already know the value of having someone to love and care for in a world where danger is always imminent.

Midway through the game Ellie reveals her feelings for Riley with a kiss from nowhere. She apologizes for it but Riley takes it in stride. While it was never said or labeled outright in the game, it becomes obvious that the two had a deeper love for each other and that they value each other more than anything or anyone else.

When their dangerous adventure in a mall predictably turns southward, the two are bitten by the infected. While the usual solution would just be to kill each other, Riley proposes that they do not commit suicide. Instead they spend time with each other as much as they possibly can until they turn. Ellie agrees and as we all know by now only Riley turned. Ellie is left alive with a serious case of survivor’s guilt.

 KINGDOM OF HEARTS. Sora and Kairi from Kingdom Hearts.

Sora and Kairi – Kingdom Hearts

Perhaps the most adorable couple in this list, Sora and Kairi of the Kingdom Hearts series could also be considered the most believable. The two start off with being just friends but their adventures and challenges bring them closer. While there was never any confirmation on their actual relationship, it’s clear and obvious that they would do anything for each other.

Each trial deepens their relationship, bringing them one step closer to each other. Sora sacrificed his own life to bring Kairi’s heart back to her. And when Sora turned into a Heartless after his sacrifice, Kairi saved him and brought him back from the darkness. When Sora had to leave to keep Kairi safe she gave him her lucky charm and he promised her that they will always find each other in the end.

Their strong dedication for each other has fans wanting, wishing, and waiting for something more to take place. Only time, rather, only the release of Kingdom Hearts 3 will tell if their next challenge will ultimately compel the two to advance their relationship.

 A FULL LIFE FOR TWO. Alyx Vance and Gordon Freeman.

Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance – Half-Life 2

Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance have gone through so much together. We could say that the two owe each other their lives. Both of them have saved each other from different situations. In fact Alyx has fought alongside Gordon more than any other character in Half-Life 2.

Despite Gordon being a silent protagonist, Alyx’s personality and realistic charm (and sometimes awkwardness) brings color and life to what could have been a very dull relationship between the main hero and the ally. It is in her way of interacting with Gordon that the player can pick up hints on the depth of their connection. All throughout the game it is clear that Alyx cares deeply for Gordon, and in fact other characters in the game tease her about their close companionship.

But as with some of the couples on our list, there was never really any solid confirmation of a romantic relationship between the two. In fact since Half-Life 2 is only told through a silent protagonist’s first person perspective, it is difficult to determine if Gordon also loves Alyx as much as she loves him. However, there is no argument that the bond between the two is incredibly strong, with a foundation that’s been building up since the beginning of Half-Life 2.

Mario and Princess Peach – Super Mario Bros.

We cannot make a list of some of the greatest videogame couples and not talk about the one the probably started it all: Mario and Princess Peach. We all know the story. “Average Joe” plumber Mario goes on a long quest to find and save Princess Peach from the evil clutches of oversized turtle, Bowser. After finally warping to World 8 and taking down Bowser, Mario saves the Princess and they fall in love.

While their love did start with the classic “damsel-in-distress” scenario, Mario and the Princess have outgrown this cliche in their next games. After Super Mario Bros, a variety of Mario games in different genres have been released, and the two are still portrayed as a couple with a few character developments. In Super Mario Bros. 2, Princess becomes a playable character and helps Mario and Luigi save the world. And while she still gets kidnapped from time to time, she balances it out by being a reliable support to Mario in his other games.

What makes these two part of the list however is that no matter what the two are up to, in any game, they have always been in love. Thirty years after her first kidnapping, whether it’s driving fast cars with odd weapons in Mario Kart, or saving the world together with Mario’s brother Luigi, nothing can tear Mario and the Princess apart.

So that’s our list of 8 video game couples for Valentine’s day. We’re sure you have your own sources of video game love that may or may not be on the list. Which other video game couples have an enviable love life? – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!