Even for the most action-heavy games, having a romantic subplot is a good way to keep players invested in the well-being of support characters and even the main character. Whether it's first love, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, or even lovers to enemies, the trials and tribulations that come with romance can make for the most beautiful and iconic stories in modern gaming.
It's hard to talk about the Halo series without mentioning the relationship between Master Chief and Cortana, and the relationship between Dom and Maria is a major plot point in Gears of War 2. Whether these couples get a happily ever after or their love ends in tragedy, there are many iconic couples in several Xbox series.
10 Kaim & Sarah – Lost Odyssey
A forgotten JRPG gem from the Xbox 360 era, Lost Odyssey focuses on the journey of Kaim, an immortal man who has lost all of his memories. On his journey, he is joined by characters that have a connection to his past and whose destinies are entwined with his. One of those characters is Sarah, another immortal, who is Kaim's wife.
It is a story about loss, memories, and the burden that comes with immortality. But despite all the pain and heartache that Kaim and Sarah experienced, and even the fact that they had lost their memories of each other, the game shows that their love is also immortal.
9 Gregg & Angus – Night In The Woods
Night in the Woods focuses on Mae Borowski as she returns to her small hometown and uncovers a dark secret, but there are a lot of other characters that get some attention, depending on whom the player decides to hang out with it. Two of those characters are Gregg, Mae's best friend, and his boyfriend Angus. Gregg and Angus had a hard childhood, and each believes that the other saved them through their relationship.
They dream of leaving Possum Springs together when they save up enough money, and the return of Mae rocks their relationship, as Angus worries that Mae's influence might jeopardize their dream of moving out of town. Gregg in turn is worried that he might accidentally ruin his relationship with Angus. Despite the troubles that the two have, it is shown that they love and care about one another very deeply.
8 Gordon & Alyx – Half-Life 2
Gordon Freeman meets Alyx Vance in Half-Life 2 when she defends him from the Combine. Alyx quickly becomes a great help to Gordon, and the two develop a close relationship. Alyx and Gordon's relationship grows throughout the series, with Alyx's father Eli teasing her about it in both Half-Life 2 and Half-Like 2: Episode Two.
Alyx becomes worried about Gordon when they have to part ways, and she is affectionate with him in different ways, like flirting with and hugging him. And even though Gordon is a silent protagonist, his actions suggest that he cares deeply about Alyx as well, as he allows his life to be woven with hers through a ritual to save her life.
7 Chloe & Max/Chloe & Rachel – Life Is Strange Series
The events of Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm has put some fans at odds with each other when it comes to either shipping Chloe and Max or Chloe and Rachel, but both ships are iconic in their own right. Depending on the choices made in Life is Strange, Max's friendship with Chloe can grow stronger and romance can blossom between them as they uncover the truth behind Rachel Amber, and Max's disturbing premonitions of Arcadia Bay's destruction.
It's implied that Chloe had romantic feelings for Rachel in both games, though whether Rachel reciprocated it or not is up for debate. But Rachel was there for Chloe in her time of need and the two were close friends.
6 Geralt & Yennefer/Geralt & Triss – The Witcher Series
Geralt can romance many women in the Witcher series. Still, when it comes to who he can establish a long-term romantic relationship with, there are only two women who fit in that category: Yennefer and Triss. It's debated among fans which ship is better, but there's no denying that Geralt can have a deep and meaningful relationship with either sorceress.
Yennefer and Geralt have both good and bad history together, and while it's apparent how much they care about each other, they have a hard time trusting each other. Triss and Geralt are good friends and Triss helps him out during the first two games. She is also in a relationship with him before he recovers his memories with Yennefer.
5 John Marston & Abigail – Red Dead Redemption Series
John Marston and Abigail from the Red Dead Redemption series didn't have a perfect romance, and it ultimately ended in tragedy. Yet, it is a prime example of how some relationships can last the tides of time.
They didn't have a fairytale start to their relationship and John wasn't always the best to Abigail or their son. But in the end, he chooses them over the gang. Despite his flaws, John was a good man at heart, who loved his wife and wanted to do right by her and their son.
4 Pavarti & Junlei – The Outer Worlds
The romance between the player character and the Companions they can have in The Outer Worlds isn't possible, but romance is possible between companions and NPCs, as in the case of Pavarti and Junlei. During the quest where Pavarti can be recruited, the player introduces her Junlei Tennyson.
Selecting the right dialogue choices will lead to the two women getting along very well, and a mutual crush will develop between them. Not only is the budding romance between Pavarti and Junlei very sweet, but it also offers some needed representation for asexuality and romance.
3 Dom & Maria – Gears Of War 2
Plenty of relationships have their fair share of heartbreak, but Dom and Maria in Gears of War 2 have a love story that could rival any Shakespearean tragedy. Despite not appearing much in the series, Maria plays a key role in Dom's development and his actions throughout the game.
The tragedy of what happened to their family, and what ultimately happened to Maria, evokes the kind of emotional response that connects the player to the characters in the game.
2 Master Chief & Cortana – Halo Series
Halo is one of the most iconic game series of all time. Even those that don't play Halo have heard of the name Master Chief, and know a little about the relationship between him and Cortana. Throughout the series, Master Chief and Cortana are partners, in that she advises and assists him in infiltrating computer systems.
But their partnership seems to evolve into something more. Cortana is shown to be very fond of Master Chief, and while Master Chief is a stoic character, it's apparent that Cortana is just as important to him as he is to her. It's especially apparent during the events of Halo 4 and Halo: Infinity.
1 Commander Shepard & Liara T' Soni – Mass Effect Series
In the Mass Effect series, there are different love interests that both female and male Commander Shepard can romance. Some of these options are exclusive to the gender of Shepard picked, but Liara T'Soni can be romanced by both of them. Liara is one of the longest-lasting romances, as she can be romanced in all three games.
She and Shepard meet in the first game where Shepard rescues her at a dig site on Therum. Shepard's and Liara's relationship is considered by many to be one of the best romances in the game. Many fans even speculate (and hope) that it'll be possible to continue a romance with Liara T'Soni in the next installment of the series, as it is believed that she is the Asari shown in the trailer for Mass Effect 4.