Summary
Unlike classic RPGs that love the good ol' blend of might and magic, modern RPGs focus just as much on relationships as they do on 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.
Unfortunately, newcomers who want to explore more social dimensions of RPGs might have a hard time finding those worthwhile. 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 beingRPGs with the best romances.
Updated on August 02, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:With the likes of Dragon’s Dogma 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and Metaphor: ReFantazio being heavy-hitters in 2024’s RPG scene, fans of the genre might be wondering what other RPGs are worth looking back to if they’re in it for decent story, stellar gameplay, and an amazing overall experience. However, those looking to get their heartstrings tugged might be interested in knowing what other RPGs have the best romances. Interestingly enough, a lot of older entries boast rather interesting romance storylines, such as the third installment of a hit sci-fi franchise, a music-themed anime RPG, and even a philosophical classic.
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Is There A Canon Romance
No
Despite its relative age given its 2015 release,Stella Glowremains a beloved title among RPG fans for the Nintendo DS looking for a more “traditional” shonen-esque story. Set in a world where the witch Hilda has begun turning people into crystals, amnesiac Alto must unite other witches in the country to sing the Anthem that will undo Hilda’s curse. In this world, witches derive their power from Qualia crystals, and Alto, a member of the Regnant Knights, is the only one who can tap into their true potential.
Being a standard-fare turn-based RPG, gameplay inStella Glowtakes place from an isometric environment. Whereas “free time” lets Alto and company explore the area to do odd jobs and bond (“tune”) with teammates, “battle time” involves turn-based combat where the witches’ powers are determined by how close to Alto they are. Different witches possess special abilities that affect the battlefield, so it’s up to players to strategically form relationships to maximize their companions’ powersets.
How Is Romance In Stella Glow
Anime fans who appreciate a more “generic” approach to anime romance will appreciateStella Glow’scharacter dynamics. Romance gameplay takes the form ofPersona-esque social score mechanics (this time called Affinity), where players can choose a specific companion to “level” up their relationship with until they get to a specific ending at the very end of the game. This special epilogue is separate from the Standard and True Endings players can pursue. Unlike other games where players need to wait with bated breath to see which character they got an ending with,Stella Glowallows players to max out the Affinity of any character of their choice and choose among them for their epilogue ending after they finish the game.
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Set in the brutal universe of theWarhammer 40Kfranchise,Warhammer 40K: Rogue Tradertakes place in the dangerous Kronus Expanse where the player, as a Rogue Trader of the Imperium of Man, must navigate the dangerous space amid a battle for inheritance — all the while the players discover a mystery locked behind their character’s origins. Throughout the game, players meet companions with whom they build relationships, and the main character must make harsh choices that maintain their alignment with the Imperium (Dogmatic), upset the status quo (Iconoclastic), or lean closer to the forces of Chaos (Heretical).
Combat is similar toPathfinder: Kingmaker, where isometric battles heavily use the d100 System from theRogue TraderTTRPG. Combat allows characters to move using Movement Points and act using Action Points, with skills at their disposal and environmental elements such as Cover and Momentum affecting their overall performance. The game also offers various Archetypes that characters can follow, allowing them to customize precise builds to fit their preferred setups.
How Is Romance In Rogue Trader
At first glance, romance inRogue Traderis similar to other CRPGs in that players need to regularly interact with their companions until “deeper dialogue” is unlocked, after which players are “tied” to that companion as their partner. As predicted, eachRogue Tradercompanion offers different ways of starting a romance with them, as well as different triggers across Chapters to deepen their relationship. What’s interesting inRogue Traderis how romance is integrated into the mechanics. For instance, certain characters will “change” the landscape of the main ship and will force players to take tests to “understand” them. Meanwhile, other characters will “challenge” the player as to who is dominant or submissive in the relationship.
1
Yes
Despite its age,Xenogearsremains an iconic piece of RPG history due to its unique story, setting, and mechanics. Set on the continent of Ignas,Xenogearsbegins amid a large-scale civil war between nations Aveh and Kislev. Various forces and factions use the war as a means to establish power in different parts of the continent, with the church-like Ethos having recently uncovered robot suits known as Gears that may very well change the course of the war. Players take on the role of amnesiac martial artist Fei Fong Wong, whose journey with Elly Van Houten will take them around the country as they gather allies that will eventually determine the continent’s fate. The game is heavily praised for its serious undertones and overall depth, especially with its religio-philosophical elements.
Another shining aspect ofXenogearsis gameplay,wherein it combines Square’s signature Active Battle Time feature with martial arts elements. While battling using a Gear will drastically change a character’s statistics and playstyle, the gameplay loop is generally the same: Players have to balance resources known as Action Points and Ether Points — the latter of which can change in name depending on the character’s power source. Unlike other games where skills have a preset cost in AP,Xenogearsmotivates players to experiment with combinations of Strong, Moderate, and Weak Attacks (as well as special Deathblows) to discover combos that would work against opponents.
How Is Romance In Xenogears
Despite the lack of other romance “options,” players considerXenogearsamong the rare games with a powerful front-and-center romance. Considering the philosophical underpinnings of its core sci-fi story, the romance between amnesiac Fei Fong Wong and pilot Elly Van Houten provides much-needed human depth to the rather complicated story of the game’s world. Contrary to the takes of similarly couple-centered stories such asFinal Fantasy 10andFinal Fantasy 8, the more world-spanning impact of Fei and Elly’s relationship gives players a glimpse into the larger-than-life impact of love in a wartorn world.
Despite later installments ofGrandiaboasting more improved mechanics and much deeper storylines, the firstGrandiais a must-play for fans of traditional fantasy adventure stories. Set in a world where technology and exploration combine, an aspiring adventurer named Justin begins a world-spanning adventure to uncover the mysteries of the Spirit Stone left by his missing father. While Justin and his friends Sue and Feena start helping towns they visit on their way to rediscovering the ancient city of Alent, their journey attracts the attention of General Baal and the Garlyle Forces, who are also interested in the city for their gain.
Combat inGrandiais a mix of real-time and turn-based combat. Characters choose actions while their icons are in an IP Bar. This allows characters to execute their moves simultaneously while also allowing players to interrupt enemy moves if they are fast enough. Interspersed between combat are regular side quests and dialogue between characters, although Justin’s interactions with his peers giveGrandiaa traditional shonen-esque storyline; a change of pace compared to more serious stories of the time.
How Is Romance In Grandia
Compared to otherGrandiatitles and other fantasy RPGs at the time,Grandiahas a straightforward love story: that of Justin and Feena. While Feena at first dismisses Justin as a wannabe adventurer, the game’s events slowly have her fall for him - leaving Justin ever the naive protagonist. However, the main strength ofGrandia’s love storylies in its execution. None of Justin and Feena’s interactions seem forced, and there’s no pointless bickering between them. They start as friends having an awesome time trying to help others, and their relationship naturally develops the more trials they overcome together.
When the monstrous Sin sweeps away Blitzball star Tidus and the mysterious man named Auron from the city of Zanarkand to the world of Spira, it’s revealed that Sin had already “destroyed” Zanarkand in the previous millennium. While coming to terms with the possibility that Sin had swept him a thousand years into the future, Tidus is introduced to Yuna, a young summoner he must accompany to acquire the Final Aeon and defeat Sin. Throughout their journey inFinal Fantasy 10, Tidus and Yuna are accompanied by Auron and other Guardians, each of them with unique skill sets and bearing witness to their budding love story.
Unlike otherFinal Fantasystories,Final Fantasy 10is mainly linear in its execution. Combat is turn-based, with players able to choose three combatants at a time. Thanks to the Sphere Grid, players can fully customize their characters with different bonuses and skills, allowing parties to work according to specific playstyles.
How Is Romance In Final Fantasy 10
While others sayFinal Fantasy 8is a more traditional romance featuring Squall and Rinoa,Final Fantasy 10raises the bar with a love storythat flows alongside its main storyline and overall worldbuilding. Tidus begins as a mere Guardian to Yuna, with his worldview constantly butting heads with hers - the desire for freedom clashing with a commitment to an obligation. This philosophical debate extends not just between the two of them, but across the world and the people they encounter. What results from these interactions is a living and breathing world that will make players wonder whether Yuna’s actions made sense, if Tidus should’ve done something differently, and what players would’ve done in their place.
The story ofPersona 3begins in 2009, shortly after the Protagonist transfers to Gekkoukan High School a decade after their parents’ deaths. Before they start school, they encounter a boy named Pharos, who makes them sign a contract. One thing leads to another, and the Protagonist joins the Special Extracurricular Execution Squad, a seemingly-normal after-school club that actually hunts Shadows during the Dark Hour in Tartaros. Those affected by the Shadows suffer Apathy Syndrome, making them lose the will to live.
Technically a spinoff of theShinMegami Tenseifranchise,Persona 3takes cues from its parent franchise with its featuring of Personas - manifestations of a person’s inner will. The Protagonist and other SEES members use Personas to fight Shadows in Tartaros, engaging them in turn-based combat in randomized dungeons while collecting, leveling up, and combining Personas in between.
How Is Romance In Persona 3
In truePersonafashion, more emphasis is put onsocial interactions throughoutPersona 3’sgameplay. Protagonists who develop enough Social Links with SEES operatives can engage in relationships with them. However, the Protagonist follows a more heterosexual approach in romance choices (7 female-identifying options for the Male MC, and 6 male-identifying options for the Female MC). Specific to theReloadremake is the Male MC, locked as the sole protagonist, this time featuring time-locked relationships that can become either romantic or platonic. Based on the strength of Social Links, team members can get special abilities such as follow-up attacks, or the ability to survive fatal blows.
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In the world ofPathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, players take on the role of an ordinary citizen made into a Commander of the Fifth Crusade when they discover mysterious “powers” that allow them to repel a demonic invasion of their city. Throughout the story, players are accompanied by various Companions to close the Worldwound and stop the ongoing demonic invasion before the demons destroy the Wardstones that keep the world’s last bastions protected from total collapse.
As an RPG inspired by the Pathfinder TTRPG ruleset, players engage in combat from an isometric perspective, either letting their characters duke it out against foes or using a turn-based mode to position allies and select which abilities to use. When players make progress through the story, they can trigger Romance Flags and True Romance Flags that may determine the depth of their potential relationships.
How Is Romance In Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous
There’s aparticular level of depth to the interactions inWrath of the Righteousthat makes each Companion all the more worth getting to know, even if they don’t eventually evolve into romances. Even then, there’s enough content in dialogue with each romance option to see their compatibility with the player’s roleplaying vision. The game’s story offers more than enough chances to develop relationships with all the characters, and for players to turn them off or attract them, all featuring motivations and backstories that turn them into breathing members of the world instead of just a batch of Companions to romance.
Despite being a 1998 title,Thousand Armsremains aclassic among JRPGsfor its unique take on cross-genre, its innovative combat system, and its intriguing story. Set in a steampunk World, the Spirit Blacksmith Meis becomes entrusted to find the legendary Sacred Flames before the malevolent Dark Acolytes use them to sow chaos everywhere. And the catch? Meis can strengthen his smithing powers by dating women.
Thus begins a hilarious yet captivating story of how Meis saves the world while finding his true love. This isn’t to say thatThousand Armsdoesn’t have a great romance, though. Each female protagonist has a charming personality - from brave Sodina Dawnfried, nerdy but form-changing Nelsha, and even sarcastic Kyleen, among others.
How Is Romance In Thousand Arms?
Despite being a 1998 game,Thousand Armshas quite an in-depth approach to romance. At first, dating seems rather straightforward as players must go to a Goddess of Love statue and choose an eligible girl to take out on a date. However, dating segments transform into an in-depth mini-game, where players must raise their Intimacy Level by answering questions according to the girl’s preference and giving proper gifts. A girl with a high enough Intimacy Level can imbue weapons with various skills and spells.
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Players ofStarfieldknow of the title as Bethesda’s surprising move in taking its open-world RPG formula to the depths of space. Leaning away from the fantastical world of Tamriel and the post-nuclear wasteland ofFallout, the gameplay and story inStarfieldshowcase the player as an adventurer tasked to retrieve artifacts all across space.
Only four characters that players meet inStarfieldare romanceable: a passionate leader, an enigmatic adventurer with a mysterious past, a scientist always hungry for knowledge, and a descendant of the founder of the Freestar Collective. However, their relationship with the player inside and outside their respective romances can make them interesting companions to meet in any playthrough.
How Is Romance In Starfield?
As with other Bethesda titles,Starfieldromances heavily depend on the Follower’s affinity with the player. Always leaning on Loved and Liked actions can boost players' chances of triggering the Follower’s special mission. Should this be accomplished, players can move on from being an Ally into being a Commitment option. It’s also easy to move away from a relationship by discussing it through dialogue and choosing to end it. Unlike other RPGs with romance options, some may considerStarfield’srather “generic” and lacking depth. However, from the perspective of Bethesda’s titles,Starfieldshows the promise of an open-world RPG having a more nuanced take on developing relationships.
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InRecord OfAgarest War, adventurers have to step up as heroes to stop the reemergence of an ancient evil. The 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 serve 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 2has Dark Love, where the protagonist is only married to the mate out of political interests, with the resulting offspring getting poor stats.
How Is Romance In Record Of Agarest War?
WithAgarest Warspanning multiple generations, it’s surprising that romance isn’t a major component of the player’s experience. However, romance does work less like a dating sim, and is more of stat players need to manage, especially when their characters interact with heroines to discover their prospective spouses. With each player’s character generation impacting gameplay, the game sets itself apart from other titles with how each new generation’s character can have different looks, weapons, and even passives.
