Summary
Video games have acquired a reputation for violence. Sure, plenty of titles let you blow demons away with shotguns or slaughter the undead by thousands, but even in these otherwise violent titles, there is still room to express affection. Because whether it be NPCs, your allies, or sometimes even your opponents,everyone deserves a little love sometimes.
And what better way to express that love for one another than a kind hug? This simple gesture can have a profound effect in bringing people together as well as just being a nice, wholesome gesture in otherwise grim titles.
9Helldivers 2
Brothers In (Each Other’s) Arms
Helldivers 2 took the gaming world by storm with its constant war against the alien races that threaten Super Earth. On some planets, deadly machine men march forward armed to the teeth with laser rifles and rocket launchers. On other worlds, giant bug creatures stalk the lands, ready to tear flesh with their claws or spew acid onto their hapless victims. The only soldiers capable of combating these threats are the titular Helldivers.
Fighting alongside your comrades is a fast way to develop a bond, and the combined efforts necessary to complete major orders have awarded the game atight-knit community. At the end of a hard mission, it can be immensely satisfying to put your weapon aside to thank your teammate for their efforts with a hug.
8The Sims 4
Love Thy Neighbor
The life of a Sim is a complicated one. They’ll pursue their goals, likely have to contend with a few house fires, and if they’re lucky, perhaps they’ll even fall in love. Romance can be one of the most enjoyable parts of any Sims 4 experience as you observe the courting process. Like in real life, some Sims are more adept when it comes to romance than others, but the best relationships often start slowly.
A hug is a perfect gesture to help start things off on the right foot. But it’s also not limited to romance. A friendly hug can show your friends just how much you appreciate them and allow your Sims to become closer than ever.
7Mortal Kombat 11
Killing Them With Kindness
The Mortal Kombat series is known for its brutal, over-the-top violence. Ever since debuting in arcades, the series has allowed players to finish off their opponents in savage fashionvia the infamous fatalities. And as the series and graphical technology continued to develop over the years, so did these awesome displays of gore and brutality.
But for the more squeamish out there, there is an alternative way to end the fight with Friendships. These much more wholesome alternatives to outright killing your enemy feature some lighthearted sequences, including Scorpion delivering his iconic spear toss to an oversized teddy bear to give it a nice big hug.
6Portal 2
Do Robots Dream Of Warm Hugs?
The sequel to Valve’s critically acclaimed puzzle game, Portal 2 is bigger than its predecessor. Along with a more in-depth campaign mode with new challenges to explore, the title also featured an entirely separate cooperative campaign. This site mode centers around two robots that are required by Glados to complete further testing trials that require them to work together.
Much to their overseer’s dismay, the two robots can express their fondness for one another, with more options becoming available as they continue to progress further. One of those is a hug that can be just the expression needed to convey your sense of satisfaction with working together to overcome a particularly difficult puzzle.
5Fortnite
Friendly Duos
Fortnite allows players incredible freedom to express themselves. The game’s various skins mean your appearance can range from one of the game’s original outfits to a whole host of characters from comic books, other games,and even anime. But your aesthetic choices don’t end there, thanks to emotes.
Most of these gestures are taunts meant to show off your skill to opponents. But others aren’t quite so biting. Take, for instance, the bear hug, which lets you bring someone in close, and brings in some positive vibes.
4Fable 3
Quest For Love
The Fable games pride themselves on letting you forge your destiny, which is a fantasy world. You can choose to walk the path of good or evil, what weapons or skills you use, or how you are viewed in the eyes of the public. The best way to get in their good graces is by completing quests, but you also have other less grandiose ways of expressing yourself.
You can talk with townsfolk, strike a pose, or for those looking for a more intimate option, you could go in for a hug. Part of the ‘lover’ set of actions, a hug can be the first step you take on your way to developing a romance.
3Destiny 2
A Guardian’s Bond
One of the most successful live-service games of all time, Destiny 2 has fostered an active and tight-knit player base. In this time, the game has also encouraged players to find new ways to stand out among the pack, both in game mechanics like weapons and gear, as well as with aesthetic choices.
Emotes are a part of this. Although they are usually of the standard taunting variety, primarily for antagonizing enemies rather than making any new friends. However, not all these gestures are so cruel. The hug emote, for instance, could be exactly the kind of thing to bring people together for a raid.
2Persona 3: Reloaded
A Party That Fights Together, Hugs Together
The Persona series contains some of the most quintessential JRPGS on the market. These games always come packed to the brim with memorable characters, stylish turn-based combat, and an engaging narrative that can hold your attention for dozens of hours. A core part of all these experiences is also the high school component, which tasks you with overcoming the hurdles of adolescence while dealing with often more magically oriented struggles.
As such, bonding with your team in the classrooms of Persona 3 is often just as important as maintaining chemistry on the battlefield. These relationships can even blossom into something more than just friendships, as certain sweet moments can be achieved if the right course is taken, including getting to hug your new romantic partner.
1A Boy And His Blob
An Adorable Bond
A remake of a title from the NES, A Boy and His Blob is an adventurous tale of the titular characters setting off to overcome puzzles and defeat enemies. The primary theme of the game is centered around cooperation; the boy uses the blob’s shapeshifting feats to beat whatever challenges they are faced with.
The art style does wonders to aid in getting you to care about these characters, making you eager to see them succeed together. To add to the cuteness present, you’re equipped with the ability to have the boy hug his blob at any time. An adorable gesture perfect for further cementing the bond the two clearly have.
