Summary
There has been an increase inLGBTQ+ characters in video gamesin recent years. Queer representation adds much-needed diversity to the gaming world and represents a demographic of gamers who can see themselves in these characters.
Gay men in games still have a long way to go, but there are some fantastic gay couples adding inclusivity and depth to their stories. From surviving dystopian societies to escaping dungeons, these characters help queer gamers feel validated. The couples below are some of the best gay romances in video games.
The term “gay” encompasses many identities, but we are focusing on gay male characters here.
Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t shy when it comes to gay couples. While a male Tav romancing Astarion or Gale is fantastic representation, each playthrough results in different male couples. There is an NPC couple, however, that fans have noticed.
Lunkbug is a deep gnome enslaved in the Grymforge. His husband, Beldron, is trapped within the rubble you must clear. When you spare the gnome slaves after releasing him, they reunite and you’re able to hear Lunkbug fussing over Beldron. Gamers feel good after freeing the queer couple.
Cyberpunk 2077 has a romantic partner for every sexuality, with Kerry Eurodyne being the love interest for a male V. The guitarist identifies as bisexual, once married to a woman, but is into male V and Johnny Silverhand.
While Kerry is bisexual, you’re able to only romance him if you’re playing as a masculine V.
Fans who wanted Kerry to be with Johnny liked the complication of Kerry being into male V because Johnny’s subconscious was involved with V’s body. This queer romance is messy, not clean-cut and heartwarming, so it’s not for everyone. But if you want a complicated gay relationship, this couple is for you.
Steve Cortez is an Alliance pilot in Mass Effect 3. A romantic option for a male Commander Shepard, he also once had a husband named Robert who tragically died in an attack. Steve is grieving for Robert, still holding onto the recording of their last call.
While Steve lost his husband, he can slowly heal from losing him throughout the game. Steve and Robert, as well as Steve and male Shepard, bring an emotional-depth to queer love stories in video games.
Bill and Frank are one of the most tragic love stories in gaming. While HBO’s The Last of Us went into more detail about their relationship, the video game was much more subtle. Deliberately vague about Bill’s queerness, it was hinted at through dialogue and a heartbreaking note.
Bill’s story in the game is a tragedy, but it’s only inferred that the two were partners based on the aforementioned hints. The game received criticism for the “burying its gays” trope, but with the addition of the show, fans consider them an iconic gay couple in video games.
Helmut Fullbear is a member of the Psychic Six in Psychonauts 2. The traveling musician performed a show for the group, including his future husband, Bob Zanotto. They fell in love and got married. Helmut later disappears for 20 years, losing his memory and devastating Bob. Eventually, Helmut recovers his identity, leading to a joyous reunion.
Queer fans of the game appreciated that Helmut and Bob’s relationship wasn’t subtle, but also felt natural and loving.
Hades is known for having great gay representation. Players have the option to romance characters of various genders. Thanatos is one of the first characters players come across in Hades, and he is romanceable by Zagreaus, his friend from childhood.
In fact, Zagreaus is his only romantic interest in the game, making it clear that the personification of death is gay. The pair has opposite personalities but show a lot of care for each other, and fans find their romance well-written and adorable.
The Life is Strange franchise has always been gay. Since the first game, players could romance various identities. In Life is Strange 2, Sean Diaz romances Finn McNamara when he and his brother join a community of runaways.
If you make certain choices, you may lose the option for this romance. Choose wisely.
On several occasions, Finn makes flirty remarks, and Sean has the option of reciprocating his feelings and sharing a kiss. If players make the right choices, Finn eventually tells Sean he loves him. The pair share a sweet connection.
Dragon Age: Inquisition offers a few gay romance options. Dorian Pavus is one of the most iconic gay characters in video games. Iron Bull is also a love interest for male inquisitors, who identifies as pansexual. If you choose not to romance either character, they fall for each other.
Their romance is viewed through party banter, with Iron Bull revealing he spent the night with Dorian. While it starts as a hookup, Iron Bull wants it to be more, with Dorian eventually admitting he wants to stay with him.
Sir Hammerlock is the first friendly human players encounter in Borderlands 2. The fan-favorite character subtly revealed his sexuality in the second game, though it’s clearer in Borderlands 3. He’s in a romantic relationship with Wainwright, heir to the Jakobs Corporation.
Hammerlock’s dialogue revealing his sexuality is optional audio in Borderlands 2. Not all players hear this.
Eventually married in the Borderlands 3 DLC, they are an adorable gay couple, showing mutual respect and love for each other.
Dion Lesage is a major character in Final Fantasy 16. The Crown Prince was childhood friends with Sir Terence. Terence harbored romantic feelings he once thought were not returned. One day, when Dion protected Terence from an attack and was gravely injured, the pair confessed their mutual feelings.
Their romantic relationship is not ambiguous or coded, it’s obvious. Queer gamers found the pair to be a refreshing bit of clear representation.
