Games Where Being Queer Is the Default and Straight Is the Customization

Video games have evolved from rigid heteronormative narratives to expansive worlds of diverse expression. Many modern titles now position queer identities as the central experience rather than an optional side path. These stories allow players to exist authentically without needing to toggle specific settings or mods. The following list explores twenty games where LGBTQ+ themes form the foundation of the gameplay experience.

‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ (2023)

Larian Studios created a Dungeons & Dragons epic where player freedom is paramount. The companions express romantic interest regardless of the gender identity chosen by the player. This design choice makes pansexuality the functional norm throughout the Forgotten Realms setting. Players must actively decide to pursue a strictly heterosexual path amidst a cast of fluid romantic options.

‘Hades’ (2020)

Supergiant Games reimagined Greek mythology with a distinctively modern and inclusive lens. Prince Zagreus can pursue romantic relationships with both the Fury Megaera and the personification of death Thanatos. The narrative treats these multiple attractions as a natural part of his character development. Ancient gods and heroes casually reference same-sex partners throughout the roguelike dungeon crawler.

‘The Last of Us Part II’ (2020)

Naughty Dog crafted this sequel around the life and relationships of Ellie Williams. Her romance with Dina serves as the emotional anchor amidst the brutal post-apocalyptic violence. The story presents her sexuality as a fundamental trait that drives her motivations and fears. Players experience the narrative through the perspective of a lesbian protagonist without any option to alter this reality.

‘Life is Strange’ (2015)

Dontnod Entertainment introduced players to Max Caulfield and her time-bending abilities in this episodic adventure. The central relationship between Max and her best friend Chloe Price drives the emotional core of the narrative. While players can make various choices, the story heavily privileges the bond between the two women. The intense connection between them transcends typical friendship dynamics and serves as the primary plot engine.

‘I Was a Teenage Exocolonist’ (2022)

Northway Games developed a narrative RPG where gender and sexuality are completely fluid. The protagonist grows up in a sci-fi colony where rigid labels for identity simply do not exist. Players can date characters of any gender while the game tracks relationships based on emotional compatibility rather than biology. The writing seamlessly integrates non-binary characters and polyamory into the fabric of the society.

‘Tell Me Why’ (2020)

Dontnod Entertainment returned to the narrative adventure genre with a groundbreaking protagonist. The story follows Tyler Ronan as he reunites with his twin sister to uncover childhood secrets. Tyler is a trans man whose identity is treated with respect and plays a key role in his personal journey. This representation allows players to inhabit a trans perspective as the default state of play.

‘Gone Home’ (2013)

The Fullbright Company subverted player expectations with this exploration game. Players investigate an empty house to piece together the whereabouts of the protagonist’s family. The central mystery unfolds to reveal a touching story about a younger sister coming out and falling in love with another girl. The narrative prioritizes this queer romance over traditional horror or thriller tropes often found in the genre.

‘Monster Prom’ (2018)

Beautiful Glitch developed this competitive dating simulator with inclusivity at its core. The game allows players to romance any character regardless of the protagonist’s gender choice. This flexibility creates a high school environment where queer attraction is the standard social dynamic. The comedic writing assumes a baseline of fluidity for all the monsters involved in the race to prom.

‘Celeste’ (2018)

Extremely OK Games designed a challenging platformer that serves as an allegory for self-discovery and anxiety. The creator later confirmed that the protagonist Madeline is a trans woman. Small narrative details and the overarching themes of the game reflect the trans experience. Her journey up the mountain resonates deeply with the struggle for self-acceptance and identity.

‘Signalis’ (2022)

Rose-engine crafted a survival horror experience heavily influenced by classic anime and cosmic terror. The story centers on Elster and her desperate search for her female partner and commander. Romantic devotion between women drives the plot forward amidst the terrifying industrial setting. The game frames this lesbian relationship as the only source of warmth in a cold and dying universe.

‘Unpacking’ (2021)

Witch Beam told a subtle story entirely through the act of organizing possessions in different homes. Players follow the life of a female protagonist as she moves through various life stages and relationships. The environmental storytelling eventually reveals she is moving in with a girlfriend and raising a family. This narrative unfolds naturally without a single line of spoken dialogue.

‘Night in the Woods’ (2017)

Infinite Fall created an adventure game focusing on mental health and the stagnation of small-town life. The protagonist Mae Borowski is pansexual and her identity is a casual fact of her existence. Several supporting characters also fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella including her best friend Gregg and his boyfriend Angus. The town of Possum Springs treats these relationships as a normal part of the community fabric.

‘Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator’ (2017)

Game Grumps produced a visual novel that celebrates gay fatherhood and romance. Players create a custom dad character and pursue relationships with other single fathers in the neighborhood. The game completely removes heteronormativity from the dating equation. Every romantic option leads to a same-sex relationship filled with wholesome humor and heart.

‘Butterfly Soup’ (2017)

Brianna Lei developed this visual novel about gay Asian-American girls playing baseball. The story focuses entirely on the friendships and budding romances between four distinct female characters. It captures the specific anxieties and joys of queer adolescence with sharp wit. The game provides a space where lesbian identity is the absolute norm for the entire cast.

‘Bugsnax’ (2020)

Young Horses surprised players with a creature-collection game that features a very queer cast of Grumpuses. Several key relationships in the village are same-sex pairings that are central to the plot. Characters like Chandlo and Snorpy display open affection and commitment to one another. The game normalizes these bonds within its whimsical and slightly disturbing setting.

‘Undertale’ (2015)

Toby Fox created an RPG that deconstructs the genre while championing diverse characters. The player character is gender-neutral and referred to with they/them pronouns. Major plot points revolve around the romance between the royal guard Undyne and the royal scientist Alphys. The game world presents these identities without fanfare or explanation.

‘Dragon Age II’ (2011)

BioWare implemented a romance system where every companion is playersexual. The protagonist Hawke can pursue a relationship with any romanceable party member regardless of gender. This mechanic creates a version of Kirkwall where bisexuality appears to be the standard orientation. Players have total agency to shape their romantic destiny without gender-based restrictions.

‘Stardew Valley’ (2016)

ConcernedApe developed a farming simulator that offers complete equality in marriage options. The townspeople are eligible for romance with the farmer regardless of the gender selected at the start. Same-sex couples can adopt children and enjoy the same festival interactions as straight couples. The game mechanics ensure that queer life on the farm is functionally identical to any other path.

‘Outer Wilds’ (2019)

Mobius Digital created a universe where the inhabitants do not use gendered pronouns. The Hearthian race refers to one another using gender-neutral terminology exclusively. This species biology eliminates the concept of binary gender roles entirely. Players explore the solar system as a character whose identity exists outside human normative standards.

‘Goodbye Volcano High’ (2023)

KO_OP designed this narrative adventure around a group of dinosaur friends facing their final year of high school. The main character Fang is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns throughout the story. The supporting cast features a wide spectrum of queer identities that color every interaction. Teen drama and romance unfold in a world where LGBTQ+ experiences are the primary focus.

Share your favorite game that centers queer narratives in the comments.