25 Video Game Romances That Made Us Uncomfortable

Video games often struggle to depict romance with the nuance and chemistry found in other media. Writers sometimes force relationships between characters who lack compatibility or place them in bizarre situations that disrupt the narrative tone. Players frequently encounter glitches or awkward animations that turn intended intimate moments into unintentional comedy. The following titles feature romantic subplots or scenes that left audiences feeling perplexed rather than enamored.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ (2006)

This platformer features a widely criticized romantic subplot between Sonic and the human Princess Elise. The story focuses heavily on their growing connection despite their different species. The narrative culminates in a scene where Elise kisses a lifeless Sonic to revive him with the power of the Chaos Emeralds. Many players found the visual of a realistic human kissing a cartoon hedgehog to be visually jarring and tonally inappropriate for the franchise.

‘Heavy Rain’ (2010)

Ethan Mars is a grieving father frantically searching for his missing son while suffering from blackouts. He meets journalist Madison Paige who treats his wounds and suddenly initiates a romantic encounter. The intimate scene feels disconnected from the urgent and depressing atmosphere of the main plot. Critics noted that the relationship developed too quickly given the traumatic circumstances surrounding both characters.

‘Fahrenheit’ (2005)

Lucas Kane and Detective Carla Valenti begin the game on opposite sides of a murder investigation. The story takes a supernatural turn that forces them to work together to save the world from an ancient AI. They engage in a romantic encounter inside a subway car despite having known each other for a very short time. The scene is often cited as an example of forced storytelling that ignores previous character motivations.

‘Ride to Hell: Retribution’ (2013)

This game is infamous for its poor technical quality and questionable narrative choices involving the protagonist Jake Conway. The romantic encounters in the game feature fully clothed characters gyrating awkwardly against each other. These scenes suffer from terrible camera angles and repetitive animations that fail to convey any genuine intimacy. The lack of nudity or realistic movement makes the sequences look more like glitchy errors than romantic interludes.

‘Metroid: Other M’ (2010)

Samus Aran is one of the most capable bounty hunters in the galaxy yet this title depicts her in a subservient role to her former commanding officer Adam Malkovich. The dynamic requires Samus to wait for Adam’s permission to use weapons and abilities she already possesses. This restriction continues even when she is in immediate danger from heat or enemies. Fans criticized this relationship for undermining the independent and powerful characterization established in previous games.

‘Mass Effect 2’ (2010)

Commander Shepard can pursue a romance with an Asari named Morinth who suffers from a genetic condition. This condition causes her partners to die immediately upon mind-melding with her during intimate moments. If the player chooses to consummate the relationship then Shepard dies and a game over screen appears. The option presents a grim trap for players expecting a standard romance path within the game’s social mechanics.

‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ (2018)

The Legacy of the First Blade DLC introduces a romantic partner for the protagonist regardless of the player’s previous role-playing choices. Kassandra or Alexios enters a relationship with a character named Natakas or Neema to continue their bloodline. This narrative development frustrated players who had spent the main game establishing their character’s specific romantic orientation. The forced nature of the union ignored the agency that the main game had previously championed.

‘Persona 5’ (2016)

The protagonist is a high school student who can enter a romantic relationship with his homeroom teacher Sadayo Kawakami. Players can initiate this path by calling her maid service and eventually uncovering her personal struggles. The power dynamic and age difference between a teacher and a minor created an ethical dilemma for many players. The game treats the relationship as a standard dating option despite the professional and legal boundaries it crosses.

‘Fire Emblem Fates’ (2015)

The protagonist Corrin is caught between two warring kingdoms populated by their biological and adopted siblings. The game allows the player to marry almost any character of the opposite sex including members of both royal families. The dialogue attempts to explain away the incestuous implications by revealing lack of blood relation in certain paths. This explanation did little to alleviate the discomfort of romancing characters who were raised as brothers and sisters.

‘Far Cry 3’ (2012)

Jason Brody becomes involved with Citra who is the leader of the Rakyat tribe on a dangerous island. She manipulates Jason throughout the game by encouraging him to embrace violence and sever ties with his friends. The story offers an ending where Jason chooses to join Citra and participates in a ritual execution of his allies. Citra then kills Jason immediately after they consummate their relationship to ensure their child will lead the tribe.

‘Duke Nukem Forever’ (2011)

The Holsom twins appear in the game primarily to provide titillation for the titular character. A specific scene involves the twins engaging in suggestive acts with Duke while he recovers health. The dialogue is heavy with double entendres that feel dated and juvenile even for the franchise’s standards. This portrayal of women contributed to the negative critical reception regarding the game’s humor and tone.

‘Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain’ (2015)

Quiet is a sniper who breathes through her skin and must wear minimal clothing to survive. She forms a bond with Venom Snake that culminates in a scene where they frolic in the rain and splash water on each other. The sudden shift from a gritty military drama to a playful romance montage felt tonally inconsistent. The camera focuses heavily on her body during the sequence in a way that many found gratuitous.

‘Lollipop Chainsaw’ (2012)

Juliet Starling is a cheerleader who fights zombies while carrying the living head of her boyfriend Nick on her belt. Nick creates a constant stream of commentary while dangling from her waist throughout the violent gameplay. The physical mechanics of their relationship involve Juliet using Nick’s head as a weapon or placing it on headless zombie bodies. The absurdity of the situation turns their interactions into a grotesque parody of high school romance.

‘Detroit: Become Human’ (2018)

Markus is an android leader fighting for the rights of his people alongside his lieutenant North. The game pushes a romantic subplot between them regardless of whether their ideologies align during the story. Players can choose a pacifist route while North constantly advocates for violence yet the romance remains an option. The lack of chemistry and conflicting values make their eventual union feel mandated by the script rather than earned.

‘Resident Evil 4’ (2005)

Leon Kennedy spends the game rescuing the president’s daughter Ashley Graham from a cult in rural Europe. The gameplay involves protecting Ashley while she frequently screams for help and follows Leon closely. The game concludes with Ashley awkwardly asking Leon if he wants to do some overtime back at her place. Leon promptly rejects the offer but the sudden proposition from a character he spent hours babysitting feels misplaced.

‘Beyond: Two Souls’ (2013)

Jodie Holmes works with a CIA agent named Ryan Clayton who initially betrays her trust and contributes to her trauma. The game allows Jodie to forgive Ryan and enter a romantic relationship with him later in the timeline. Many players found it difficult to accept Ryan as a love interest after his manipulative actions earlier in the story. The narrative attempts to redeem him but the shift from antagonist to lover happens without sufficient character development.

‘Wolfenstein: The New Order’ (2014)

B.J. Blazkowicz is a soldier fighting in a dystopian alternative history where Nazis won World War II. He meets a nurse named Anya Oliwa and they quickly develop a physical relationship. They engage in sexual activity on a train while surrounded by enemy soldiers and danger. The juxtaposition of intimate romance with the constant threat of discovery and death creates a jarring dissonance for the player.

‘Grand Theft Auto V’ (2013)

Trevor Philips kidnaps Patricia Madrazo who is the much older wife of a drug lord he has angered. Patricia eventually develops feelings for Trevor despite being held against her will in a chaotic environment. The relationship plays out with elements of Stockholm syndrome that are treated with a surprisingly sentimental tone. The pairing is one of the strangest aspects of Trevor’s already erratic and violent storyline.

‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)

Geralt of Rivia can romance the sorceress Keira Metz after helping her with several tasks in Velen. Keira seduces Geralt and they share a romantic evening before she puts him to sleep with a spell. She uses the distraction to steal dangerous research notes that could cause a plague. The player must then confront her and potentially kill her which makes the preceding intimacy feel like a cynical trap.

‘Until Dawn’ (2015)

Emily and Matt are a couple visiting a mountain lodge where a horror scenario unfolds. Emily treats Matt with consistent disdain and demands unwavering obedience from him throughout the night. Players often struggle to keep Matt alive because saving him usually requires ignoring Emily’s aggressive demands. The toxic nature of their interactions makes it hard for the audience to root for them as a couple.

‘Kingdom Hearts II’ (2005)

Sora and Kairi share a connection that drives the emotional core of the franchise’s overarching narrative. Their reunions are often marked by stilted dialogue and long pauses that fail to convey natural human emotion. The scenes rely heavily on melodramatic music rather than meaningful interaction to sell their bond. The innocent nature of their romance often clashes with the convoluted plot mechanics surrounding hearts and memories.

’12 Minutes’ (2021)

A husband and wife are trapped in a time loop where they are repeatedly attacked by a police officer. The narrative eventually reveals that the husband and wife are actually half-siblings who share a father. This twist fundamentally changes the context of their marriage and the pregnancy they are celebrating. The revelation turns the entire premise of saving the relationship into a disturbing realization for the player.

‘Shadow of the Colossus’ (2005)

Wander travels to a forbidden land to slay sixteen colossi in order to resurrect a girl named Mono. The girl remains a lifeless corpse on an altar for the entirety of the game while Wander corrupts his own body to save her. The relationship is entirely one-sided and driven by Wander’s obsession with bringing her back from the dead. The silence and stillness of Mono creates an eerie atmosphere that questions the morality of Wander’s violent quest.

‘Final Fantasy X-2’ (2003)

The character Brother is the pilot of the airship and also happens to be Yuna’s first cousin. He spends much of the game making loud and aggressive romantic advances toward Yuna in the Al Bhed language. Yuna generally ignores these outbursts but the persistence of his behavior is played for comedy. The familial relation makes his constant flirting uncomfortable rather than funny.

‘Dragon Age II’ (2011)

Anders is a mage possessed by a spirit of Justice who becomes a potential romance option for the protagonist Hawke. He manipulates Hawke into gathering ingredients for a potion that is actually a magical bomb. Anders uses this bomb to destroy a chantry and kill hundreds of innocent people in an act of terrorism. The betrayal forces the player to decide whether to kill their lover or become complicit in mass murder.

We would love to hear which video game romances you found the most awkward so please share your thoughts in the comments.