I think the best part of any RPG or visual novel are the romances. They push you to form relationships with characters, dig deeper, and learn more about your playstyle and thoughts in a new world. And great romance video games are a must when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Not all of the video games on this list has romance as its primary objective, but they all do have romance systems and characters that will make you want to learn how to edit fan cams.
Palia
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Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC
Developer: Singularity 6
A cozy MMO—a genre I didn’t know I needed—Palia has a lot to offer players looking for a game to devote hours upon hours to. Whether your focus is decorating, grinding for materials to craft, social sim exploration, or romancing your way through the streets of this fantasy village, you can do it. Cook with friends, build a dream home and bag a daddy are just some of the great selling points and why Palia makes its way onto our recommendations for Valentine’s Day video games.
Unrestricted by gender, the characters you can romance span body type and attitude. Are you looking for more of an idol with Nai’o, a witchy woman with Tamala, a robot with Einar, or a scientist with Jina? There is a type for everyone. Not to mention, developers Singularity 6 listened to player feedback and made the daddy of the game, Hodari, romanceable; Palia has you covered. Not to mention, you can even play it with your own date.
Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator
Platforms: PC, MacOS, Android, iOS
Developer: Game Grumps
We couldn’t make a Valentine’s Day video games list without the daddiest dating sim of them all: Dream Daddy. A video game with a comic, board game, and more, this is a quintessential dating simulation title that proves there is a daddy for everyone. They range from preppy or intellectual to whisky-drinking bad boys and a professor, with so much more in between. I could talk about the game’s inclusive design, the stellar character designs, or how the developers knew exactly what thirsty buttons to push, but I’ll just let you look at the key art above.
Boyfriend Dungeon
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Developer: Kitfox Games
Easily my favorite rogue-lite and romance sim of 2021, Boyfriend Dungeon lands on this Valentine’s Day video games list because of its attention to storytelling…and its stellar character designs. With an urban fantasy setting you play a character visiting their cousin. You are perpetually single and have never been on a date. To help get you into your romance era, your cousin plays matchmaker as he helps you explore a world of dungeons in the process.
The premise of Boyfriend Dungeon really isn’t all that complicated. That said, it’s the execution and thoughtful choices in storytelling and immersion that help make the game stand apart in a genre largely focused on banging. Each character you can romance is also a weapon you can wield. They also have their own personalities and interact with you and the main story in unique ways. Not to mention, this thirsty game also adds in thoughtful points on dating and noticing red flags that go a long way. Plus, everyone is hot.
Thirsty Suitors
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Game Pass
Developer: Outerloop Games
Thirsty Suitors is an exciting, genre-blending story. A narrative action-adventure game about culture, relationships, family pressures, and expressing oneself, love means a whole lot more than romance. The game has skateboarding, cooking, and RPG turn-based combat, and does it all expertly. In it, you play Jala as she returns home for her sister’s wedding. But being with her sister on a happy day also means that Jala has to confront everything she left behind, from exes to family.
The game captures the less romantic sides of falling in love and pairing up as Jala confronts her mistakes, makes up with her exes, and reconciles the cultural differences that have shaped her life. That complexity is why Thirsty Suitors is a must-play for a Valentine’s Day video game rotation.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC, Mac, Xbox Series X|S
Developer: Larian Studios
Baldur’s Gate 3 has no shortage of accolades. Whether it’s Best RPG or GOTY, the game from Larian Studios nails its fantasy setting and D&D inspiration on pretty much all fronts. But the one that has taken every single corner of the internet by storm is the game’s inclusive and robust romance system. Whether it’s a companion or a non-companion romance, the depth the game creates around the relationships you forge is substantial. This is especially true as you uncover each character’s history along the way. Whether it’s Shadowheart, Asterion, or someone else, romance is a vital storytelling mechanic.
With respectful explorations of kink, fun pairings, and the ability to actually craft a meaningful relationship or something with benefits, Baldur’s Gate 3 is probably the most diverse option for romancing characters out there. And with Update 6 focused all on fixing the kissing mechanics of the game? C’mon, this is a Valentine’s Day must.
Monster Camp
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC
Developer: Beautiful Glitch
A sequel to 2018’s Monster Prom, Monster Camp is a dating sim that can be played quickly and nearly endlessly. romancing characters and making relationships with others is played over the course of one camp cycle. A Visual novel developed by Beautiful Glitch, the game has a unique aesthetic that taps into the monster lover in us all. From devils to ghosts, skeletons, ogres, werewolves, and more, this unique take on classic characters combined with thoughtful lore is a game everyone should play.
Endearingly marketed as a “maturely immature dating sim,” your goal is to find a date in time for the Meteor Shower. In the game, you choose where to spend your time around the camp by day, meet new characters, participate in wholesome camp activities, settle childish arguments and rivalries, and more. Focused on character stories and compatibility, this one is even more fun when played with others.
Coral Island
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
Developer: Stairway Games
Ever wanted to get away from the big city and move to a remote island? Well, you can in Stairway Games’ Coral Island. Arriving on the island of Pokyo, you start a new chapter of your life. You have the ability to create the idyllic farm of your dreams. Tend to your crops, nurture animals, and help revitalize the nearby town and its surrounding coral reefs. But with an island community of 70 people, the social sim aspect definitely comes into play. With diverse and inclusive romanceable characters with unique personalities and stories, this is one that makes for a perfect night in devoted to romance video games.
Embracing a seaside romance can be all it’s cracked up to be, and the beautiful and whimsical art in Coral Island makes it all the more fantastical. With stunning character designs, meeting new people and learning about them is a surefire way to make a lasting relationship. And with the most robust dating options on the list, it’s a must-play.
Romance and video games go hand-in-hand. Why not give one of these a try?
