Romances

[dbx]

They really need to stop putting that stuff in RPGs or any kind of videogame.

For starter they are almost exclusively written by socially impaired nerds or worse women. Cringefest to the nth power written by someone who has never ever really flirted with a girl/woman. You are some super warrior that suddendly turn into a limpwristed faggot when dealing with the other sex, it's painfull, ears and eyes start to bleed copiously.

But worse of all is the gay woke shit that fills any videogame made since 2000, which wouldn't even be a problem had such romances been written by actual human beings and not socially retarded nerds, where any kind of friendly behavior becomes a green light for buttsex...Lol. To the point I have to think thrice what to answer any time I have to deal with friendly NPCs in order to avoid unwanted attention.

Really, it makes me understand more why women act the way they do when nerds talk to them. I'd scream sexual harassment myself for all that cringe.

Really, has any of you actually witnessed any videogame where they are well made?

 

[Alexios]

I think KotOR 2 is the only game I've played that had decent romance. It actually flowed from the story and wasn't just an afterthought. As a female, for example, the Atton romance only happened once the story progressed to a certain point and you had enough influence with him to reveal his dark past. And it never showed a cringeworthy sex scene like games do today (a limitation of the engine, no doubt, but one that actually works in the game's favor). Contrast this to something like Soyberpunk or Twitcher where you get to pork everything that has a pulse with no effort, which would be fine for a porn game, but are we trying to make a mature RPG, or something for horny retards to toot their horn to?

 

[Falksi]

Romances have their place like any other form of relationship in an RPG. They're just rarely done very well unfortunately.

Morrigan's was great.

Spoiler

Fathering a demi-God with a morally grey witch, is not only a great way to end a game, but leaves a sequel open to all kinds of interesting threads. Just a shame they didn't use any of them.

 

[Shadenuat]

Really, has any of you actually witnessed any videogame where they are well made?

 

[†††]

romances in games are like the plot in a porn movie

 

[Giskard]

I go out of my way to ignore romances in games, they just get in the way of Raping, Looting and Pillaging ®, and they are almost always awkward, uncomfortable and not worth the effort (just like in Real Life).

 

[Valestein]

Player initiated/choice based romances are generally trash due to (bad) writing, lack of relevance to character development or plot and/or being very gamey(press X to shag/get involved with). I'm often left wondering why an NPC is even interested in the character I'm playing as.

One of my fave romances in a game isn't player choice but is the core of the plot, and that's the one in the Plague Knight DLC for shovel knight in which

Spoiler

Plague Knight spends the game gathering ingredients to concoct a potion to win over Mona romantically but ends up realizing that he already had what it took within him and just needed to let it out.

 

[Guvide]

Relationships in games are only done well when they are an integral part of it or have actual impact on gameplay. Good examples of this would be Crusader Kings 2 and King's Bounty The Legend where it actually matters who you marry.

I guess one could argue dating sims also do romances "right", at least those are honest about what they are and don't just shoehorn romance elements in like RPG's do.

 

[Seigneur Locklear]

I don't see romance in RPG's diminishing anytime soon. It's a conscious business choice to incorporate it - they know their audiences very well, and nothing sells better than escapism and simulation of intimate human interaction when you're sorely lacking in actual life.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Baldurs Gate 3 seems like the next big hit RPG and one of the core pillars of the game is romanceable companions. They said one of the main things they learned from the early access so far is that "players are horny" or something like that. Romances are a big draw in the genre to a lot of people, theyre just trying to get that e-waifu fix since there's not Bioware anymore.

 

[octavius]

I welcome the day I can sue video game developers for sexual harassment when other characters subject my character to unwanted sexual attention. I mean something worthwhile has to come out of the current insanity?

 

[Belegarsson]

Max Payne 2 has a good romance story.

 

[Daemongar]

Baldurs Gate 3 seems like the next big hit RPG and one of the core pillars of the game is romanceable companions. They said one of the main things they learned from the early access so far is that "players are horny" or something like that. Romances are a big draw in the genre to a lot of people, theyre just trying to get that e-waifu fix since there's not Bioware anymore.

Are they reading the right message, though? Do they have stats that people want romance in games, or is it the loudest voices in the crowd calling the shots? Reason is, you go on twitter, you'd think half the country is trannies - and maybe that's the breakdown on Twitter - but it's not so nationally. Nobody would send feedback to a developer and say "I really like hit points, armor class, equipment appropriate to my level and challenge of the fight, the right amount of progress and experience points, and I really like the level of customization!"

While relationships are optional in most games, they all break down into the non-rpg gamification of adult content - to be blunt. There is a game within the game to select dialog options that lead to tits on the character of your choosing, or at least this is what it has devolved into. These RPGs are moving in the direction of visual novels, so I think all romance options suck. Playful banter with subordinates like the in PS:T is one thing. The current state of affairs is another. None of these games give a shit about how you create your character or your stats, romances are optional fanservice for the player. Maybe if these were tied to CHA or such they'd make for an interesting play - but they don't. The more attention to game elements like this push RPGs further down the road to interactive movies.

You want a game with good romance? GTA:SA San Andreas. You had to evolve your character to be who the girls wanted. That is, your stats dictated which girl you could date. Really. The girls could also be attracted to negative stats like girls who won't date muscle-bound guys. Advantageous to have an in-shape Carl in game, but if you want the "hot coffee" you had to get fat and lazy.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Baldurs Gate 3 seems like the next big hit RPG and one of the core pillars of the game is romanceable companions. They said one of the main things they learned from the early access so far is that "players are horny" or something like that. Romances are a big draw in the genre to a lot of people, theyre just trying to get that e-waifu fix since there's not Bioware anymore.

Are they reading the right message, though? Do they have stats that people want romance in games, or is it the loudest voices in the crowd calling the shots? Reason is, you go on twitter, you'd think half the country is trannies - and maybe that's the breakdown on Twitter - but it's not so nationally. Nobody would send feedback to a developer and say "I really like hit points, armor class, equipment appropriate to my level and challenge of the fight, the right amount of progress and experience points, and I really like the level of customization!"

While relationships are optional in most games, they all break down into the non-rpg gamification of adult content - to be blunt. There is a game within the game to select dialog options that lead to tits on the character of your choosing, or at least this is what it has devolved into. These RPGs are moving in the direction of visual novels, so I think all romance options suck. Playful banter with subordinates like the in PS:T is one thing. The current state of affairs is another. None of these games give a shit about how you create your character or your stats, romances are optional fanservice for the player. Maybe if these were tied to CHA or such they'd make for an interesting play - but they don't. The more attention to game elements like this push RPGs further down the road to interactive movies.

You want a game with good romance? GTA:SA San Andreas. You had to evolve your character to be who the girls wanted. That is, your stats dictated which girl you could date. Really. The girls could also be attracted to negative stats like girls who won't date muscle-bound guys. Advantageous to have an in-shape Carl in game, but if you want the "hot coffee" you had to get fat and lazy.

Yea I agree theyre definitely getting a lot of noise from the BioRefugees and acting on it. I havent played the game but I think they added a new gay companion because so many people liked his npc so much and are creating a romance for him. I mean i think you can have sex with like 3 people even in the early access so it seems like they have every intention of having this be something thats a major part of the game.

 

[Alter Sack]

Concerning romances I think less "explicit" content would often be better. With dread I remember the "explicit" sex scenes in dragon age origins where the protagonists rolled around in their cotton underwear.

The truth is, most video game developers are unable to write a good and not embarassing romance because they are socially awkward nerds or generally incompetent writers.
I think a good example for a romance done right is Lunar Silver Star Story.

Yeah, I know it's a jrpg but it is one step ahead most western games concerning romances despite having been released 1993 initially. No long embarassing dialogs between the player character and his potential girlfriend. No explicit scenes.

The romantic relationship between the player character and his "girl" is only indicated.

I think that's the way to go for romances.

 

[Brocken Jr.]

It's not too bad in PS:T because the romance with Anna takes a lot of time to develop, doesn't lead to anything more than a kiss, and actually contributes to the main plot in that

Spoiler

When Transcendent One starts accusing you of your sins, you'll feel worse for having pulled Anna's heartstrings and dragged her down with you just like you did Deionarra.

 

[deuxhero]

I think Saints Row 4's allowing the player to have casual sex with most of their allies on a whim was a fun addition.

That aside, I think it can be rather strange when an M rated game where the player explores a populated world is somehow completely and utterly devoid of usable prostitutes (not even fade to black ones). Only something like RDR, where the fixed main character is genuinely loyal to his wife, can get away with it and even then still has hookers exist.

 

[Ash]

Interactive romancing in games is often by unfortunate loveless males, made for the same. I respect it in the context of an RPG or simulation to some degree, but I question if dev time could be spent on something more meaningful.
Gameplay-wise it's barely interesting. Story-wise it can fit and be meaningful, but best not be the focus or a major selling point of the game. Fallout handles it ok, and it adds to the sense of freedom and role-playing for whatever that's worth.
Gaming women in real life can be rather fun and lead to something even more fun (fucking, not relationships lol). I don't see how game design could replicate that in any way remotely close to the real thing, nor do I see why it should try. the same could be said for say combat, but that would be a silly argument because:

-Slaughtering people is illegal, monsters and other cool things to shoot/slay aren't real
-In the real world combat comes with major risks to your own health
-Combat is more adrenaline-pumping and a matter of twitch skill or careful strategy, whereas gaming chicks and sex is more a matter of charisma, personal intimacy, oxytocin release which virtual gaming cannot produce in most people.
-Everything meshes well with combat in highly interesting ways: resource management, utilization of futuristic or ancient tech or fighting styles, attack strategies, blah blah insert 100 other variables.

Virtual romancing is just not interesting from a game design perspective. Especially when it's typically written by dweebs that have no idea what women are really like anyway. Or maybe that's the point in the fantasy: women (or anime waifu) with traits real women don't have, such as being into you. I guess I understand. It's not easy nor fair being completely undesirable I see that. Life's a bitch.

When VR becomes more advanced, virtual romance will have an increase in value (and downsides). For now it literally is just for nerds and losers as was once said about gaming in general. But hey, at least those fake girls never give you any trouble or nonsense. Who is really the loser?

 

[Reinhardt]

This thread

 

[Hellion]

Romances exist because a vocal chuck of players keep asking for them. Whenever a new RPG is announced and its devs do a QA or "Ask Me Anything" or Reddit or any form of interaction with prospective buyers, one of the most common questions is "will there be romances" and if not then "why not?".

There aren't many developers willing to say "no, no romances, the artistic vision I have in mind for my game doesn't work with romances" if it costs them even 1 less sale. Everyone goes "eh, fuck it, it's harmless and people want it, so let's make Anders hit on the male player character as part of the main plot and then have him blow up Kirkwall".

 

[Dux]

The only romance subplot that I've found to be remotely tolerable in games is the one between Henry and Theresa in Kingdom Come.

Probably because it's straight, evolves naturally and involves two likable characters.

 

[samuraigaiden]

The only examples I can remember of RPG romances that weren't garbage incel CYOA fodder were romances in JRPGs that were completely embedded in the story and had zero choice or input from the player (Lunar SSC, Xenogears, The Last Story, etc.).

 

[Mexi]

Dart and Rose/Shana triangle wasn't that bad in the Legend of the Dragoon. Was a very odd twist at the end too.

Nothing at all wrong with romances in RPGs. They give layers to the characters.

That love triangle between Aerie and tiefling and you was kind funny too. I ended up somehow getting sucked into it without really noticing in that map where you take a character that was bitten by a vampire. It's been years since I played BG2, so IDK what the location is called. Yeah, at that location, I get a notification from that tiefling to leave Aerie alone or something. I didn't even want to romance anyone, but that utter faggot pissed me off to where I ended up actually wanting to romance Aerie! Anyways, I thought that was pretty funny.

Other than that, Morrigan's romance is probably the best one in any RPG that I've played.

I didn't really care too much about the romances in Planescape. Maybe it was because I wasn't intending on romancing anyone, but the Annah romance just kind of came out of nowhere. I think it was after that pillar of heads where you meet Annah's dad that she kisses you? That moment felt like it came out of nowhere for me because I was more focused on the world and the game itself. Then you have Dieonnarra who has probably the GOAT theme in an RPG. That song and her voice actress gives me chills.



Anyways, I'd prefer to have romances in RPGs. You faggots must not get out much, but when you're traveling for months/weeks with a fine ass chick. It'd be pretty fucking faggy to not have hit that shit. Romances are probably the most realistic part of any RPG. Can you utter faggots for real tell me that your character wouldn't be hitting the below on a daily basis? I never played the Witcher, but I have seen a few clips. Yennifer, I think her name is? Is probably one of the hottest character models I've ever fucking seen. I'm a sucker for raven-haired, white-skinned goth girls.

 

[Immortal]

For starter they are almost exclusively written by socially impaired nerds or worse women.

Fucking lol.

 

[Shadenuat]

A cute girl awkwardly hitting on a codexer even in a computer game is worse than garlick