The Sweetest And Strangest Game Pairings
Love stories in games can be as unforgettable as the battles we fight, and romance can boost a narrative or derail it completely. Across games, some couples radiate warmth and chemistry, pulling us deeper into their adventures, while others feel forced or tragically underwritten. This list brings together the pairings that captured hearts and the ones that left players baffled. Let’s start with the ones that will make you cringe.
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster - Tidus and Yuna Trailer by GameTrailers
1. Tidus & Yuna In Final Fantasy X
Tidus and Yuna’s romance is a central focus of Final Fantasy X. However, their relationship ends abruptly when Tidus disappears after defeating Sin, leaving Yuna grieving. Today, Yuna’s farewell to Tidus remains one of the most parodied scenes in Final Fantasy history.
Tidus says goodbye - Final Fantasy X Remaster by DsLmaNiaC
2. Link & Mipha In Breath Of The Wild
Mipha’s feelings for Link are strongly implied through dialogue and her gift, the Zora armor. Some fans even believe Link’s relationship with Mipha is more sincere than with Zelda in this game. But due to Mipha’s death, their relationship never develops fully.
Breath of the Wild: Mipha's UNTOLD Love Story by NintendoBlackCrisis
3. Squall & Rinoa In Final Fantasy VIII
The romance between Squall and Rinoa is meant to be a driving emotional core of the story. Many players, however, criticize their interactions as stilted and lacking genuine chemistry. While the game’s ending attempts to mirror a fairy-tale reunion, opinions remain divided.
4. Leon & Ada In Resident Evil 4
Leon and Ada’s dynamic has persisted across multiple Resident Evil games without resolution. Their “romance” is more flirtation than commitment and often leads to plot twists. Yes, Ada saves Leon’s life multiple times, but she never stays to explain her motives.
Resident Evil 4 Remake - All Ada & Leon Scenes (RE:2 Remake - RE:4 Remake) - [4K-60FPS] by YOYO-DODO
5. Cloud & Aerith In Final Fantasy VII
The budding relationship between Cloud and Aerith is cut short by Aerith’s sudden death—a scene that became one of gaming’s most iconic emotional moments. Their interactions in the first half of the game set up a tragic love story.
Cloud being in love with Aerith for 23 minutes straight | #ff7rebirth #clerith by yououui
6. Mario & Peach In Super Mario
Mario’s constant rescues of Princess Peach have been a staple of the franchise since 1985, but the games rarely show genuine romantic development between them. Super Mario Odyssey, however, hints at Peach’s independence when she rejects Mario’s proposal.
Where Did Peach go after Beating Bowser? - Super Mario Odyssey by ConvictedBattler
7. Gordon Freeman & Alyx Vance In Half-Life
Gordon and Alyx share significant screen time and build trust through survival. But despite clear chemistry, their relationship never advances into romance. Gordon never speaks, leaving all romantic cues to Alyx’s expressions and tone, and players often insert their own interpretations of their bond.
[SFM, HL2] Half Life 2: Taking a Breather by Zapper770
8. Lara Croft & Kurtis Trent In Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
Even though Lara and Kurtis’s interactions were intended to set up a romantic subplot, their relationship felt forced, lacked natural chemistry, and frustrated fans. This romance was abandoned in later Tomb Raider games entirely.
Lara Croft and Kurtis Trent (TRAOD) - Resident Evil 5 Mod by Hazaard X
9. Noctis & Lunafreya In Final Fantasy XV
Noctis and Lunafreya are engaged for political reasons, but they share a deep personal history. They barely interact on-screen before tragedy ends their story, and fans often criticize this romance as a missed storytelling opportunity.
FINAL FANTASY XV - Noctis and Luna Wedding Secret Ending Cutscene by Zanar Aesthetics
10. Sora & Kairi In Kingdom Hearts
In the Kingdom Hearts series, Sora and Kairi’s connection is a recurring emotional thread. But despite spanning multiple games, their romance never fully develops. The secret ending in Kingdom Hearts III teases more story but no resolution.
Now, let’s go over to the romance pairs that keep us smiling.
1. Geralt & Yennefer In The Witcher 3
Geralt and Yennefer’s romance is central to the Witcher saga, with choices that can solidify or break their bond. His devotion is so strong that he risks everything to save her from a deadly djinn curse.
Geralt and Yennefer Love Story (The Witcher 3) 1080p HD by Gamer's Little Playground
2. Nathan Drake & Elena Fisher In Uncharted
This romance evolves naturally over multiple games, turning from professional rivalry into genuine partnership. By Uncharted 4, they’re married and working through realistic relationship challenges. Their playful bickering often foreshadows major plot events in subtle ways.
Uncharted 4 PS5 Remastered - All Nathan and Elena Cutscenes by VG Moments
3. Joel & Tess In The Last Of Us
Joel and Tess share a close, implied romantic relationship that fuels much of their trust. Players never see their first meeting, and this adds some mystery to their bond. The game has an emotional tone shaped by Tess’s sacrifice to protect them.
4. Zidane & Garnet In Final Fantasy IX
Zidane once risked everything to rescue Garnet from losing her voice. Yes, he starts with flirtatious antics, but his care for Garnet deepens into a mutual love. And Garnet’s transformation from sheltered princess to confident queen parallels their relationship’s maturity.
Final Fantasy IX (PC) Cutscene #40 Garnet Faints At The Sight of The Invincible by Basileous
5. Arthur Morgan & Mary Linton In Red Dead Redemption 2
Due to Arthur’s outlaw lifestyle and Mary’s societal obligations, they share a doomed romance. Their final goodbye takes place during a rainy evening in Saint Denis, and players can control how tender or distant their farewell feels.
6. Ellie & Dina’s Brave In The Last Of Us Part II
Ellie and Dina’s romance provides warmth and hope in a post-apocalyptic setting. They share a home and care for a child together during the story. Dina supports Ellie through dangerous and emotional challenges, and their first kiss is set during a tense community dance scene.
7. Commander Shepard & Garrus Vakarian In Mass Effect 2
The romance between Shepard and Garrus grows from battlefield camaraderie into mutual trust and affection. Their “calibration” jokes became a beloved in-game meme, and Garrus’s loyalty mission deepens the emotional stakes if they become partners.
8. Lee Everett & Carley In The Walking Dead: Season One
Lee and Carley's budding romance is one of the few hopeful elements in a dark storyline. Carley's trust in Lee influences player decisions and dialogue options, and she once risks her life to save Lee from a zombie attack early on.
All Lee & Carley Romance Scenes - The Walking Dead Definitive Series by HD PLAYGROUND
9. Link & Zelda In Tears Of The Kingdom
Their relationship shows significant growth, with Zelda relying on Link as an equal partner. The game’s story suggests an unspoken but powerful romantic undertone, and fans note that their hand-holding scene mirrors classic romance imagery from earlier games.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - All Zelda & Link Scenes by BeardBear
10. Tifa & Cloud In Final Fantasy VII Remake
With expanded dialogue and shared memories, the remake adds depth to Tifa and Cloud's bond. Tifa encourages Cloud to stay in Midgar when he considers leaving, and their quiet water tower conversation is a fan-favorite romantic callback.
