Some Romance is Hard to Enjoy
A good video game romance can add serious emotion to an otherwise action-heavy game—but only when we don’t want to tear our hair out. Let’s call a spade a spade here; sometimes the issue is thin writing, sometimes it’s repetitive drama, and sometimes a love interest just keeps pulling the hero into more problems. Whatever the case, come with us as we explore the most insufferable romances in video games.
1. Ashley Graham From Resident Evil 4
We all know that Ashley’s central to Resident Evil 4, but her constant need for protection really wears you down. She shouts for Leon whenever she’s grabbed by enemies. She turns tense encounters into babysitting. It’s just enough, honestly. Sure, the remake gave her more of a personality, but it barely got rid of the aftertaste.
2. Mary Linton From Red Dead Redemption 2
We all love a romance that only blossoms when someone needs something. Mary may bring out a softer side of Arthur, but she also only ever returns when she needs help. It doesn’t take long to understand why Arthur still cares, but it takes even less time to tell her finally off in Saint Denis.
3. Kaidan Alenko From Mass Effect
Kaidan is decent. He’s loyal, responsible, and heaven knows he’s something to look at. But his romance can feel strangely heavy in a trilogy full of stronger personalities. His doubts about Shepard also come across as moralizing when we’ve already saved the galaxy. For anyone who wants emotional support instead of another interrogation, Kaidan is more tiring than comforting.
Alex from Calgary, Canada on Wikimedia
4. Anora From Dragon Age: Origins
Anora is politically sharp, but romancing (or even supporting) her can feel less like affection and more like some kind of contractual obligation. She weighs every decision around power and survival, which makes her compelling but not especially warm.
Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
5. Triss Merigold From The Witcher Series
Triss Merigold has a long history with Geralt, and we appreciate her undeniable charm. What we don’t appreciate, however, is how complicated her romance is. The Witcher 2 especially makes the relationship uncomfortable because Geralt’s past with Yennefer is kept at a distance. Even when Triss is sympathetic, the emotional mess can make the romance feel manipulative.
Victoria Romanova on Wikimedia
6. Yennefer Of Vengerberg From The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Speaking of Yennefer, we might as well talk about how powerful she is. And she is, but she’s also cold. So cold, in fact, that she makes Geralt look like a wimp by comparison. Her sharp commands and her treatment of others show why some players find her hard to warm up to. Thank goodness the chemistry’s there!
7. Anders From Dragon Age II
Anders starts as a passionate healer with a tragic cause, but his romance becomes increasingly consumed by obsession and extremism. His bond with Justice changes him into someone who just pushes Hawke toward emotional turmoil. Once he basically destroys Kirkwall Chantry, that so-called romance is nothing more than a disaster.
8. River Ward From Cyberpunk 2077
Alright, yes, River is a good man, but that doesn’t mean his romance plot is any good. If anything, his arc can feel surprisingly stiff compared with the rest of Night City’s energy. Compared with Judy, Panam, and Kerry, Ward feels underwritten rather than unforgettable.
9. Astarion From Baldur’s Gate 3
Nope. Sorry, fandom. We can all acknowledge Astarion’s incredible story while also admitting that he’s awful in the first chapter. Early on, all he does is get giddy at the thought of cruelty, manipulation, or selfish choices, and for a lot of players, it was easier to leave him in camp than to experience constant disapproval. It’s hard to convince players that they really need to hang on for it to get good.
10. Liara T’Soni From Mass Effect
Liara’s one of Mass Effect’s most important characters, but she’s also a victim of the game’s early romance pacing. Weirdly, she goes from curious researcher to deeply attached partner with surprising speed, especially in the first game. We’ll get on board with the long-term arc, but her initial romance just feels forced.
11. Morrigan From Dragon Age: Origins
Morrigan is one of the series’ most memorable options, but she’s also brutally difficult to love. She just sits around and mocks compassion, disapproves of selfless choices, and keeps major secrets until she literally can’t anymore. You’re constantly earning trust from someone who treats vulnerability like a weakness.
12. Princess Elise From Sonic The Hedgehog 2006
Hilariously, Sonic had love interests, too! Princess Elise, to be specific, though she’s remembered less for chemistry and more for how awkward the romance is. The story asks you to accept a bond between a human princess and Sonic without giving it enough grounding. Don’t even get us started on the infamous kiss scene.
13. Shane From Stardew Valley
Shane’s romance has some emotional weight; there’s no denying that. However, it’s also one of the game’s most frustrating relationships. At the end of the day, you really need to endure this guy before anything happens. Be prepared to push through early rude behavior, too, some that’s even dismissive and openly hostile.
14. Yukari Takeba From Persona 3
Yukari’s a realistic character, but it’s that very realism that also makes her difficult to romance. Or, frankly, even want to romance. She pushes people away, snaps at the group, and takes a long time to become emotionally open. Her arc has value, but if you prefer a little warmth with your partner, you’ll find this slow thaw more draining than satisfying.
15. Rinoa Heartilly From Final Fantasy VIII
Say what you want about her, but Rinoa’s impulsive choices create problems the whole party has to solve—which is annoying before we even dive into the romance stuff. Once you woo her, the whole thing becomes rushed once the plot starts leaning on it. The relationship feels like it’s taking over the game rather than strengthening it.
Jeremy Eades from Hiratsuka, Japan on Wikimedia
16. Sebastian From Stardew Valley
We know, we know! Sebastian has a loyal fan base! But that doesn’t make his romance any less annoying! If you don’t enjoy chasing someone who’s constantly detached, give him a pass. In reality, all he does for a good chunk of the game is hide in his room and complain about small-town life.
17. Steve Burnside From Resident Evil Code: Veronica
Steve Burnside is written as a young man under pressure, but his crush on Claire is just plain uncomfortable. His jealousy and awkward flirting make several scenes harder to take seriously. What makes it worse is that his tragic story lands better than the romance, so it just feels forced into a survival horror.
Cozinhando Fantasias on Wikimedia
18. Gale From Baldur’s Gate 3
Yeah, that’s right. We’re coming for Gale, too. Look, we all know he’s charming and handsome, but he’s also a weapons-grade yapper, and his romance is pretty bogged down until Act 2. (You can’t even really romance him until then!) His history with Mystra hangs over the relationship, too, and his tendency to drone on and on is a huge turn-off for some would-be partners.
19. Sarah From Starfield
The biggest issue with Sarah is that she reacts way too strongly to choices that fall outside her moral comfort zone. In a game built around freedom, her disapproval can make you feel pretty monitored during missions, and it’s hard to get excited about Jimminy Cricket.
20. Jacob Taylor From Mass Effect 2
Jacob’s storyline doesn’t give the relationship enough spark to be rewarding. He keeps Shepard at a distance, speaks in clipped emotional terms, and doesn’t have the memorable tension that stronger companions bring. Worst of all, he just moves on in Mass Effect 3, which makes the whole arc an even worse investment.
