Best Romances in Horror Games

Highlights

• Video games have the ability to create authentic and masterful romances within the horror genre, pushing the boundaries of reality and showcasing genuine love amidst terrifying circumstances.
• Romances in horror video games can defy death and redemption, allowing characters to find love and affection even in the face of supernatural threats.
• The inclusion of diverse and queer relationships in horror video games, such as the relationship between Dylan and Ryan in The Quarry, provides a refreshing and intimate portrayal of love in the genre.

The horror genre, at times, gets saturated with flat sexual conquests or inauthentic “love stories” that unfold ungracefully on screen. Yet, in video games, some worthy romances conquer the atrocities, fears, and ghoulish creatures and forces thrown at its characters.

Romances that push the bounds of reality, existentialism, and within the sublime. The sheer tenacity of terror, the single strand of glimmering hope to survive, and the selflessness required of true love put these romances at the top of some of the most masterful and cinematic-inspired romances in horror video games.

6 Until Dawn

Chris & Ashley

A distinct feature of this thrilling slasher-inspired game is its auto-save function, which cements all outcomes in the game, permanently. Until Dawn focuses on the mysterious death of two sisters, their vengeful demented brother, and their complicated “friend” group of friendly exes and lovers scorned. In grief, apprehension, and stomach-dropping fear, several romances are highlighted and explored throughout the game: Emily and Matt, Ashley and Chris, Emily and Mike, and Mike and Jessica.

However, Chris and Ashley’s relationship represents a classic crush scenario that pairs beautifully with the unconventional wrath and unhinged deadly antics that occur on Blackwood Mountain. Surviving the brutal supernatural elements of the lodge and surrounding woods plagues all the characters uniquely, yet for Ashley and Chris’ relationship, their affection builds with each logical and empathetic decision a player makes. Even when confronted with Wendigos, strangers, and murderous psychos, Chris and Ashley showcase genuine reciprocity in their unspoken affection for each other. Their forlorn stares, adrenaline-infused glances, and passionate kisses play to normal slasher movie arcs while defying death and allowing redemption and temperance to guide their love. Until Dawn sticks out as a dynamic perspective on entanglements, enmeshment, and the terror of loving and unrequited love.

5 The Quarry

Dylan & Ryan

The Quarry rattles the typical camp slasher horror genre by blending murder mystery with the supernatural and the authentic fear of the local community. At Hackett’s Quarry, all nine central characters play in the game’s choose-your-own-adventure format, offering fans up to 186 different possible story endings. One of those pivotal choices involves the subtle budding relationships revolving around fellow camp counselor Ryan. During the truth or dare segment of the game, Ryan is prompted to choose either Truth Or Dare, with Dare giving players the option to kiss Dylan or Kaitlyn.

As queer representation in video games remains sorely lacking, in The Quarry, it’s a refreshing display of affection for fans who choose to indulge in Dylan and Ryan’s relationship as the monsters and locals in and around Hackett Quarry encroach on the group. Although no alternate endings stem from Ryan’s choice, it does add intimate flare to the otherwise flat and expected hetero-normative relationships often seen across all veins of the horror genre.

4 Dante’s Inferno

Dante & Beatrice

In this fresh re-imagination of the archaic epic, Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy,” Dante travels to the depths of Hell to retrieve his love, Beatrice. If going up against the throes of the Devil himself isn’t the ultimate expression of true love, we’re not sure what is. Dante’s Inferno blends the ethereal with the more gray attributes of the Medieval period, allowing players to follow Dante through his tribulations and expansion of holy knowledge and relics.

The action-adventure game engulfs players in a grim undertaking. Amidst the looming and ever-present threats from Lucifer and Death, Dante battles against giant Biblical foes. He experiences the wrath of the seven deadly sins on his descent through the bleak underworld, all while armed with a deadly scythe. Throwing himself to the sword, Dante falls into temptations and failures on his tour through Hell and Purgatory and reaches several stages of spiritual and interpersonal enlightenment for the sake of his beloved.

3 Signalis

Elster & Ariane

Much the futuristic brilliance of Love, Death, + Robots, games like Signalis toy with the concept of existential anxiety, consciousness, the nature of perseverance, and the notion of what constitutes one’s visceral purpose. This chic, macabre survival game introduces a mechanical dystopian war-torn universe where Replikas (androids based on neural human imprints) and Gestalts (natural-born human commanders) maintain galactic outposts, labor forces, and military functions on various worlds. Replika Elster and her Gestalt, Ariane are separated.

Players spend most of the game shifting through memories and fragments of mixed realities as Elster visits Ariane’s memories, better understanding her missing lover. Elster battles degenerated Replikas, discovers countless scores of dead Gestalts, maintains her military skills and mechanical functions, all while relentlessly seeking Ariane in hopes of protecting her and upholding a secret promise. Signalis embodies a stunning lesbian relationship that transcends the cosmic horror and vicious, hopeless mentality that engulfs Ariane and Elster. Elster proves herself to be a genuine lover, regardless of her robotic inception; her desires, vices, memories, and adoration for her Gestalt ring true.

2 Silent Hill 2

James & Maria

Silent Hill has grown into an underground new-age horror classic, proving that fresh game characters can hold motivations outside of fear and fear of the unknown. The Silent Hill franchise is known for leaning into psychological and sublime horror. In Team Silent and Konami’s 2001 release of Silent Hill 2, fans grew attached to the odd relationship that evolves between James Sunderland and the eerily familiar Maria, who echos the appearance of James’ late wife Mary.

As Silent Hill 2 runs taboo themes that press the limits of discomfort, the unorthodox relationship between Maria and James represents the twisted psychological throes of the game. Although tainted love and grief overwhelm James as he battles the likes of Pyramid Head, Maria’s innocence and overall presence in moments of imminent danger pose a menacing question about the power of love and anguish amidst the chaos.

1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt & Yennifer

Geralt of Rivera, notorious for the songs foretelling of his victories and heroics, doubles as a genuine lover. In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, a handful of prime love interest characters are more than throw-away side ventures or narrative devices. Fans can absolutely play Geralt’s more fearlessly loving side. Yet two of the most notable love interests include mages Yennefer and Triss!

As players follow plans to attract and bed either woman, fans can also experience alternate romantic endings for Geralt. The strongest and most shipped version of Geralt’s steamy love life follows his adoration and falling for Yennefer. Coming from broken pasts, tainted relations, and years of pent-up anger against injustices and immorality, Yennefer and Geralt prove to be a match made in sweet chaotic harmony for one another.

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