10 of Xbox’s Most Romantic Moments 

Valentine’s Day is here, and romance is in the air – and in your Xbox. While gaming romances are not something you might think about first when you open your Xbox console, Xbox has hosted many very romantic stories throughout the years. These include young love and multi-game relationship, as well as bittersweet tragedy. 

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite romantic moments in gaming from across the years, to help you get into the Valentine’s spirit. Warning! Warning!: 

Sea of Thieves – Wild Rose Tall Tale 

Sea of Thieves has become a more romantic place than you might expect for a pirate adventure sandbox – it’s been home to real-life meet-cutes and marriages, and even the game’s quests themselves have been known to err towards the romantic, too. That’s never clearer than in Wild Rose, a Tall Tale that leads players on the path of lost lovers George and Rose. 

Having gone missing just before their wedding day, you and your crew use scattered diaries to learn how Geroge and Rose fell in love, got engaged, buried their treasured memories (they’re still pirates after all), had their first argument, danced their first dance, and, heartwrenchingly, met a tragic end. Your adventures bring them back together, and they will dance for ever. It’s a bittersweet, but ultimately lovely reunion. 

Rare has even uploaded the Tale’s soundtrack to Spotify if you want to relive the romance – why not use it as a soundtrack for the rest of this article? – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

The Outer Worlds – Parvati and Junlei  

Each of the six NPC companions in The Outer Worlds will at some point ask you to help out with their personal escapades, but Parvati’s is simply delightful. Parvati, Junlei and their ship repair engineer will come across you on your travels. Sparks fly when Parvati invites you to join her romantic sidequests. This includes traversing the galaxy in search of good food and an elegant outfit. 

One more delicate, unique element of Parvati’s fondness for Junlei is that she confesses to be asexual, and expresses that the more physically intimate parts of romance don’t interest her. Parvati is worried about how this may affect their relationship but, in the end, the feelings blossom and Parvati’s sexuality is not the hindrance she presumed it may be. It is rare to see a strong representation of love and affection by an asexual in games. This game is probably one of my favorite. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor

Dragon Age: Inquisition – Romancing Dorian 

While gaming romances can be undeniably romantic, very few people feel the same. It is importantDorian Pavus tells a compelling tale. The Tevinter mage is fantastic RPG companion – a mixture of wit, increasingly lovable arrogance, and deeply powerful magic – but taking on his personal sidequests reveal a character far more nuanced than that first impression 

Dorian’s homeland, and his family, are subject to a repressive regime that shunned him, in part for his sexuality. BioWare’s writing of an openly gay character remains a benchmark for gaming as a whole – a character for whom sexual identity isn’t an incidental detail, but key to his story. Dorian’s love life allows him to openly embrace a portion of himself that he had never imagined. It is an important moment for LGBTQ representation within gaming. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

Persona 5 Royal – Looking for love?

Love is unpredictable and messy. I think that’s the appeal of love: Persona Style. Your character gradually grows closer to other characters through a series 10 conversations. They’ll even call you first! Sure you may have to jump into the Metaverse to solve all their problems on a quick side mission, but after that, it’s up to you if you want to keep things in the friend zone or take it to the next level. No rejection, no hard feelings, just a series of cute dates at the aquarium or Tokyo Skytree, and – for that very special someone – a thoughtful gift from the Shibuya Underground Mall. Even the dateless don’t spend Valentine’s Day alone; curry and coffee with your bros? There are worse things. – Jeff Rubenstein, Xbox Podcast

It takes two – May and Cody’s Reconnection 

Cooperation sits at the heart of It Takes Two — and it’s the perfect game to play with a loved one. Protagonists May and Cody are two parents planning to get divorced, before they’re unceremoniously transformed into small toys and forced to work together to get back into their original bodies. 

Cody and May are seen destroying the elephant that belonged to their child to make them cry. It makes sense in the context of the story, but it’s a tearful moment that sees our bickering couple driven to the very edge of what they will do for their family. 

In the end, May and Cody’s relationship is rekindled, and the stuffed elephant that they mutilated in their madness is also stitched back up, almost as effortlessly as their marriage. This is an amazing story of romance between soulmates. However, there’s a touch of chaos as well, which should be expected in all good relationships. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor

Stardew Valley – Married Life

You might Take a look at these ideas Stardew Valley is about building and tending to the perfect farm, but what it’s actually about is finding love. There are a variety of candidates for the game. You must build a lasting relationship with them by focusing on their needs over time.  

As in real life, Stardew Valley’s bachelors and bachelorettes are willing to work hard for your affection. From requesting gifts of friendship that earn you their trust, until they receive flowers, you will need to give them gifts. Once they agree, you will be able to put more effort until your farm is ready for you.  

That’s it, you’ve won right? No. To keep your spouse happy you must work each day. In return, they may help with chores around the farm or make dinner. They’ll also bring a unique space with them, which may entail horrible wallpaper or ugly clutter that you just have to deal with.  

But that’s what love is about. It’s ultimately not about grand performances or fairy tale romances. It’s about the little things, the daily graft, and an ongoing exchange of small gestures that say “I love you,” no matter how much mud you traipse through the house (looking at you, Shane.) – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor

Psychonauts 2 – The Meeting of Minds 

Lili and Raz are gaming’s embodiment of young love, kids who know they feel something for one another but haven’t yet learned quite how to express it just yet. In this very early stage of their relationship, their puppy love is adorable. Psychonauts 2. 

Raz questions Lili about how she managed to unlock a locked door with her mind. She gently puts her forehead to his, explains how this psychic key works, and Raz smiles at getting to be close to her – then she punches him in the arm, tells him he’s dead if he tells anyone else how to do it, and runs off. The grin left on Raz’s face says everything – it’s a wonderful evocation of the first flush of romance. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

Monkey Island: Return – Bumping Into Elaine 

Unlike many of the entries on this list, the story of Guybrush and Elaine isn’t about falling in love, it’s about beingIn love. The couple’s unconditional support of one another – Guybrush of Elaine’s charitable work, and Elaine of Guybrush’s bonkers quest to find a secret treasure that may or may not exist – leads them to spend a lot of time apart, but their love never dims. 

Guybrush and Elaine will often come across each other throughout the game. They will be delighted to meet again. My favorite example remains the very first: “I was hoping you’d turn up in this story,” says Guybrush. “I was hoping you’d turn up in mine,” replies Elaine. It’s understated, it’s appropriately meta, and it serves as a wonderful continuation of this series-long romance. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

Grim Fandango Remastered – Meeting Meche 

There’s no Grim Fandango without Mercedes “Meche” Colomar. Her driving force is what Manny Calavera does throughout the four-year adventure of Tim Schafer’s classic, timeless adventure game.  

This is the story of a true love story. Grim FandangoThis tale is full of romance, intrigue and double-crosses. It begins as Manny’s selfish attempt to cover his own sins. Soon, the story becomes about a man who is determined to right a wrong and eventually find love. 

But it’s that first encounter in Manny’s office, shortly after he “steals” Meche from his co-worker at the Department of Death, that we feel there might be something in the air between these two. It’s in that true film noir setup, the classic “And then – she walked in…” moment, giving us instant mystery to her and the larger world that Grim FandangoIt exists. Manny suddenly has purpose. This is something Manny has sought before we met him.  

And then… she’s gone. 

All is not lost. Meche’s arrival is what sets the wheels in motion for Manny to learn that there may be some hope left for him after all — maybe even love — here in the Land of the Dead. – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor

The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine – Yennefer Moves In 

The Blood and Wine expansion is a multi-hour farewell to the Continent’s favorite monster slayer, wrapping up three full games of the saga of Geralt of Rivia. It’s appropriately fairy tale-themed and, if you’ve chosen to stay true to his first true love, it’s also a fairy tale ending for long-time sorceress and love interest Yennefer. 

As you approach the end of the expansion, Yennefer will unexpectedly move into Geralt’s new vineyard home of Corvo Bianco, and the two lovers begin to finally settle into a true life together, uninterrupted by unexpected sidequests, dangerous contracts, or world-threatening incursions. As they sit down together to discuss the weather and their futures, they reminisce about their lives. It’s just… peaceful, and it ends perfectly: 

“Talk again later?”, says Geralt. “Of course, I’m not going anywhere,” Yennefer replies with a smile. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief