Romance Options in Video Games

So, what's the general opinion? I, for one, like having romance options in video games. I think it adds another layer of interaction with the game world and makes it more realistic. I'm not saying they should be in all video games, but definitely in some. I think Bioware executes romance perfectly in their games. I know it's a niche market, but what do you guys think?

P.S. Any recommendations are always welcome.

I think it's cool if it's done tastefully. The Persona games (3 and 4) all have cool social interaction portions (including dating) that actually play into the combat and character building elements of the game. Other games that are more about "conquering women" or getting sex as a reward are not great examples (like the first Wticher game).

-Byshop

I absolutely love it in games. I personally think Persona 3 and 4 pulled it off almost flawlessly.

GTA4 was some fun. I wish more game like this.

In mine if I do some some day, it will for sure contain.

Always go for the lesbian option.

When its handled subtly and well - yes, it adds to the game: Done well - ME/ Witcher; Done Badly - Killer is Dead.

Serious answer:I think it's something that should be used more and improved upon. I like to see it in games, but I think some games should be careful with how it makes the in-game characters interact with each other in intimate ways. The shagging in Dragon Age games reminds me of two puppets stuck to each other. At the same time I don't want it to be completely avoided, just improved upon. I'm slightly worried we will head into a direction where every romance option must be some deep connection and games avoid any sex scenes for fear of scorn from some kind of institution. Not all love affairs are about holding hands and a quick peck on the lips. Then having said that, I have found some of the most touching romances i've seen in games hasn't been about literal shag scenes, but the genuine care they have for each other.

Another thing I would like to see is massive in-game changes to the way characters treat you, or recognise your relationship status, plus benefits (or even hindrances) on such romances. A lot of games seem to just tack it on like Skyrim did (the rest benefit on Skyrim was sleeping with spouse was worthless and lacking in substance).

But seriously, I always go for the lesbian option.

I really like it as I find it adds more to the game. Bioware does a pretty good job of it in their games.

I think Skyrim romance options is ok. in Dragon Age... too much imo

I am not interested in romance in videogames but I love paying for hookers in GTA then shooting them after to get back my money.

I'm on the fence. On the one hand, I like that you can develop relationships with certain characters you like into something more. On the other hand, the basis on which this happens seems rather flimsy in a lot of cases. It's often a typical action movie romance. These people don't actually know each other, but they were somehow meant for each other. Not that every relationship has got to be deep and meaningful, but there's often a suggestion of something meaningful and deep, even though there's hardly any basis for that (apart from shared hardship or something).

You're often 'supposed' to hit it off. The characters are often not complex enough that not getting into a relationship is a more sensible option. I would like to see these things not work out in some cases. And if you are going to present a relationship as significant, at least try to add aspects that actually make it significant. Otherwise, don't make it bigger than it is. I liked that I could romance people in the ME games, for example, but I could basically pick whoever I wanted and they would always like me for no particular reason.

Persona 3 and especially Persona 4 handle romance well. it is a direct extension of character growth, rather than giving you women as a 'reward,' and it all directly ties into the mechanics of the game, with your social interactions with other characters directly affecting the options you have available in combat, for example.

Oh and, also, obviously, the best romance option available in video games is Chie Satonaka.

Damn right!

no harm having the option there.

i tend not to go down that road though...for odd reasons.

im mass effect it was because i was the captain of the normandy. call me old fashioned but i dont think its appropriate for the captain to fraternise with crew members.

in witcher 3 (though i havent finished it yet so who knows) i wanted Triss out of the city and i dont like Yen.

@DAUC: THe only ones that should have it are story focused games

Personally not a fan, however I'm hardly going to complain about it.

Could not care one bit about romance options as long as its not required for game progress or forced upon you.

I only like it if it's a properly written romance like in a Final Fantasy game or something like that.

I don't really like it when it's based on generic interactions that have been written as part of an adaptive story like in Mass Effect. Those romances feel largely meaningless to me.

@DAUC:
I don't like them as they tend to be idiotic. The only game's romance options I liked were in Saints 4, and that was just because it was funny-ish.

I wouldn't call them "romance" to start.

They tend to be heavily one-dimensional and focused almost entirely on achieving sexual activity.

Romance is about so many more things than that, it's not even funny. It's kind of ironic how games of all things have distilled the vast ocean of story-telling possibilities surrounding true romance into, what is essentially an "achievement" to unlock for boning all the chicks (or dudes, in later BioWare games).

Romance is about ups AND downs, and keeping the fire alive long after the initial lust has worn off. Romance is essentially what happens after where most games (AFAIK) end the story.