Love is in the air, and this week’s top 10 list is a tribute to all that lovey dovey stuff. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s no better way of honoring the holiday than by counting down the top 10 unlikely videogame romances. Sure, sometimes two people are just meant for each other, but occasionally romance can be pretty sneaky. Maybe there really is something behind that whole “opposites attract” theory…
10) Meryl & Johnny
There was obviously some chemistry between Snake and Meryl in the original Metal Gear Solid, but ultimately, it led nowhere. In Metal Gear Solid 4, Meryl ends up with another love interest: Johnny. The two don’t exactly get off on the right foot, though, as Meryl, a capable squad leader, is tough on Johnny for being so clumsy and ineffective. It’s odd to think a romance would bloom between the two over the course of the game, but that’s exactly what happens.
9) Locke & Celes
In Final Fantasy VI, Locke is a thief with a vendetta against the Empire for destroying his hometown. Despite his ire, he ends up saving Celes, who was once a general of the Empire. He sees that she was being exploited and vows to protect her. After the World or Ruin incident in the middle of the game, Celes begins to better understand her own feelings for Locke, resulting in a relationship between an enemy of the Empire and the Empire incarnate.
8.) Max Payne & Mona Sax
Max Payne is a detective. Mona Sax is an assassin. There are certainly some conflicting interests there, but in Max Payne 2 the title character still goes out of his way to protect Mona. In fact, things get pretty physical a few times. Looks like Max Payne isn’t too concerned with the mystery surrounding Mona, and the romance somehow stays intact even after the two are eventually pitted against one another.
7) Guybrush Threepwood & Elaine Marley
Guybrush, an aspiring pirate, falls in love with Elaine, the governor of the Tri-Island Area, almost immediately in The Secret of Monkey Island. And despite his rescue attempt after her capture, Elaine seems more than capable of taking care of herself. On top of that, the two have little interaction with each other during the game, but Elaine somehow still falls for Guybrush. Perhaps it’s just the courage Guybrush shows by coming to her aid, but love manages to find its way into this quirky relationship.
6) Tidus & Yuna
Tidus, Final Fantasy X‘s protagonist, is an eccentric blitzball player, while Yuna is a quiet and reserved summoner. When the two join up, however, the romance starts to build despite their personalities being almost polar opposites. Tidus does start to rub off on Yuna, allowing her to gradually open up, and before long they’re engaging in hilariously awful laughing exercises. Surely that’s love.
5) Hana & Rain
Though Hana and Rain are the two least recognizable names on this list, the romance between the two characters is one of the most unique to video games. Fear Effect 2‘s female protagonist, Hana, is in a relationship with another female, Rain, throughout the course of the game. The idea of a lesbian couple in general isn’t unlikely, but as far as video games are concerned it’s unheralded. Nevertheless, the strong relationship wasn’t included just for the sake of exciting male gamers, but as a poignant plot device that ties the game together.
4) Ico & Yorda
The minimalistic approach in the game Ico translates to the relationship between the title character and Yorda. The two never speak a word to each other, yet the player can sense a special bond forming. The simple act of holding hands and guiding Yorda from one place to the next is enough to propel that relationship throughout the game, showing that actions really do speak louder than words.
3) Wander & Mono
There are some obvious similarities between Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, considering the latter is Ico‘s spiritual successor. The relationships in both games feature no dialogue whatsoever, but Shadow of the Colossus deviates in that one of the characters isn’t even conscious the whole time. Instead, we observe the strength of their relationship by seeing the lengths Wander is willing to go to. Defeating 16 massive colossi to save the person he loves is a monumental task, showing us that romance can be established by just one person’s actions.
2) Mario & Princess Peach
Quite possibly the most famous videogame romance is also a very surprising one. On one hand, you’ve got the odd pairing of an Italian plumber with a princess. Secondly, Mario is always going to great lengths to save Princess Peach, and in the end he isn’t rewarded with much. Don’t you think Princess Peach should say a little more than just “thank you” once in a while? Nevertheless, the romance is obviously there, so Bowser should just lay off for a little while and let them enjoy each other’s company. Right?
1) Chell/You & Weighted Companion Cube
Okay, so this relationship certainly isn’t a romance in the most traditional sense, but there was an unspeakable bond (quite literally) between Chell, the main character in Portal, and the weighted companion cube she comes across. In fact, Chell might as well be considered an extension of you, the player. Surely those of you who played Portal must have felt some kind of spark the first time you picked up that companion cube, and let’s face it, the companion cube’s inevitable fate was devastating. All this from an emotionless object; that’s about as unlikely as it gets.
