Baldur's Gate III
Initial release date: August 3, 2023
Developer: Larian Studios
The player character can be male, female, non-binary, or other, with their sexual characteristics being defined separately to their gender. They can enter relationships with other characters regardless of gender, allowing the character's sexuality and gender identity to be entirely up to the player.
Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear
Initial release date: March 31, 2016
Developer: Beamdog
This game features eight different romanceable characters, four options for female protagonists and six options for male ones. Unlike in the previous game, these romances all go to the point where a legitimate relationship between the companion and the protagonist is formed (in one form or another). There are male and female options regardless of the protagonist's gender.
Captain Schael Corwin and Dorn Il-Khan can be romanced by any gender, Glint Gardnersonson can only be romanced by males.
Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
Initial release date: November 15, 2013
Developer: Beamdog, BioWare, Overhaul Games
The additional romances introduce a same-sex option for protagonists of either gender and come with no racial restrictions. There are three options for female protagonists and two options for male protagonists.
Dorn Il-Khan can be romanced by any gender, Hexxat can only be romanced by females.
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
Initial release date: November 28, 2012
Developer: Overhaul Games
A story-driven 90s RPG set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Customize your hero, recruit a party of brave allies, and explore.
The Enhanced Edition adds three companions the protagonist can get closer with, but these romances only act as an introduction to the ones in Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. There are two romance options for male characters and two for female characters. Male protagonists get both a male and a female romance option, whereas female protagonists only have male romance options. Dorn Il-Khan can be romanced by any gender.
Cyberpunk 2077
Initial release date: December 10, 2020
Developer: CD Projekt RED, CD Projekt, CDP.pl
Cyberpunk 2077 has a twist on the traditional gender choice in the character creator, with options instead to choose V's voice, body type, and genitals independently, with their overall gender identity being determined by which voice they have. V has four main love interests, two of whom (Judy and Kerry) can only be romanced by V with both a voice and body type of the same gender as them, while the other two (Panam and River) only require V to have a body type of the opposite gender as them. Meredith Stout is also available as a one-night stand for anyone.
The character creator allows V to be transgender or non-binary.
The Sims 4
Initial release date: September 2, 2014
Developer: Maxis
In The Sims 4, same-sex relationships are possible, as in the previous games, and same-sex couples can marry and adopt on equal terms with opposite-sex couples. Same-sex couples are also allowed to have a biological child together through CAS (including the 'manage households' option). You will have the option to select from 'they/them', 'she/her', 'he/him', or 'Custom Pronouns'. If you select 'Custom Pronouns' you will be able to define five different grammatical forms for your custom pronouns.
The Technomancer
Initial release date: June 28, 2016
Developer: Spiders
Zachariah, the player character, can choose to romance Andrew, one of the male companions available in the game. Two female companions, Amelia and Niesha, are also able to be romanced by the player.
Interestingly, the achievements for romancing Amelia and Niesha are both named after puns that refer to their respective backstories, whereas the achievement for romancing Lucky is simply titled "Soulmate".
Starfield
Initial release date: September 6, 2023
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom.
Starfield's inclusivity extends to LGBT+ players, with the option to choose he/him, she/her, or they/them pronouns, as well as the ability to pursue romance regardless of the character's gender.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Initial release date: March 20, 2025
Developer: Ubisoft, Ubisoft Quebec
Both playable protagonists (Yasuke and Naoe) have romanceable characters — Naoe can romance Gennojo and Katsuhime; Yasuke can romance Ibuki and Lady Oichi. Romance choices are shown by heart icons in dialogue; Canon Mode disables romances.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Initial release date: November 10, 2020
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Assassin's Creed: Valhalla continues this trend with both male and female Eivor, now with the option for Eivor to enter an official relationship with one love interest, a change from the series of flings allowed to Kassandra and Alexios.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Initial release date: October 2, 2018
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Quebec
The player can play as either Alexios or his sister Kassandra. Throughout the game, the player can interact with many men and women romantically. This will not change or have limits based on the character picked, meaning either sibling can have romantic and sexual relationships with a person of the same and/or opposite gender throughout the game.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Initial release date: March 21, 2017
Developer: BioWare, BioWare Montreal
Mass Effect: Andromeda allows a male Ryder to romance Jaal, Gil or Reyes, or a female Ryder to romance Peebee, Vetra or Suvi. Jaal was originally an exclusively heterosexual option but criticisms about the game's lackluster Gay Options for male Ryder prompted BioWare to update his romance in a patch.
Mass Effect 3
Initial release date: March 6, 2012
Developer: BioWare, Straight Right
Five characters express romantic interest in the player character Shepard, regardless of their gender.
Specialist Samantha Traynor and Lieutenant Steve Cortez are only interested in Shepard if they are of the same gender.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Initial release date: October 31, 2024
Developer: BioWare
Players are able to select Rook's pronouns (she/her, he/him, and they/them are all options), sexual characteristics, and gender separately. They can also enter relationships with other characters regardless of gender, allowing the character's sexuality and gender identity to be entirely up to the player. In addition, genderfluid actor Erika Ishii provides one of Rook's in-game voice options.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Initial release date: November 18, 2014
Developer: BioWare
Dragon Age: Inquisition has Dorian and Iron Bull for male inquisitiors, and Josephine and Sera for females. Scout Harding can also be flirted with regardless of gender.
Dragon Age II
Initial release date: March 8, 2011
Developer: BioWare
A refugee seeking to escape the darkspawn-plagued land of Ferelden and become Champion of Kirkwall. Rise to power and fight epic battles.
The game has four bisexual romances in the main game, one exclusively-straight DLC party member and one DLC bisexual Guest-Star Party Member.
Dragon Age: Origins
Initial release date: November 2, 2009
Developer: BioWare
In Dragon Age: Origins your romantic options include Zevran, a male Depraved Bisexual elf, and Leliana, a bisexual woman, who all PCs can romance. You can also have a threesome with Zevran and an old flame of his, a female pirate, as an alternate method of getting one of the Specialization classes. You can also do this scene with Leliana if you are romancing her, or a foursome with you, Zevran, Leliana, and the aforementioned pirate. The Human Noble origin can have an optional encounter with the son of a minor lord or an elven maidservant, again, regardless of the character's gender. And there are sex workers at the Pearl that the PC can hire regardless of anyone's genders.
Fallout 4
Initial release date: November 10, 2015
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
The player character, "Sole Survivor", starts in a relationship with a wife (if the player chooses to be male) or a husband (if the player chooses to be female). Showing the primary character is at least straight, however, the "Sole Survivor" can romance their companions, regardless of their sex.
There are 12 companions, and the player character can romance specific companions (Preston, Piper, Hancock, Curie, Danse, MacCready, and Cait, as well as Gage with Nuka-World DLC) regardless of gender.
Fallout 2
Initial release date: 1998
Developer: Black Isle Studios, The Omni Group
Explore a vast wasteland, devastated by nuclear war, in this open-world multiplayer addition to the Fallout story.
Fallout 2 was the first game in the series to introduce same-sex romance options. The Chosen One can romance and marry Davin and Miria, two siblings residing in the town of Modoc. If the player chooses to sleep with either of them, their father Grisham will burst into the room to initiate a "shotgun wedding". The Bishop crime family is accepting of same-sex relationships. If the Chosen One joins the family, John Bishop says he can get "glitterboys" for male players and references "swinging the other way" for female players.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Initial release date: November 11, 2011
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, there are a number of characters the player can propose to and marry. None of the prospective loves take gender or even species into account. However, while there's a perk that allows you to get better prices from a merchant of the other gender, there's no way to seduce merchants of the same gender as your character, even if you have a same-gender partner.
Enderal: The Shards of Order/Forgotten Stories
Initial release date: July 3, 2016
Developer: SureAI
Enderal is a total conversion mod for Skyrim, includes two bisexual companion characters (Jespar and Calia) who can be romanced by a male or female Player Character. The Forgotten Stories update adds another more minor female love interest (also bisexual) in the new Golden Sickle side questline.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Initial release date: September 2, 2021
Developer: Owlcat Games
The game has a number of options for same-gender romance, with Wenduag, Arueshalae, and Queen Galfrey for women, and Daeran and Sosiel for men. Additionally, player characters of any gender who are on the Demon Mythic Path can become the consort of the Demon Lord Nocticula.
Saints Row
Initial release date: June 10, 2022
Developer: Deep Silver Volition
The rebooted Saints Row re-tells the origins of the 3 rd Street Saints, a gang that fought against rivals to take over the cities of Stilwater and Steelport.
The player can decide the sexuality of The Boss through the available romance options. Kevin is a pansexual and has mutual romantic feelings for The Boss.
Saints Row IV
Initial release date: August 20, 2013
Developer: Deep Silver Volition, High Voltage Software
Saints Row IV allows you to screw any member of your crew at the push of a single button — the men, the women, and the floating spherical robot — regardless of the Boss's gender. Except for Keith David, he just wants to keep things professional. And Ben King, which pulls a Bait-and-Switch where the Boss seemingly builds up to a Love Confession, but really just wants to ask King to sign their copy of his book.
GreedFall
Initial release date: September 10, 2019
Developer: Spiders
Explore uncharted new lands as you set foot on a remote island seeping with magic, and filled with riches, lost secrets, and fantastic creatures.
Vasco and Siora can be romanced regardless of the player character's gender, while the other characters are heterosexual.
Divinity: Original Sin II
Initial release date: September 14, 2017
Developer: Larian Studios, Elverils
No matter your character's gender, or the gender of the character you want to hook up with, you can romance any of your companions if you so desire. One sidequest also has an Optional Sexual Encounter with a High-Class Call Girl (or boy), whose gender is determined by the PC's stated preference.
Hades
Initial release date: December 10, 2019
Developer: Supergiant Games
Zagreus, the rebellious child of Hades, was described by the game's writer and designer Greg Kasavin to be "bisexual or pansexual" to fit with the game's Greek setting. His romance options include the god of death Thanatos, and Megaera of the Fury Sisters, which he can pursue independently or romance at the same time, beginning a polyamorous relationship. In the game, Zagreus also seems to briefly flirt with Achilles once.
Life is Strange 2
Initial release date: September 26, 2018
Developer: Don't Nod, Feral Interactive
Life is Strange 2 is the story of two Hispanic brothers, Sean and Daniel, who flee from Seattle U.S. after their father is tragically shot by a police officer. When witnessing their father's death, Daniel's dormant “Telekinesis” is awoken but he loses his memory of the event after the brothers run away. During Episode 3 "Wastelands" Sean can pursue either Cassidy or Finn romantically. If Sean begins a relationship with either of them, they can be seen with Sean in the "Parting Ways" ending.
The Quarry
Initial release date: June 10, 2022
Developer: Supermassive Games
When the sun goes down on the last night of summer camp, nine teenage counselors are plunged into an unpredictable night of horror.
The Quarry features nine playable characters, six of whom are neatly paired off in male/female couples (of varying stability). Of the remaining three characters, Kaitlyn and Dylan are both established as having crushes on Ryan, and the player has a certain amount of agency in choosing which if either he reciprocates towards. (For example, one of Ryan's playable segments involves a game of truth or dare; picking "dare" will give you the choice to kiss one of them.) Interestingly though, while all three characters receive an equal amount of individual focus, Ryan and Dylan actually get far more shared scenes and interaction than Ryan and Kaitlyn, whose Ship Tease is largely relegated to Kaitlyn telling other people about her interest in Ryan when he's not there. It's Downplayed in either case since all the game's romantic arcs more or less fizzle out by the end, but it's nevertheless an interesting inversion of the usual situation where the Straight Option receives a lot of focus and the Gay Option is more hidden away.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Initial release date: February 4, 2025
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II allows Henry to initiate a romance with Hans Capon through a series of dialogue choices. Henry can also have a brief romantic encounter with another male character, Black Bartosch, in addition to a number of female romance options.
Expeditions: Rome
Initial release date: January 20, 2022
Developer: Logic Artists
Determine the destiny of Rome as you conquer foreign lands and navigate political intrigue in this turn-based RPG.
Expeditions: Rome has two straight (Julia Calida, Cleopatra, Cato and Bestia) and one bisexual (Deianera and Caeso) romance options of each gender.
Expeditions: Viking
Initial release date: April 27, 2017
Developer: Logic Artists
Circa 790 AD. A small band of Norse warriors lands on the shores of England. History may have forgotten their names, but their actions live on.
Ketill is a hunter, a childhood friend and a companion of the main character. He can be romanced regardless of player character's gender. Roskva is a bisexual witch, a companion and a potential romantic interest of the main character, regardless of their gender.
Tell Me Why
Initial release date: August 27, 2020
Developer: Don't Nod
Tyler and his twin sister Alyson travel to their childhood home in Alaska and must come to terms with their childhood. The game will also deal with how Tyler, who has transitioned since leaving home, is being affected. Dontnod worked with GLAAD to help create the character. Tyler can potentially start a relationship with Alyson's best friend Michael.
Rune Factory 5
Initial release date: May 20, 2021
Developer: Hakama Inc.
As the newest ranger of a peacekeeping organization known as SEED, protect your community by rounding up rowdy monsters and going on special missions.
In the original release of the game, players could only date/marry characters of the opposite gender. When the game released in English, German, and French in 2022, the localizers modified the game to make every romanceable character available for either gender protagonist. The Japanese version was later patched to allow this too.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Initial release date: December 13, 2011
Developer: Electronic Arts, BioWare, Broadsword, Broadsword Online Games, Inc, Bioware Austin LLC
While the base game of Star Wars: The Old Republic only has straight romance options, this changed in the expansions: Rise of the Hutt Cartel allows Republic players of any gender to have a minor romance with archaeologist Lemda Avesta, and male Empire players to have a minor romance with disgraced sith Lord Cytharat. Shadow of Revan introduces the first full same-gender romance options in SIS agent Theron Shan and sith lord Lana Beniko, both of whom can be romanced regardless of gender or faction. Both Theron and Lana's romances can be continued — or started, if they weren't romanced in the previous expansion — in Knights of the Fallen Empire and Knights of the Eternal Throne, with the addition of rebel pilot Koth Vortena as another potential love interest regardless of gender or faction. Optionally redeemed Big Bad Arcann was also made romanceable by anyone once KotET was completed. Onslaught and its prelude Jedi Under Siege introduce two new potential love interests who can be flirted with regardless of gender: Jedi Knight Tau Idair for Republic players, and Imperial Major Anri for Empire players. Additionally, upon their return during the expansion, several base game love interests who were previously only romanceable by an opposite-sex player character can now start a new romance with a same-sex player character, and several base game companions who were previously not romanceable at all can now start a new romance with player characters of any gender.
Tyranny
Initial release date: November 10, 2016
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Homosexuality is very normalized in the world of Tyranny, with a number of characters, both major and minor, indicating same-sex attraction to the Fatebinder and/or other characters. In the base game, the player and Verse can admit to having feelings for each other, and, depending on your choices in the prologue, the player can hire brothel workers of both genders. The Bastard's Wound DLC adds Optional Sexual Encounters with Verse and Barik as part of their new personal quests, as well as a (repeatable) random encounter involving an aphrodisiac plant, which Eb or Kills-in-Shadow will be willing to help the Fatebinder out with, provided they have high enough loyalty.
Dragon's Dogma
Initial release date: May 22, 2012
Developer: Capcom
The Arisen can romance nearly any NPC in the game by raising their affinity levels through completing quests, giving gifts, or simply talking to the NPC constantly. The NPC with the highest affinity for the player becomes involved in the final boss fight which leads to some unfortunate players, unaware of the romance mechanic, wondering why their true love is an old blacksmith or innkeeper.
Fable III
Initial release date: October 26, 2010
Developer: Lionhead Studios
Fable III is the next blockbuster installment in the highly praised Fable franchise. Lead a revolution to take control of Albion, fight alongside your people.
Players can adopt children from an orphanage that becomes available about half-way through the story quests and sending them to live with their husband/wife. Wedding ceremonies can now also be set in chosen locations leading to a short scene where the officiator announces you "husband and husband" or "wife and wife".
Haven
Initial release date: December 3, 2020
Developer: The Game Bakers
The game's story is about a couple who flee their home because their society doesn't allow them to be together. As of the March 2022 "Couples Update", the protagonists, Yu and Kay, can be chosen to be in a heterosexual, lesbian or gay relationship.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
Initial release date: August 27, 2025
Developer: Marvelous
Here you'll grow crops and raise animals, get to know the locals, and sell your wares at the town's bazaar to restore it to its former glory.
All the 12 characters available can be romanced by any gender.
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life
Initial release date: June 27, 2023
Developer: Marvelous
The player character can use he/him, she/her, or they/them pronouns, and there are no gender restrictions on the player character's appearance or clothing.
The player can romance any romanceable character with no gender-based restrictions.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
Initial release date: October 17, 2019
Developer: Marvelous, Bullets Co., Ltd.
In the Japanese version, the "Best Friends" system allows the player character to "form a lifelong partnership with a character of the same sex." In the North American and European versions, the player character can marry characters of the same gender, and unique dialogue lines are added to acknowledge it as a same-gender relationship.
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