It’s Valentine’s Day – the day when love is all around – so what better time is there to take a look at love stories in video games?
A true romance is essential to the plot of every narrative-driven video game. You might have a great plot and strong gameplay, but you know something is not quite right if there isn’t a love interest.
Here are some of the most interesting video game couples and how their love came to pass.
Sarah Kerrigan and Jim Raynor (StarCraft)
A key element of the space opera that is StarCraft is the chemistry between Jim Raynor and Sarah Kerrigan, which began in the very first campaign of the original franchise. Their relationship was marked by both love and hatred as they were allies and enemies at different points in the story.
While Raynor is a real space cowboy and as tough as it gets, the Queen of Blades is undoubtedly the true badass in this relationship. Being human then Zerg, then human then Zerg again, Kerrigan eventually turns into a fiery space god and annihilates the evil that is threatening the universe. Finally, she settles on her human form and gets her man, resulting in a classic and satisfying “happily ever after” ending to the saga.
Malfurion, Tyrande and Illidan (Warcraft and World of Warcraft)
Nothing begets more drama than a love triangle.
The three elves grew up together in Suramar and were destined for great things from an early age, but the two twin brothers became enamored with their close friend Tyrande and the elf priestess had to choose between them. However, beautiful and virtuous as she was, the choice between a reckless and obsessive power seeker (Illidan) and the calm stalwart druid disciple (Malfurion) was pretty straightforward.
Pushed away by his beloved, Illidan’s all-consuming yearning eventually led him down the path of destruction, causing him to go against his people, side with demons and ultimately seek power for himself. Despite all this, Illidan never lost the strong feelings for his beloved, even though she had chosen his twin brother over him. This was despite a 10,000-year imprisonment in a lightless prison, banishment from his homeland and a heartbreaking admission from Tyrande that his love was unrequited.
Prince and Farah (Prince of Persia series)
Given the circumstances under which these two first met, it is hard to believe that true love would ensue – after all, his father conquered her kingdom and captured her as a trophy. Forced to work together to deal with a court conspiracy, however, was step one in building a strong bond.
The relationship with Farah helped the young prince grow into a more mature person and near the end of Sands of Time, they both realized that they were in love. However, forced by the turn of events to make a choice, the now ennobled and mature Prince selflessly decides to sacrifice his love for Farah in order to undo the evil of the Vizier by turning back time, erasing Farah’s memory of their love in the process. Thus the next time Farah and the Prince meet, she rejects him.
Fortunately, the love story eventually gets a happy ending in The Two Thrones.
Ezio and Cristina (Assassin’s Creed 2)
Perhaps not one of the most well-known couples in video games, the love story between Ezio and Cristina is about two hearts that are meant to be one but are separated by fate.
The love story begins with a damsel in distress when Ezio saves Cristina from sexual assault at the hands of his rival Vieri. Alas, love was not meant to be as destiny pushes Ezio out of the city of Florence and two years later he finds Cristina betrothed to someone else. Upon the realization that the chores of an everyday assassin, such as killing people and living in hiding, do not provide the best possible environment for romance, Ezio decides to let her go, but only after he has tested her future husband-to-be’s feelings for her.
Fast forward eight years and Ezio tries to reawaken Cristina’s dormant feelings by tricking her into believing that he is her husband, managing to steal a kiss in the process. An aggravated Cristina finds out, however, and feels it is already too late for this love to bloom. At this point it becomes clear that the two will never be together.
Eventually, Ezio gets another chance to hold the love of his life in his arms, but being a little too late to save her from a bunch of Savoranola fanatics raiding her home, yet again he leaves heartbroken, this time with Cristina’s final words “I wish we could have had a second chance” echoing in his head.
Mario and Princess Peach (Super Mario series)
Here we have another case of a damsel in distress.
Mario is one of the most iconic video game characters of all-time and the plumber has been proving his love over and over again over the years. Despite always finding himself in the wrong castle since 1985, Mario never gives up and always manages to save his one true love.
Peach obviously takes pleasure in testing Mario’s heroism on every possible occasion, since being in need of saving is something of a full-time occupation of hers. For his efforts, Mario is usually rewarded with a kiss on the cheek, a cake, the pleasure of going for a ride outside, or playing some tennis with his beloved. A truly dedicated man indeed.
