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- Night In The Woods
- Last Chance Media, DBA, Finji
The Best Queer Video Games With LGBTQ+ Content
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- Dragon Age: Inquisition
- BioWare
The range of NPCs that are romanceable is vast and offers bisexual, gay, and lesbian options. The world itself is rich in LGBTQ+ characters, including a relationship between female human Empress Celene of Orlais and female elf Briala that the player's character can help mend. The male mage Dorian is romanceable for male playable characters and fully fleshed as a being, who will enter into a relationship with the male qunari Iron Bull if neither are romanced by the player. The game also includes Cremisius "Krem" Aclassi, a trans man who is BioWare's second trans character in a non-romantic role.
- Released: 2014
- Developer: BioWare
- Genres (Video game): Action role-playing
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
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- Dragon Age: Origins
- Bioware
Regardless of the player character's gender, both the male elf Zevran Arainai and the female human Leliana are romanceable. There are also LGBTQ+ NPC characters, including Wade and Herren, a gay couple who run an armor shop, and female dwarf Branka, the ex-wife of party-character Oghren, in a relationship with another female dwarf Hespith.
- Released: 2009
- Developer: Edge of Reality, BioWare
- Genres (Video game): Role-playing
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
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- Mass Effect 3
- Electronic Arts
With a wider range of romanceable possibilities than earlier Mass Effect games, the player can build a romantic relationship with NPC's the male human Kaidan Alenko, the female humans Kelly Chambers or Diana Allers, and the asari Liara T'Soni or Samara, regardless of their character's gender. Samantha Traynor is only romanceable if the player character is female. Lieutenant Steve Cortez is working past the loss of his husband and is only romanceable if the player character is male.
- Released: 2012
- Developer: Straight Right, BioWare
- Genres (Video game): Third-person Shooter, Action role-playing game
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
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- Life Is Strange
- Square Enix
While the game has received criticism for queer-baiting and death of queer characters, the player's choices allow the storyline to offer different depths of the relationship between Maxine "Max" Caulfield and her friend Chloe Price.
- Released: 2005
- Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
- Genres (Video game): Graphic adventure
- Publisher: Square Enix, Feral Interactive, Black Wing Foundation
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- The Last of Us: Left Behind
- SCEA
In this prequel to The Last of Us, the relationship Ellie has with Riley, which includes a kiss, adds a new dimension to her character in the previous game.
- Released: 2014
- Developer: Naughty Dog
- Genres (Video game): Action-adventure, survival horror
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
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- Night in the Woods
- Alec Holowka
Playable main character Mae is a pansexual who returns to her hometown after dropping out of college. Mae's friends include a gay couple and trans woman, while the themes of the game examine acceptance and repression of identity.
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Alec Holowka, Infinite Fall, Secret Lab
- Genres (Video game): Adventure
- Publisher: Finji
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- The Last of Us
- Sony
A momentary ally to main characters Joel and Ellie, Burley Bill had a previous long-term relationship with another man, Frank. Though he hides their relationship in dialogue, the depth of it is revealed through notes.
- Released: 2013
- Developer: Naughty Dog
- Genres (Video game): Action-adventure game, Survival horror
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
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- Dream Daddy
- Game Grumps
In this romantic visual novel and dating simulation, the player's character is a single dad who moves into a small town full of very romanceable other single dads. Charming art and an abundance of dad jokes round out the playing experience.
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Game Grumps
- Genres (Video game): Visual novel
- Publisher: Game Grumps
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- Life Is Strange: Before the Storm
- Square Enix
The hinted-at relationship between Chole Price and Rachel Amber is at the forefront of this prequel, though it is not the primary storyline.
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Deck Nine
- Genres (Video game): Graphic adventure
- Publisher: Square Enix, Feral Interactive
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- Mass Effect Andromeda
- Electronic Arts
Multiple queer characters include the franchise's first trans character, Hainly Abrams, rounding out a queer gaming experience beyond just who is romanceable. Regardless of the player character's gender, they can romance the female turian Vetra, the male angara Jaal, and the asari Peebee or Keri. If the player's character is female, they can romance Dr. Suvi Anwar, and if the character is male they can romance Gil Brodie.
- Released: 2017
- Developer: BioWare
- Genres (Video game): Action role-playing
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
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- Undertale
- Undertale
Though there are no romanceable options, the unique and memorable world of Undertale is fully populated with LGBTQ+ characters, from gay anthropomorphic armored royal guards in a relationship to a bisexual female reptilian monster scientist to multiple non-binary characters that include the protagonist.
- Released: 2015
- Developer: Toby Fox
- Genres (Video game): Role-playing
- Publisher: Toby Fox
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- Fallout 4/Bethesda Game Studios
- Released: 2015
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Genres (Video game): Action role-playing
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
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- Deck Nine
The main protagonist Alex Chen, is able to romance a man named Ryan Lucan and a woman named Steph Gingrich, and has shown to be romantically interested in both characters. It is also implied that she has dated both male and female characters before the events of the game.
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Deck Nine
- Genres (Video game): Single player, Graphic adventure
- Publisher: Square Enix
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The player's first possible companion is Pavarti, a big-hearted mechanic in Edgewater. If she joins your crew and you follow her story, she eventually reveals to you that she's "not much interested in... physical stuff." The selection of responses available to the player after this statement not only include support for her asexuality, but the option for the player to identify that way themselves.
In addition to Pavarti's ace identity, same-sex relationships are common enough and generally un-remarked upon (offering normalization in representation) in the Outer Worlds universe.
- Released: 2019
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Genres (Video game): Action role-playing
- Publisher: Private Division
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- Mass Effect
- Electronic Arts
The feminine in appearance asari are a mono-gender race; their equivalent bisexuality was what began fleshing out queer romance options for the following Mass Effect series. In this installment, the asari NPC Dr. Liara T'Soni is romanceable no matter the player character's gender.
- Released: 2007
- Developer: Edge of Reality, BioWare, Demiurge Studios
- Genres (Video game): Action Role-playing
- Publisher: Electronic Arts, Microsoft Studios
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- Fallout: New Vegas
- Bethesda
Potential follower Arcade Gannon is openly gay and another potential follower, Rose of Sharon Cassidy, hints at her bisexuality through cheeky dialogue. Veronica Santangelo, another potential follower, is a lesbian, with her identity and previous relationship woven through her character's storyline. If you're playing a female character with a high charisma value, NPC Corporal Betsy will even flirt with you.
- Released: 2010
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Genres (Video game): Shooter game, Action role-playing game, Action game, Role-playing video game, First-person Shooter
- Publisher: Namco Bandai Games, Bethesda Softworks
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In this bright and cheerful visual novel that combines girls' friendships, love, and baseball, the player navigates the relationship of Diya and Min-Seo as they explore and address their feelings for each other.
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Brianna Lei
- Genres (Video game): Visual Novel
- Publisher: itch.io
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- Saints Row 2
- Volition
Although the game mostly falls under the umbrella of LGBTQ+ content provided only through romanceable NPCs with no romantic preferences, the Saints Row games, beginning from Saints Row 2, offer a unique opportunity to the player by offering more than the male/female binary when designing their character. All hair, clothing, movement, and voice options are open to the player's choice, allowing for a spectrum of gender presentation.
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Volition
- Genres (Video game): Shooter, Action, Adventure, Third-person
- Publisher: THQ
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- Gone Home
- The Fullbright Company
In this atmospheric point and click adventure, the player searches through their family home and learns more about their sister Sam's relationship with Lonnie.
- Released: 2013
- Developer: The Fullbright Company
- Genres (Video game): Adventure, Exploration
- Publisher: The Fullbright Company, Majesco Entertainment, Annapurna Interactive
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- Fallout 2
- Bethesda
Featuring the first instance of in-game same sex marriage, the player's character can romance and marry either of the twins Miria or Davin, regardless of the player character's gender. This isometric game from the late '90s was one of the first chances players had to experience LGBTQ+ content in a video game.
- Released: Sep 30 1998
- Developer: Black Isle Studios
- Genres (Video game): Isometric projection, Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, Role-playing video game
- Publisher: Interplay Entertainment
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- Mass Effect 2
- Electronic Arts
Female human NPC Kelly Chambers and the asari Samara and Morinth are romanceable no matter the player character's gender.
- Released: 2010
- Developer: BioWare
- Genres (Video game): Third-person Shooter, Action role-playing game
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
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- Your Royal Gayness
- Lizard Hazard Games
In this story-driven game, the player character is a gay prince who has to manage the kingdom while his parents are away while also courting princes and avoiding princesses.
- Released: 2018
- Developer: Lizard Hazard Games
- Genres (Video game): Visual novel
- Publisher: Lizard Hazard Games
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- Borderlands 2
- 2K Games
Multiple LGBTQ+ characters populate this action role-playing game, from Sir Hammerlock giving a quest to find his ex-boyfriend to the NPC Tiny Tina revealing she has a crush on female characters Mad Moxxi and Maya.
- Released: 2012
- Developer: Gearbox Software, Iron Galaxy Studios
- Genres (Video game): Action role-playing game, First-person Shooter
- Publisher: 2K Games, Sony Computer Entertainment
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- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- LucasArts
The female cathari Juhani is a knight in the Jedi Order and romanceable to female playable characters, making her the first known gay character in the Star Wars universe.
- Released: July 15 2003
- Developer: Aspyr, BioWare
- Genres (Video game): Action role-playing, Adventure, Role-playing, Science Fiction, Fantasy
- Publisher: LucasArts
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- 2K Australia/Gearbox Software
Supporting characters Athena and Springs are a lesbian couple the player encounters who offer multiple main and side story missions.
- Released: 2014
- Developer: 2K Australia, Gearbox Software
- Genres (Video game): First-person Shooter, Action role-playing game
- Publisher: 2K Games
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- Assassin's Creed Syndicate
- Ubisoft Montreal
One of the two protagonists, Jacob Frye, is recently out of a relationship with a male partner. Although his bisexuality isn't explicit in-game, it was confirmed as canon later. Minor character Ned Wynert is a trans man, while a character from previous Assassin's Creed games, Arend Schut Cunningham, talks about his husband.
- Released: 2015
- Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
- Genres (Video game): Action-adventure, stealth
- Publisher: Ubisoft
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- Steven Universe: Save The Light
- Cartoon Network
As with the show itself, LGBTQ+ themes are woven through the story, with Ruby and Sapphire's fusion as Garnet being the most visible queer relationship.
- Released: 2018
- Developer: Grumpyface Studios, Finite Reflection Studios
- Genres (Video game): Action-adventure, role-playing
- Publisher: Cartoon Network Games, Outright Games
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- 2064: Read Only Memories
- Limited Run Games
Set in a future San Francisco, this retro-styled puzzle game includes multiple queer characters, including non-binary characters, and allows you to pick your pronouns - offering he, her, they, xe, ze, and a custom entry pronoun set.
- Released: 2015
- Developer: MidBoss
- Genres (Video game): Graphic adventure
- Publisher: MidBoss
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- My Ex-Boyfriend the Space Tyrant
- Up Multimedia
Guide Captain Tycho Minogue through this puzzle-driven point and click romance and adventure game as he is pulled out of retirement to stop the plans of a nefarious space tyrant. The Sierra-like visuals and humor combine with the gay cast for a charming story.
- Released: 2014
- Developer: Up Multimedia
- Genres (Video game): Point & Click, Adventure
- Publisher: Up Multimedia
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- Dontnod Entertainment/Deck Nineof
Depending on player's choices in the storyline, it is possible to dive into different depths of the relationship between Maxine "Max" Caulfield and her friend Chloe Price.
- Released: 2022
- Developer: Dontnod Entertainment, Deck Nineof
- Genres (Video game): Adventure, Mystery
- Publisher: Square Enix
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- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony
- Rockstar Games
This episodic expansion pack for Grand Theft Auto IV follows the bodyguard of Anthony "Gay Tony" Prince, a gay man. Tying up loose ends from the character's appearance in the main game, the player assists Tony in managing the club and protects him from threats.
- Released: Oct 29 2009
- Developer: Rockstar North
- Genres (Video game): Action-adventure game, Third-person Shooter
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
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- Stardew Valley
- Eric Barone
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Concerned Ape
- Genres (Video game): Simulation, role-playing
- Publisher: Chucklefish, Concerned Ape
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- Overwatch Reflections
- Blizzard
As revealed in a tie-in comic book, Lena "Tracer" Oxton lives with her girlfriend, Emily. There are abundant rumors of other LGBTQ+ characters in the game, but none have been confirmed.
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
- Genres (Video game): First-person shooter
- Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
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- Gust Co. Ltd.
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Gust Co. Ltd.
- Genres (Video game): JRPG, Adventure
- Publisher: Koei Tecmo
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- Cyberpunk 2077/CD Projekt Red
- Released: 2020
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Genres (Video game): Action, Role-playing, Sci-fi
- Publisher: CD Projekt
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- Bethesda Softworks
- Released: 2023
- Developer: Bethesda Softworks
- Genres (Video game): Sci-fi, Action role-playing game
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
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