JRPGs have some of the greatest love stories in all of video game history. Their anime-inspired storytelling is filled with well-developed characters, emotional speeches, and justallthe feels. These games tell stories of deep bonds forged through adversity, people finding strength in their loved ones, and finding a way to survive no matter the odds. All with a splash of high school levels of adorableness.
So it should be no surprise that Square Enix, one of the biggest namesin JRPGs, has some of the most iconic couples in gaming. From childhood besties to comrades in arms, these characters know how to do the slow build toward romantic love. It’s cheesy, sappy, and downright melodramatic, and that’s exactly what players love about it.
The firstBravely Defaultgame centers on two main heroes: Agnès Oblige, vestal of the Wind Crystal, and Tiz Arrior, the local shepherd. This unlikely duo forms an adventuring party to awaken the elemental crystals threatening their home. They eventually becomes close friends, and even more. However, the game ends with Tiz being rendered comatose after releasing the Celestial being that’s been keeping him alive this whole time.
Much of the sequel’s plot revolves around Agnès’s attempts to get Tiz back. Once they’re finally reunited, the newly-appointed Pope slyly admits to him that she’s ready to take their relationship even further. Usually, the trope of the male and female leads ending up together feels a bit overplayed, but these two are so cute that it’s hard to complain.
Cecil and Rosa are the classic trope of childhood friends falling in love as adults. In fact, they’re already in love by the time the main plot begins, but there are a few obstacles between them and happily ever after. First of all, their once-benevolent king has been making some violently questionable decisions lately. But second and more importantly, Cecil just doesn’t feel worthy of Rosa’s love.
Rosa is a White Mage (and the first woman to do so, no less), while Cecil was raised to be a Dark Knight. He loathes how he has to follow his king’s orders as they grow more and more gruesome. It’s only by switching over to becoming a Paladin that Cecil grows into his true self - the kind, caring man he always was inside. It was his love for Rosa that helped guide him in discovering his true identity.
From the outset,Kingdom Heartsfans knew thatthese two were made for each other. Sora and Kairi are both pure-hearted souls who grew up together on Destiny Island alongside Riku, and it’s their bonds to each other that have kept them going throughout each increasingly convoluted game.
Kingdom Hearts 3especially went out of its way to tell players that they were in love without telling players that they were in love. After all, with Sora’s disappearance, it’s literallyKairi’s heartthat scientists are studying to hopefully find him again. They deserve all the happiness.
While,Aerith fansmay disagree, the chemistry betweenTifaand Cloud should not be overlooked. Just like Sora and Kairi, Cloud and Tifa are childhood besties that grew up to become something more. It took a long time for either to admit it, though, even though it was obvious to anyone paying attention.
Every time these two were on-screen together, Cloud couldn’t keep his eyes off her. The poor guy looked like he was alwaysthisclose to telling Tifa how he really felt, then chickening out at the last second. Meanwhile, Tifa herself was down just as bad. Depending on the player’s choices inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth,this pairing becomes a reality.
Squall Lionheart is so quiet, stoic, and distant from his companions, he could almost qualify as a silent protagonist. His tough upbringing in an orphanage has made him reluctant to rely on anybody but himself. Even as a Commander, he’d rather keephis comradesat arm’s length at all times. All that changes when he falls head-over-heels for Rinoa Heartilly.
A bubbly social butterfly from a rich family, Rinoa gets along with everyone but lacks practical experience on the battlefield. It’s these complementing strengths and weaknesses that help this couple’s relationship develop so organically. While Rinoa helps Squall open up more about his feelings, he leads her combat experience. Their ability to rely on each other and share their innermost thoughts gives their young long a rock-solid foundation.
The worst part about betrayal is that it never comes from a stranger. The nihilistic antagonist ofDragon Quest IXis Corvus, a fallen Celestrian who’s determined to use the Gittish Empire to launch a full-frontal assault on the Yggdrasil. Towards the game’s climax, the protagonist learns that the reason Corvus is so disillusioned and hateful is because he was betrayed by the woman he loved. Or so he thought.
Long ago, Corvus befriended a human woman named Serena. The two eventually fell in love and were determined to protect each other from the Empire. However, this eventually led to a tragic misunderstanding where Corvus believed Serena had sold him out to his enemies. He’s been essentially lashing out at the world ever since. However, Serena herself finally appears before the demonically transformed Corvus in spirit form, convincing him of her continued love for him. The two ascend together, Corvus finally abandoning his hate and reuniting with his love.
When it comes to love stories,Final Fantasypeaked with Tidus and Yuna inFinal Fantasy 10.These two seemed to hit it off right from the get-go. While their earliest scenes are a bit corny (their awkward guffawing scene has become infamously iconic), as the story progresses, these two forge a deep bond through all the trials and tribulations they face together.
In a tragic twist of fate, Yuna must sacrifice herself to defeat Sin. She’s known this the whole time, unable to tell Tidus that he’s been unknowingly helping her march towards her own demise. When Tidus learns the truth, he gears up to do whatever it takes to rewrite her tragic fate. This determination leads him to help Yuna and their companions uncover the truth about Sin and defeat Yu Yevon.
Near the end of the game, Tidus discovers that this will also destroy the dream version of Zanarkand and himself. Yet despite this, Tidus never once strays from this path. He is determined to save Yuna at all costs, even if he doesn’t get to be with her when Spira is saved. All in all, these two have the sweetest, yet bittersweet love story in the entire franchise.
