Summary
For many players, one of the best aspects offarming and life simulation gamesis the potential for romance, where it’s common to encounter affairs of the heart. Naturally, elements of romance have bled over into other genres, even creating a genre in its own right, with many weird and wonderful dating simulation visual novels thriving on the market.
Still, life simulation games generally offer greater freedom in playstyles, more people to woo, potential marriage and the opportunity to produce or adopt offspring. Here are some of the best simulation games with the most romance options, ranked based on a combination of the game’s overall quality and popularity, and just how many options there are.
The second game to be released under theStory of Seasonstitlein the long-running series,Story of Seasons: Trio of Townscombines farming simulation and role-playing. Controlling either Henry or Holly, the player carries out the usual farming work on their own piece of land but can also visit three distinctive towns that are based on real world locations.
Living in these towns are potential partners, waiting to be swept off their feet. In the base game, there are five eligible bachelors and five bachelorettes, depending on the player’s chosen gender. Only those of the opposite sex are dateable, but another of each was added in DLC, plus Inari, whose gender is automatically the opposite of the player’s.
An interestingmixture of genres and gameplay elements,I Was A Teenage Exocolonistintroduces romance towards the end of the game when the player character is an appropriate age. Starting as a fully customizable ten-year-old, the game lasts for ten years on the planet Vertumna, where players can engage in different activities, socialize and determine stats through a card-based minigame.
NPCs of a similar age will grow up with the protagonist, and it’s possible to grow friendships, flirt, and eventually reach a point where they will consider dating. Any of the ten dateable characters can be romanced, if they are single and the relationship level is high enough, regardless of gender, and there’s even a non-binary suitor.
A solo-developed project,Littlewoodis a life sim, set in the world of Solemn after it has been saved. There are plenty of activities to do in the vast world while taking a break from rebuilding the town, and 15 townsfolk to interact with, accumulating Heart EXP after positive interactions.
There are no dating restrictions, apart from Dudley, as long as the relationship has reached a high enough level. Level 30 is required to reach a suitable dating range, and this can eventually lead to a proposal and marriage, if the player has acquired a wedding ring. Other townsfolk will also date each other depending on whom the player has chosen, which influences some fans’ amorous decisions.
There is a lot more toRune Factory 5than farming and life simulation, with an entire plot based around keeping Rigbarthsafe from monster attacksand solving various mysterious cases in the area. Given the large cast of characters and the nature of the series, it’s only natural that players want to try their hand at winning the affections of NPCs.
There are more options inRune Factory 5than any of its predecessors, including the potential for same-sex partnerships and up to three children. There are six males and six females available to charm, though it requires a great deal of effort, such as taking them on quests and generally spending a lot of time together.
Often cited as one of the greatest games ever made, the indie smash-hit farming simulation game,Stardew Valley, is known for its excellent romance mechanics. While the most important gameplay aspect for most is the growth of the player-character’s inherited farm, interaction with the townspeople is also vital to success and a key feature in the game.
Players often hotly debate which of the12 romanceable characters is the best, with everyone having their preferences thanks to the very distinctive personalities they possess. Unlike some games, marriage is not the end, and spouses have new dialogue and quest options, plus the couple can have children, or they can get divorced. Again, there are no limitations in terms of orientation.
Exclusively released for the Nintendo Wii,Harvest Moon: Animal Paradefeatures many of the same characters fromTree of Tranquility, but has a lot more potential in the romance department. While partnerships are restricted by gender, there are ten eligible males and ten potential females for marriage and raising one or two children together.
Even after the wedding ceremony, there are plenty of activities to engage in with family members, and they can even help out on the farm. The fan-favorite rival marriage system adds something extra toAnimal Parade, whereby the other candidates may marry one another before the player’s big day, and their children have events with the player’s offspring too.
4My Time At Sandrock
21 Potential Spouses
Set in a desert landscape 300 years after its predecessor,My Time at Sandrockis a farming sim with a lot of gameplay focused on blossoming love stories, and the capacity for heartache. A Kickstarter-funded game, it features aninteresting post-apocalyptic premise, full of mining, farming and dungeon exploration, but those looking to settle down have 21 viable contenders to choose from.
After a confession of feelings, there are four romantic relationship levels depending on the number of relationship points, with potential for marriage and parenthood. Some characters have romance-specific quests, and players can even court multiple people with no penalties, as long as they are not caught, though it may result in an immediate separation from some lovers.
Romance is an absolutely essential part ofthe cozy and casualfarming simulator,Echoes of the Plum Grove, since the game carries on through the generations. There are only seven singletons available at the beginning of the game, and they may even get hitched before the player has a chance to earn their affections.
Since the controllable character will be the protagonist’s child upon their death, it’s imperative that players get married and produce children if they wish to continue playing, and this leads to potentially infinite romance options. Of course, if the player’s desired spouse is already taken, there is the option to purchase a Death Cake from Astra Vosen and rather mercilessly remove the competition.
Created by a couple of developers who worked on theFableseries,Kynseedis a farming and life sim that also places an emphasis on legacy and nurturing family. Players can run their farms and businesses, as well as fight monsters, but they must ensure that the next generation is provided for as the game carries on after their initial character’s death.
If an NPC is aged 18 or over and has a high enough Like level with the player, they are dateable, though it is possible to marry someone even without dating. Dates obviously help, but the most important thing is giving them a white rose, and eventually baking the Pie of You and I for that special someone.
Nothing quite beats thelong-running life simulation seriesfor romantic options, andThe Sims 4is among the best, despite some early issues in the game’s life cycle. As with its predecessors, generations just keep on coming, allowing players potentially unlimited romantic interests. Being over a decade old, the game has received various updates, including giving players more variety when it comes to the gender identity and sexual orientation of their sims.
Interactions with love interests are incredibly deep, allowing for more varied types of liaisons and activities that couples can engage in together. TheLovestruckexpansion vastly increases options, with custom dates being added and a whole new romance skill to increase. There’s even online dating.
