Satisfaction Month is right here, however the queer group doesn’t exist solely in the true world. Increasingly more typically we’re seeing characters from all throughout the spectrum pop up in video games, together with a few of the largest titles on the planet. From motion heroes to revolutionaries to strange folks simply attempting to get by, listed below are our prime 10 queer characters in gaming.
#10. Wrench (Watch Canines)
![Watch Dogs 2 Wrench and Marcus fist bump](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Wrench-and-Marcus.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Watch Canines 2 is arguably the very best within the franchise. It embraces the chaos and potential of the franchise with a various solid of characters. Of those, Wrench is well the very best. A playful and anarchistic hacker, his bromance with hero Marcus is without doubt one of the finest components of the sport. The truth is, it’s simple to think about one thing romantic occurring between the 2 given the playful flirting.
In Watch Canines: Legion Bloodlines, Wrench returns as a playable character, and references a tough divorce from his ex-husband. Whereas he doesn’t get a brand new love curiosity, he proves himself simply as able to kicking ass as ever.
Wrench could be essentially the most susceptible to violence of all DedSec operatives, however he’s additionally arguably essentially the most endearing. He makes use of a masks as a safety blanket and is nervous round his crushes. He has a concern of animals however develops deep affection for a robotic he adopts. He’s a splendidly kooky character, and presumably the very best of the entire franchise. The truth that he hasn’t starred in a full sport is one thing we hope to see rectified sooner or later. If he will get a love story of his personal, even higher.
#9. Judy (Cyberpunk 2077)
![Cyberpunk 2077 Judy Alvarez at Lizzie's Bar](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cyberpunk-2077-Judy.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Cyberpunk 2077 was touted for its range however in observe, it leaves lots to be desired. There’s just one same-sex choice for both a male or feminine V, and other than Joytoys, all non-compulsory sexual encounters are with girls. Of the restricted queer characters, nevertheless, Judy is by far the very best.
Judy is without doubt one of the earliest characters you’ll meet in Night time Metropolis. Whether or not you romance her or not, she proves to be one in all your most fascinating and important allies. Her storyline is all about attempting to make a distinction in a hopeless world. Whereas Judy can do what she got down to, there’s a way that it may not have really achieved something however changing one dangerous boss with one other, however she nonetheless tries.
Night time Metropolis isn’t a very good place. It’s violent, ultra-capitalistic, and few folks can see previous themselves like Judy does. She’s screaming at a world that doesn’t care what she has to say, however she tries her finest. If everybody was extra like Judy, possibly they’d really do one thing concerning the metropolis’s skyrocketing homicide charges.
Crucially, Judy stays an vital character no matter whether or not you select to romance her. In distinction Kerry – the opposite queer choice – is completely non-compulsory outdoors of flashbacks. Whereas romancing Judy can also be non-compulsory, she’s additionally a personality you’ll spend time with all through the sport, and it’s solely after you’ve gotten to know her that romancing her turns into attainable.
Cyberpunk 2077’s method to queer illustration isn’t good. The emphasis on participant alternative because it applies to romance signifies that a homosexual, lesbian, or straight V is in essence railroaded in direction of “choosing” a single choice, however the subtext of conversations typically stays the identical. Nonetheless, with Judy you may see what they had been going for. She’s arguably essentially the most absolutely developed of all 4 love pursuits. You get the sense that even when there have been extra same-sex choices for a feminine V, she might be the most well-liked.
#8. Tyler (Inform Me Why)
![Tyler looking at the sky in Tell Me Why](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tyler-Tell-Me-Why.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Queerphobia is distressingly widespread worldwide, so we frequently flip to fiction for escapism. Nonetheless, fiction additionally gives the chance to inform actual tales based mostly on vital points.
Inform Me Why is a type of video games. The sport begins with Tyler returning to his hometown after ten years in juvie for killing his mom in self-defense. The story follows him and his twin sister Alyson as they examine the reality behind their mom’s demise.
Tyler is overtly transgender, and it’s made clear all through the sport that this has brought on him numerous ache. The truth is, the characters initially imagine that his mom tried to kill him for his gender identification. Over the course of Inform Me Why he involves phrases together with his previous, reconciles together with his sister, and even doubtlessly good points a boyfriend.
Crucially, Tyler isn’t portrayed as good. He’s impulsive, sarcastic, and susceptible to anger. He’s a well-rounded and rootable character navigating his traumatic previous, and as such he doesn’t all the time react appropriately. He doesn’t absolutely perceive exist in a world the place he has to supply for himself. In numerous methods, his struggles to regulate to the newfound actuality of being free provides him a way of otherness and social isolation that many individuals within the queer group wrestle with. All this provides as much as a splendidly advanced character.
Tyler’s story may not essentially be a contented one, but it surely does really feel like an vital one.
#7. Dylan and Ryan (The Quarry)
![Ryan and Dylan in The Quarry](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ryan-and-Dylan-1.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
We’re dishonest slightly right here, however each Dylan and Ryan really feel like a pure a part of this checklist, and it’s arduous to separate the 2.
Dylan and Ryan are two of the principle characters of The Quarry, with Ryan particularly having a good declare to the position of protagonist. Dylan, in the meantime, is the goofy radio announcer, and it shortly emerges that he has a crush on Ryan. This romance will be reciprocated in case you select to kiss Dylan, however understandably it doesn’t go anyplace over the course of the sport. Being attacked by werewolves tends to place a damper on issues.
Each Ryan and Dylan keep away from lots of the widespread pitfalls on the subject of writing queer characters. Neither is stereotyped, or outlined by their sexuality. Ryan is an artist who cares for his youthful sister, has a ardour for true crime, and attracts others together with his brooding persona. Dylan, in the meantime, is extra delicate than he seems, and his fast considering and technical abilities may also help him save himself, and his buddies, a number of occasions over.
Notably, The Quarry avoids making Dylan’s sexuality completely conditional on whether or not Ryan reciprocates. He’s excited if Ryan chooses to kiss him as a substitute of Kaitlyn, and visibly unhappy if he chooses in any other case. That is emphasised with a message that states that Dylan is upset, whereas no such message seems if Ryan chooses to kiss Kaitlyn as a substitute. As such, it seems that Dylan’s emotions for Ryan could be deeper than Kaitlyn’s.
He will get his personal storyline in a while with Kaitlyn as the 2 work collectively. Throughout this time, they commiserate over their shared emotions. Most video games would deal with Kaitlyn because the default love curiosity. Dylan’s personal emotions could be utterly ignored in case you don’t select to romance him. Right here, it’s offered as part of his character, whether or not you select him or not.
As for Ryan, he emerges as one of many leads, giving us a uncommon queer hero in mainstream horror. The truth that he additionally occurs to be an individual of colour solely makes his standing all of the extra exceptional. He could also be stoic and critical, however his loyalty to his buddies provides a tragic component to his storyline as he’s pressured to face these he cares about.
Nonetheless, there’s a little bit of a difficulty in that their kiss is shot at a distance. Each different kiss within the sport – together with Ryan’s non-compulsory kiss with Kaitlyn – is shot in shut up. Sadly, queer intimacy, particularly between two males, is commonly held to a distinct commonplace than straight intimacy in mainstream media.
Regardless of this, Ryan and Dylan are each likable characters that we needed to get out of Hackett’s Quarry alive. The truth that this might hopefully see their relationship get some extra growth solely provides better incentive. In any case, they’ve what it takes to begin their very own podcast, and hell of a narrative to inform.
#6. Lev (The Final of Us Half II)
![Abby touching Lev's face in The Last of Us](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/lev-the-last-of-us.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Lev is an important a part of The Final of Us Half II. He fulfills the same position to Abby that Ellie did to Joel. A younger runaway from the brutal Seraphites, Lev is a transgender teen eager to carve out an identification for himself.
After we first meet Lev, he and his sister rescue Abby from sure demise. With out even interested by it, they put their very own lives in danger to save lots of a stranger. Over the course of Abby’s marketing campaign, we study extra about his character, and the Seraphites as an entire. He serves as Abby’s conscience, providing the possibility to maneuver on from her previous, and even discover redemption. He fulfills the identical position Ellie did to Joel within the unique sport. Nonetheless, his distinctive persona helps him stand on his personal two toes.
That doesn’t imply he’s merely a bystander, although. As the sport progresses, he reveals himself to be courageous and decided. He’s endearingly out of contact with the true world, brutally trustworthy at occasions, and believes in redemption. Whereas a lot has been fabricated from the ache he experiences as a part of his storyline – notably the transphobic abuse he receives from his mom and former faith – Lev simply proves himself to be some of the kindhearted and accepting characters within the sequence. We’re not presupposed to sympathize with the Seraphites. We’re presupposed to react as Abby does. When she famously says “you’re my folks,” you agree along with her utterly.
#5. Astarion (Baldur’s Gate 3)
![Astarion stroking his chin in Baldur's Gate 3](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Astarion.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Truthfully, we might have put any of the romanceable characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 on the checklist. Nonetheless, Astarion is probably the very best of all of them.
He leans into the stereotypes of the basic vampire because the mysterious, horny gentleman. He’s overtly flirtatious, self-serving, and there’s the very actual sense for a lot of the sport that he’s solely journeying with you for his personal ends. In any case, you do get up with him attempting to drink your blood in your sleep.
What makes Astarion stand out is the character growth. You get a way that he’s altering over the course of the journey. Notably, in case you constantly carry out good deeds, he’ll progressively approve of an increasing number of virtuous actions. This could see him reject the potential for Ascending and discover energy on his personal phrases.
Alternatively, it’s attainable that he can Ascend, turning into similar to his hated grasp Cazador. Whether or not you’ve seen him develop an increasing number of altruistic or just come to like him for who he’s, there’s a particular tragedy in seeing him turn out to be so corrupted.
All good characters have flaws, however Astarion feels distinctive. He’s a person who’s battling together with his personal points, and your selections decide whether or not he’s consumed by them. This provides his character one thing particular, even within the vibrant world of Baldur’s Gate 3.
#4. Chloe (Life is Unusual)
![Chloe looking at Max in Life is Strange](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Chloe-and-Max.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Chloe is a central character in Life is Unusual, and proved so well-liked she gained a prequel sport of her personal. A blue-haired punk with anger points, Max saving Chloe kicks off the sport’s plot – and units off a sequence of occasions that might result in the deaths of hundreds of individuals.
Chloe is a near-constant presence in Life is Unusual, and it will be really easy to hate her. She will be egocentric at occasions, typically encourages destructive actions, and desires to make use of Max’s time-bending talents to her personal profit. Regardless of this, she’s proven to be sort, courageous, and finally self-sacrificing. By the point Max has to decide on between Chloe’s demise and the destruction of Arcadia Bay, it feels simply as horrifying as it will be for Max.
The success of the ultimate alternative depends on Chloe being a likable character, regardless of her many flaws. She could be each teenager who screams “It’s not a part, Mother!” however she’s additionally lovable. She’s everybody’s finest pal who we had been instructed was a nasty affect. She may not have superpowers, however she does have loopy concepts and the willpower to observe via. In the end, she’s keen to be the hero, even when it means no person will ever know.
Life is Unusual isn’t a sequence about superpowers. It’s a sequence about strange individuals who simply so occur to have superpowers, however the place it excels is in telling smaller tales. It creates a world the place choices matter, and even essentially the most strange folks can have the most important affect. We perceive why Max works so arduous to save lots of Chloe, as a result of we get the sense that we’d do the identical. Extra importantly, regardless of her selfishness all through the sport, she presses Max to sacrifice her, and it looks like a pure extension of her character – and few choices in gaming have ever been more durable.
#3. Sean (Life is Unusual 2)
![Sean and Daniel in Life is Strange 2](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sean-and-Daniel.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Sean is the hero of Life is Unusual 2, and he stands out for just a few causes. He’s the one male hero of the sequence, and the one one with out superpowers. As an alternative, his brother Daniel has telekinesis, and Sean’s problem is to guard him.
Sadly, their journey is a tragic one. The 2 are pressured to flee after their father is killed in an act of police brutality, with the police searching their each step. Their journey sees the 2 face the surroundings, racism, non secular cults, and depend on unscrupulous means to search out security.
Sean’s same-sex choice – Finn – is slightly more durable to get with than the opposite romances within the sequence. For one factor, it’s a must to manually select to say Sean is bisexual. For an additional, both can simply die if the fallacious selections are made. Nonetheless, their dynamic is undoubtedly endearing, and also you need them to finish up collectively. Regardless of this, it by no means defines Sean’s journey.
The truth is, it’s solely in Chapter 3 the place the 2 spend numerous time collectively, and in case you make the fallacious selections Finn will probably be useless by Chapter 4. Nonetheless, that’s sufficient for the sport to construct a plausible bond between them. Finn is an impulsive and at occasions self-serving dangerous boy, however he’s additionally understanding, a very good pal, and when he tells Sean he has emotions for him, it feels real. The only ending the place the 2 find yourself collectively could also be distinctly bittersweet, but it surely’s additionally arguably the happiest.
Nonetheless, Sean’s storyline isn’t about romance. As an alternative, it facilities round his love for his brother. All through the sport you’ll want to assist Daniel take care of grief, train him how (and when) to make use of his powers, and even take care of smaller selections, like whether or not to name him out on dishonest in a sport or what bedtime story to inform him. It’s this relationship that’s on the core of Sean’s character.
Sean doesn’t all the time make the correct alternative. The truth is, it’s extra correct to say he makes the fallacious one, again and again, however he looks like a sensible, determined teenager in an unimaginable scenario, and he all the time places his brother above every little thing. Within the good endings, this ends in Daniel having an opportunity to life in peace and security, even at the price of Sean’s imprisonment (or at the very least by no means having the ability to see him once more). Simply because he has no superpowers doesn’t imply he’s not the hero of the story.
#2. Aloy (Horizon)
![Aloy aiming her bow in Horizon Forbidden West](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aloy.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Aloy is the heroine of the Horizon franchise, and if there’s anybody we belief with the accountability of saving the world from large robots and hostile AI, it’s her.
Aloy begins the sequence as a thriller, discovered outdoors a mysterious metallic hatch as a child. Raised as an outcast, she’s decided to show herself, and meets any issues she faces with kindness, empathy, and sheer badassery. She’s a personality who is aware of who she is and what she stands for, and insists on being seen for that. She isn’t all in favour of being worshipped, and he or she’s keen to evaluate folks based mostly on their actions – a far cry from the tribalism of her society.
Over the course of the franchise, Aloy has grown into a powerful, competent heroine who’s routinely confronted unimaginable odds and emerged victorious. She fairly actually has the burden of the world on her shoulders, and builds a discovered household who will do something they will to ease her burden.
Aloy’s sexuality was solely made specific in the latest DLC, The Burning Shore, when she gained a love curiosity in Seyka. Nonetheless, that doesn’t change the core of her character as a courageous, sort girl who fights to save lots of the world, whether or not it desires her to or not.
Honorable Point out: Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
![Lara croft first aid in Tomb Raider](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Lara-Croft.jpg?resize=991%2C557)
Lara would simply be primary on our checklist, if not for govt meddling.
Lara is arguably some of the beloved characters in all of gaming. The truth is, if somebody asks you to image a feminine online game character, it’s more likely to be her. Lara has been a fixture in gaming since 1996, has saved the world again and again, however her romantic life has been comparatively low-key – and completely male.
Tomb Raider’s 2013 reboot confirmed us a younger, inexperienced Lara – and it will have been the primary queer one. All through the sport, numerous focus is given to Lara’s relationship along with her pal, Sam, and this relationship was adopted within the comics. Sadly, plans to take the connection in a romantic path had been scrapped.
Lara’s relationship with Sam finally wasn’t adopted up. The truth is, she’s barely talked about all through the remainder of the reboot, with fellow Endurance survivor Jonah serving as Lara’s finest pal and touring companion. Sadly, this does really feel just like the builders determined to downplay the primary sport’s most vital relationship to keep away from any controversy.
Queer characters have gotten extra widespread all throughout the media. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply there isn’t a protracted approach to go. One other reboot of the franchise is coming, however solely time will inform whether or not this new model of Lara will probably be queer or straight.
#1. Ellie (The Final of Us)
![Ellie playing guitar in The Last of Us](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ellie-the-last-of-us.png?resize=991%2C557)
You knew it was coming. Ellie isn’t simply essentially the most iconic queer character in gaming: she has a good declare to being some of the iconic characters in gaming, full cease.
It might be really easy for us to hate Ellie. In any case, the vast majority of The Final of Us is about out as an escort mission, which will be notoriously irritating. What makes Ellie totally different is that she performs a necessary half within the sport. At first, which means serving to out with puzzles, however she is aware of when to remain out of the best way in battle, and when to affix in. As the sport progresses she turns into a extra energetic participant, proving an important ally in your quest. You end up listening to what she has to say, in search of out alternatives for additional chats. She isn’t somebody you’re merely obligated to guard. As the sport progresses, she turns into somebody we wish to shield.
Even higher, Ellie is exquisitely written and carried out. Whether or not she’s making dangerous jokes or simply studying concerning the outdated world, you may’t not develop to like her. Most significantly, her rising bond with Joel gives a constant throughline. By the point we get to the legendary ending, we perceive precisely why Joel did what he did, and we get the sensation that we’d do the identical.
By the point the sequel rolls round, Ellie has grown right into a hardened survivor. She by no means fairly loses the spark, however her storyline sees the darker facets of her character come to the floor. Her storyline isn’t dedicated to her romantic life, but it surely isn’t ignored, both. Ellie is joined in her journey by her love curiosity, Dina, who serves as a humanizing facet whilst Ellie’s want for revenge consumes her. When Dina asks Ellie to desert her quest, you need her to say sure.
The Final of Us franchise is a darkish franchise the place there are not any clear-cut heroes. Ellie looks like an strange lady struggling to take care of a brand new actuality, however she by no means loses that spark that made her so endearing within the first place.
Right here’s our information on romance Astarion, and right here’s get infinite ammo in The Final of Us: Half II.