FEATURE | 5 Iconic Video Game Couples (We Can Learn a Thing or Two From)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, February 13, 2020 - Love lasts forever, or so the saying goes. In video game land, storytelling has evolved from the rudimentary rescue the princess to obssesively fangirling over your hero, (I'm looking at you Mario and Sonic) to delving into the deeper meaning and the complexities of a relationship.

So, as narratives started to get into the nuances of character building, I thought, in somewhat commemorating a day of Hallmark Cards, we'd looked through some of those relationships that had developed and flourished in the decades of gaming storytelling.

This list is by no means definitive, I just thought I put these down because these are probably my favourite romances to date. If you haven't played any of these games spoilers ahead!

1. Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly (Final Fantasy VIII)

As emo as Squall was throughout the whole Final Fantasy VIII, Rinoa was the epitome of upbeat cheerfulness that Squall tried so hard not to get infected with. It's over the course of the game that Squall started to develop his feelings for Rinoa, this after they were separated from each other. What comes after that is a whole mess of effort to be reunited with Ms Heartilly, which also inlvoves breaking through time and space. In the end, true love prevails.

2. Johnny Sasaki (Akiba) and Meryl Silverburgh (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)

Meryl accepting Johnny Sasaki as her lifemate was totally out of character but I wouldn't have it any other way. Compare Meryll to Akiba, the former who is stubborn headed and direct compared to the often clumsy, idiotic things that Akiba did just to be near Meryl is borderline insane but it is with good intentions. I mean, who proposes to a gal while in stuck under some a heavy gunfight? Only Akiba could be so bold.

3. Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade (Mortal Kombat series)

Hinted in the 1995 Mortal Kombat movie, I never did expect Johnny and Sonya to actually hook up canonically. One is a showboating arrogant movie star, the other a no frill, deocrated army officer.  But Johnny eventually grew up and Sonya developed a soft spot for the guy. And despite their divorce and getting back together again, the life of a Mortal Kombatant is a violent and often trubulent one where only the strongest survive, much like the love for these unlikely couple.

4. Nathan Drake and Elena Fisher (Uncharted Series)

When a relationship starts off with deception, you know that its never gonna work out. But somehow, Nathan and Elena seems to manage it all of that throughout the series - sure their relationship was volatile - each not wanting to lose to another - in the end, after all of that they manage to patch it up and make it work. Got married and even had a kid, living at a house by the beach, a quiet life.

5. Geralt of Rivia and Yennefer of Vengerberg (Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt)

Granted my only reference is Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, if you picked Yen over Triss, I felt that it had a better narrative than that of with Triss. Sure Yen can be cruel and undermining, but Geralt isn't the sensitive type to be affected by scathing remarks and sarcasm. These are pretty strong characters who can stand up for themselves and their journey in how their relationship develops over time, despite being at odds with each other,  their ending was well deserved.

Honorable mentions

Sora and Kairi (Kingdom Heart series)
Tidus and Yuna (Final Fantasy X)

Liu Kang and Kitana (Mortal Kombat series)

Mario and Peach (Super Mario series)

Sonic and Amy Rose (Sonic series)

...and countless of other love birds.

So that's the list... that probably won't be updated in the next five years when we get more iconic video game couples to write about during Valentine's Day. Til then sound off at our social media account of which couples you think deserves to be on the list.

Geeks Republika