Highlights
- ROMANCE IS ABUNDANT: The PlayStation 2 era produced some of the best romances in gaming history, with a wide variety of options across different genres.
- ICONIC COUPLES: Games like Final Fantasy 10 and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time showcase intense and genuine romances that captivate players from start to finish.
- UNEXPECTED ROMANCES: From the creepy relationship in Silent Hill 2 to the charming love between Guybrush Threepwood and Elaine Marley in Escape From Monkey Island, the PlayStation 2 era offers unique and memorable romances.
The PlayStation 2 era offered many classic games for players to explore and launched many series and characters that are now integral to gaming history. No matter if the console is nostalgic for players or an entirely new experience, there are a lot of fun gaming opportunities that come with it. For players seeking romance, however, there may initially seem to be fewer options.
Luckily, this is not the case. The PlayStation 2 era produced some of the best romances in gaming history, and these shouldn’t be overlooked. From epic JRPGs to quirky and fun puzzle games, romance is everywhere in this gaming era. Players seeking the best romances of the time should look no further than these classic PS2 titles.
10 Player and Whoever They Choose
The Sims Bustin’ Out
The Sims Bustin’ Out
- Released
- December 2, 2003
- Developer(s)
- Maxis
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PS2, Xbox (Original)
The Sims Bustin’ Out is one of the most beloved games in the entire franchise, and for good reason. The game offers a wide variety of locations for players to visit and a lot of new townies to interact with. The townies can even be romanced up to a certain level, with players being able to enter relationships with them.
Unfortunately, players can only marry in free play, and premade townies are excluded from this, but still, the romance here is as fun as in any other The Sims game.
9 CJ And Six Romance Options
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Released
- October 26, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PS2, PS3, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360, PC, macOS, iOS, Android
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is an iconic PlayStation 2 game, with this being the fifth entry in the blockbuster Rockstar franchise. Players control CJ through the city and can do all of the expected things one can do in a Grand Theft Auto title. However, this game also allows CJ to find love. There are six options, each with benefits that can be unlocked through strengthening the relationship.
The romance is not the focus of this game by any means, but it adds another layer to the already thriving world in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
8 Tidus And Yuna
Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 10
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- Released
- December 17, 2001
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The Final Fantasy series has romance in almost every installment, but the relationship depicted in Final Fantasy 10 is one of the best in both the series and in gaming generally. The game focuses on Tidus and Yuna, star-crossed lovers. From their first meeting, their relationship is caring and intense as they have to go through trials to be able to be together.
This romance is intense and majestic, as the care the two characters hold for each other is clear from their first meeting in Final Fantasy 10 and remains from the beginning until the very end.
7 Yukiko Amagi
Persona 4
Persona 4
- Released
- July 10, 2008
- Developer(s)
- Atlus
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
Persona 4 offers players the choice of many different romantic interests, but for players seeking a realistic and genuine romance, Yukiko Amagi is by far the best option. Her personality is likable, but the real interest is how the romance changes things for the protagonist and Yukiko herself. Torn between two options for her life, the romance can help her decide what’s best for her, giving it higher stakes.
Persona 4 offers players a wide choice, but Yukiko is the best romance in the game for players seeking a connection with their protagonist.
6 Ico and Yorda
Ico
Ico
- Released
- September 24, 2001
- Developer(s)
- JapanStudio, Team Ico
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PS2
Ico is a game centered around the concept of boy meets girl. The boy, Ico, meets and tries to save Yorda from her mother’s grasp, and the two go through a lot together over the course of the game. The romance is more implied in Ico as it is never explicitly explored, but the relationship between the two is reminiscent of adolescent crushes and puppy love.
Ico is a fascinating and excellent game. It focuses on these two characters and their relationship while a lot more happens in the background.
5 Max And Mona
Max Payne 2: The Fall Of Max Payne
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
- Released
- October 14, 2003
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment, Rockstar Vienna
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS2, Xbox (Original)
Mona Sax is the femme fatale in Max Payne 2: The Fall Of Max Payne, and she is involved with Max himself in the game. A contract killer, her relationship with Max is far from healthy, but that is what makes it interesting. The two work together to stop the Cleaners from eliminating them, and along the way, they fall for each other.
Unfortunately, this romance typically has a tragic ending, but the journey to get there is what makes this romance one of the best of the PlayStation 2 era.
4 The Prince And Farah
Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
- Released
- October 28, 2003
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Stealth, Platformer
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo GameCube, PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox (Original), Game Boy Advance
Farah starts out in this game absolutely hating the Prince. Rightfully so, as the Prince has ruined her life, but the two are forced together due to dangerous circumstances for both of them. As the two work together, their relationship starts changing, but it takes a while to do so. This relationship is one of the most fleshed out in gaming.
Their scenes in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time are genuinely romantic, and the relationship never feels forced. The two get together despite their differences, and once they’re in love, the situation only gets more complicated.
3 Yuri And Alice
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts
- Released
- December 12, 2001
- Developer
- Sacnoth
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- PS2
Shadow Hearts is a lesser-known JRPG series, and this game focuses on the relationship between protagonist Yuri and the woman he rescues, Alice. The relationship between the two is fraught and melodramatic, as is typical of the genre, but as Yuri falls for Alice, even the most stone-hearted players will find themselves rooting for the pair. Against all odds, they are a couple that players want to see happy.
Shadow Hearts is a fantastic JRPG, and the romance is one of many reasons why players should give it a chance.
2 James And Mary / Maria
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2
- Released
- September 24, 2001
- Developer(s)
- Konami
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360
Silent Hill 2 is perhaps not the first game players would think of when considering romance classics of the PlayStation 2 era, but the relationship between James and Maria is weird enough to be extremely memorable. The fact that Maria looks exactly like James’ deceased wife adds a new creepy dimension to what is already a horror classic, and players are able to secure three different endings for James, which vary in tragedy.
Silent Hill 2 is a PlayStation 2-era classic, and the in-game romance further contributes to the game’s creepy factor.
1 Guybrush Threepwood And Elaine Marley
Escape From Monkey Island
Escape from Monkey Island
- Released
- November 6, 2000
- Developer(s)
- LucasArts
- Genre(s)
- Point-and-click
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS2
For a lighter romance experience, Escape From Monkey Island is a great choice. The game follows pirate Guybrush Threepwood and his new wife Elaine as they return to Melee Island from their honeymoon. Being mostly a puzzle game, the romance is not as dialogue-heavy as some others, but the relationship between Guybrush and his wife is charming and a fun addition to what could have been another basic PlayStation 2 puzzle game.
Escape From Monkey Island is a delightful game for young and old players, and Guybrush and Elaine have a comforting and dependable romance within it.
