Max Skinner

Video games are full of lovely couples, Nate and Elena from Uncharted, V and Panam or Judy from Cyberpunk 2077, or Tav and whoever they fancy in Baldur’s Gate 3. However, the couple that didn’t quite make it, the relationship that never had a chance, or, most crushing of all, the one that was ended by a premature death, those are the ones I like the most. 

This article will include major spoilers for the following games: Resident Evil 2, 4, 6, 7, & 8, Final Fantasy 7, Nier Automata, and Max Payne 1 & 2.

Ethan and Mia (Resident Evil 7 & 8)

Starting with the happiest couple on the list, we’ve got Ethan and Mia. The player’s introduction to this lovely married couple started when Ethan and an infected Mia tried to murder each other at the beginning of Resident Evil 7 (so romantic!) Mia went so far as to chop Ethan’s hand off with a chainsaw (Aww)! After Ethan shoots Mia in the head a few times, they go back to helping each other as they try and succeed in escaping the haunted Baker estate. Ethan and Mia spend three more happy years with each other, even having a daughter, Rose. 

Resident Evil 8 starts with Mia immediately getting gunned down in front of Ethan in their home, and their daughter Rose kidnapped. Ethan chases the kidnappers to Castle Dimitrescu. Through great effort, he learns that Mia is still alive. An imposter had taken Mia’a place at their home. Ethan sacrifices his life saving Rose and Mia, leaving Mia a single mother to raise Rose alone. What a tragic ending for a couple that fought for each other so hard.

Cloud and Aerith (Final Fantasy 7)

Cloud and Aerith to me are like Ying and Yang. Opposites which complement and complete each other. Cloud, so tense and Aerith, so carefree, yet both of them grew up very lonely, and they find each other within the other. Aerith makes sure Cloud feels valued when he usually struggles to connect to a group. And Cloud shows he cares and sees Aerith for who she is, instead of seeing her for just her rare and powerful ancestry that everyone else seems to. That’s why the scene where sephiroth kills Aerith is so heartwrenching. Two pieces of a whole torn apart by a hateful God. 

2B and 9S (Nier Automata)

I don’t have the time to go into the incredibly deep intricacies of this particular relationship, but I needed it to be on this list anyways. If you want an excellent analysis of this relationship, check out This Video by Peahnuts. The Truth is, 2B and 9S probably never had a future together. As long as YoRHa exists, 2B would always need to kill 9S.  It didn’t matter how much they cared for each other, If 2B ever spared 9S they would be tracked down and get their memories erased. When 9S inevitably discovers the secret to humanities extinction, 2B must kill him and restart their relationship. Leading to what I believe to be the most tragic relationship in all of gaming. (And if you’re in the know, keep it a secret). 

Leon and Ada (Resident Evil 2, 4, & 6)

Quite possibly the biggest cat and mouse dynamic in any video game. Leon was almost instantly head over heels for Ada, and she knew it. The majority of their relationship is Ada playing Leon to get what she wants, but with moments where she shows genuine compassion and care for Leon. Resident Evil 4 seemed to be the breaking point for Leon, where he decided to go his own way, away from Ada. But in Resident Evil 6, Ada is back, and this time she seems to really care for Leon, but her issues with commitment and their past drive them apart again. The relationship could very well be finished there, but Resident Evil Requiem comes out very soon, and with Leon returning, Ada may very well be back as well. I personally would love to see how this decades long “will-they-won’t-they” could end.

My Parents

It’s all my fault. 

If you liked this article, check out Jordan’s article on The Appeal of Romancing Game Characters