20 Games Where You Can Build a Family With Same-Sex Parents

Over the past twenty years, video games have become much better at representing different kinds of relationships and families. Many newer life simulation and role-playing games let players marry someone of the same gender and have children together. These games often include ways to create families, like adoption, magical means, or scientific methods, so players can build the home life they want. The games mentioned below all offer this inclusive experience, where creating a loving family is a central part of the gameplay.

‘The Sims 4’ (2014)

Players can design Sims with the personalities and romantic preferences they want, and choose their gender identity. The game lets same-sex couples get married and build families in many different ways – they can adopt, or even have biological children using in-game technology. It’s a life simulation game with lots of options for creating all kinds of families. The game is regularly updated to make relationships and raising children even more realistic and detailed.

‘Stardew Valley’ (2016)

This farming game lets you build relationships with and marry any of the townspeople, no matter their gender. After getting married, you’ll share farm life together and have the option to start a family. Couples of any gender can expand their farmhouse and then adopt a child. The game gives all relationships equal importance and includes family members in the daily work of running your farm. To unlock these family options, you’ll need to build strong relationships with your spouse.

‘The Sims 3’ (2009)

The latest installment of the game features open neighborhoods and gives players more control over their Sim families’ lives. Same-sex couples can now build relationships, marry, and raise children together in a fully integrated town. Players also have the option to adopt, adding babies or children to their families. The game’s genetics system allows traits to be passed down through generations, especially when combined with game updates or modifications that focus on biological connections. A key focus of this version is watching families grow and evolve over multiple generations, building a lasting family tree.

‘Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town’ (2019)

This updated farming game brought back the popular Best Friends ceremony, which is essentially how players get married. You can develop relationships with any available character and build a life together on your farm. A particularly heartwarming feature is the ability for same-sex couples to adopt a child through a magical event with the Harvest Goddess, allowing all players to experience the joys of parenthood. This was a major step towards making the series more inclusive.

‘Rune Factory 5’ (2021)

This game blends the excitement of fantasy adventures with the relaxing gameplay of farm simulation. A key feature is the inclusion of same-sex marriage, available worldwide. Players can build relationships with and marry any eligible character, and eventually have children. These children inherit characteristics from their parents and can help out on the farm or in battles. The game offers a magical explanation for how same-sex couples can have children, involving a special Great Tree. Relationships grow through everyday interactions and by completing individual story quests.

‘My Time at Sandrock’ (2023)

In this desert town after the apocalypse, players can build relationships and even find love with a diverse cast of characters. The game features full same-sex marriage, and players can adopt children through the local church. You’ll raise those children from babies to school-age kids while also running your workshop. Family life is a core part of the experience, letting you interact with your children and take them on adventures, adding a touching and personal element to the game’s resource management.

‘Fable II’ (2008)

This game was one of the first to let players marry any character they built a relationship with. You can buy a house and even start a family with a partner of the same sex. The game also lets you adopt children and raise them in your home. How your spouse and children feel about you depends on the choices you make and your character’s moral compass, adding a personal and emotional layer to your adventures in the world of Albion.

‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ (2011)

Once a player character, known as the Dragonborn, wears the Amulet of Mara, they can get married. The game treats marriages between characters of the same sex exactly like those between a man and a woman, with no limitations on who you can marry. Players can also adopt up to two children, who will live with you in a house you own, adding a lively atmosphere to your home. You can interact with your adopted children by giving them gifts or allowances. The Hearthfire expansion added even more to this system, letting players build custom homes specifically designed for their families.

‘Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town’ (2021)

In Olive Town, players can marry partners of the same sex in a charming wedding ceremony. After a certain amount of time, couples can even raise a child together, who arrives through a magical and heartwarming event – a signature element of the game series. Players will see their family grow through special cutscenes, continuing a tradition of inclusivity seen in previous versions of the game.

‘Coral Island’ (2023)

This charming farming game takes place on a beautiful tropical island where you’ll focus on bringing life back to the land and building relationships with the locals. You can romance and marry anyone you choose, regardless of gender, and even start a family. The developers made a point of including a wide range of characters and relationship styles in the story. Gameplay revolves around managing your farm while also nurturing your connections with your partner and children.

‘Wylde Flowers’ (2022)

In this enchanting farming game, you take on the role of Tara and meet a diverse group of fully voiced characters. You can build relationships and even marry anyone you choose, regardless of gender, and create a cozy home life. Recent updates let you expand your family by having or adopting children. The game beautifully blends magical adventures with the everyday challenges of life, and it’s known for its compelling story and genuine connections between characters.

‘My Time at Portia’ (2019)

In this game, which comes before Sandrock, you play as a builder tasked with bringing a workshop back to life. You can build relationships with any of the town’s single characters, regardless of their gender, and even marry them. Same-sex couples can adopt and raise children together, interacting with them and watching them grow by buying gifts. These relationships aren’t just for fun – they offer helpful advantages and make the story of rebuilding the town feel more personal.

‘Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life’ (2023)

This new version of the game focuses on family life and watching a child grow up. You can marry any eligible character and have a child whose personality is shaped by their other parent. Same-sex couples can propose with a special item and welcome a child thanks to the town’s magical elements. What makes this game special is that the ending you get depends on how you raise your child and the career they eventually choose, offering a really detailed parenting experience within the farming sim genre.

‘RimWorld’ (2018)

Okay, so this colony sim is amazing because it basically builds stories through how your people interact. The Biotech expansion really changed things – now we have kids in the game, and you can even mess around with genetics. What’s really cool is that same-sex couples can adopt or have kids through fertility treatments. It’s not just about having kids though, it’s about raising them in a dangerous place, making sure they’re fed, healthy, and learning. Honestly, every time I play, I get a totally different family story – it’s all driven by what happens in the game itself, which is awesome.

‘Crusader Kings III’ (2020)

As a huge fan, I’m really excited about this game! It’s a grand strategy game, but it focuses on your family and dynasty throughout the Middle Ages. What’s really cool is how customizable it is – you can even have same-sex marriage and adoption, which lets you build strong alliances and secure an heir in ways that weren’t possible historically. It’s not just about ruling a kingdom, though; you’re also raising kids – whether they’re adopted or your own – and dealing with all the drama of court and making sure the succession goes smoothly. It’s a really deep simulation, so you can create some amazing family stories and build a legacy that lasts!

‘Roots of Pacha’ (2023)

This game takes you back to the Stone Age where you work together with other players to build a thriving community. You can form relationships between any characters and raise families, with children growing up and becoming part of the village. It really focuses on teamwork and the idea that everyone contributes to raising the next generation. Raising children isn’t separate from everything else – it’s directly tied to how your tribe develops and its culture evolves.

‘Sun Haven’ (2021)

This charming farming game takes place in a magical world full of monsters and lets you build relationships with characters of any race and gender, even getting married and starting a family. You can wish for a child at the well, and these kids aren’t just there for show – they’ll play and interact with you around your farm, adding life and personality to your home. The fantastical setting allows for unique and heartwarming ways to grow your family, no matter who you choose to love.

‘Fable III’ (2010)

The latest installment in the game carries on the series’ commitment to player choice in relationships. Players can marry someone of the same sex and build a family by adopting children. Your home reflects your status – you can live in a grand castle or a cozy house. Spending time with your spouse and children earns rewards and affects your character’s reputation, emphasizing that love and family are important to everyone in the world of Albion.

‘The Sims 2’ (2004)

This well-known simulation game was a pioneer in its representation of LGBTQ+ families. It was the first game in the series to let same-sex couples adopt children, a feature accessed through an in-game phone service. The game’s focus on genetics and family history meant raising children was central to the experience. Players could play through multiple generations, seeing how their choices impacted their families over time. It set a new standard for how life simulation games portray diverse families.

‘Cattails: Wildwood Story’ (2023)

In this one-of-a-kind survival RPG, you play as a cat working to establish a thriving colony. You can build relationships with other cats and raise kittens together – and all kinds of pairings are welcome, with kittens inheriting traits from both parents. The game centers around keeping your colony alive and teaching the next generation, offering a fresh look at what it means to build a community and family.

2025-12-09 07:47