Games Where Being Queer Is the Default and Straight Is the Customization

As a gamer, it’s amazing to see how far things have come! For a long time, video game stories felt very limited, always assuming everyone was straight. Now, we’re seeing so many games with incredible LGBTQ+ representation, and it’s not just a little side thing anymore. These games let you be yourself, without having to jump through hoops with special options or fan-made changes. I’ve put together a list of twenty games where being LGBTQ+ isn’t just part of the story – it is the story, and it’s fantastic!

‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ (2023)

Larian Studios’ Dungeons & Dragons game offers players incredible freedom and choice. Characters will openly express romantic interest in the player, no matter their gender. This effectively makes attraction across genders the standard in the game’s world. Players who want a strictly heterosexual experience have to specifically choose that path, as most characters are open to relationships with any gender.

‘Hades’ (2020)

Supergiant Games offers a fresh take on Greek mythology, presenting it in a contemporary and welcoming way. In the game, Prince Zagreus can develop romantic relationships with characters like Megaera, one of the Furies, and Thanatos, the personification of death. The story portrays these attractions as a normal and accepted part of who he is. Throughout the game, which involves repeatedly exploring a dungeon, ancient gods and heroes naturally mention their own same-sex relationships.

‘The Last of Us Part II’ (2020)

The Last of Us Part II centers on Ellie Williams and her complex relationships, particularly her romantic connection with Dina. This romance is a core emotional element of the story, set against a backdrop of intense, post-apocalyptic violence. The game portrays Ellie’s sexuality as an integral part of who she is, shaping her choices and anxieties. Players experience the story directly through Ellie’s perspective as a lesbian character, and this aspect of her identity isn’t changeable.

‘Life is Strange’ (2015)

Dontnod Entertainment’s episodic adventure puts you in the role of Max Caulfield, who can manipulate time. The story focuses on the deep emotional connection between Max and her best friend, Chloe Price. Although players make choices throughout the game, the narrative always emphasizes the strong bond between these two women, which is central to the plot and goes beyond a typical friendship.

‘I Was a Teenage Exocolonist’ (2022)

Northway Games created a story-driven RPG that lets players explore completely flexible gender and sexuality. The game is set in a futuristic colony where traditional labels for identity aren’t used. Players can build romantic relationships with characters of any gender, and the game focuses on emotional connection rather than physical characteristics. The game naturally includes non-binary characters and explores polyamorous relationships as part of everyday life.

‘Tell Me Why’ (2020)

Dontnod Entertainment created an innovative narrative adventure game with a central character named Tyler Ronan. The story revolves around Tyler reconnecting with his twin sister to reveal long-held family secrets. Tyler is a transgender man, and the game respectfully incorporates his identity into the story, allowing players to experience the game from a transgender perspective as the main way to play.

‘Gone Home’ (2013)

Fullbright’s exploration game surprised players by focusing on a deeply personal story. You explore an abandoned house, uncovering clues about what happened to the protagonist’s family. What begins as a mystery becomes a heartwarming tale of a young woman coming to terms with her sexuality and falling in love. Unlike typical games in this style, the story centers on this queer romance rather than scares or suspense.

‘Monster Prom’ (2018)

Beautiful Glitch created a dating simulator where players can build relationships with any character, no matter what gender the player chooses for themselves. The game is set in a high school where liking people of the same gender is completely normal, and the funny writing treats everyone as naturally fluid in their attractions. It’s all part of the fun as characters compete for prom dates!

‘Celeste’ (2018)

I recently played this platformer by Extremely OK Games, and it totally blew me away. It’s super challenging, but it’s about way more than just jumping and running. It’s actually a really powerful story about figuring yourself out and dealing with anxiety. The creator later shared that the main character, Madeline, is a trans woman, and honestly, it makes so much sense! Little things throughout the game, and the whole story arc of her climbing the mountain, really hit home when you realize that it’s about the journey of self-acceptance and finding your true identity. It’s a really special game that really stuck with me.

‘Signalis’ (2022)

Rose-engine created a chilling survival horror game inspired by classic anime and the unsettling themes of cosmic horror. The story follows Elster as she frantically searches for her girlfriend and commanding officer. A deeply loving lesbian relationship is central to the plot, providing a beacon of hope within a frightening and decaying industrial world. The game portrays this connection as the sole source of comfort in an otherwise bleak and lifeless universe.

‘Unpacking’ (2021)

Witch Beam tells a quiet story simply by letting players organize items in different homes. You experience the life of a woman as she goes through different phases and relationships. Through subtle details in the environment, you discover she’s building a life with her girlfriend and starting a family. Remarkably, the entire story is conveyed without any spoken words.

‘Night in the Woods’ (2017)

Infinite Fall’s adventure game explores themes of mental health and the feeling of being stuck in a small town. The main character, Mae Borowski, is pansexual, and this is presented as a natural aspect of who she is. Several other characters, like Mae’s friend Gregg and his partner Angus, are also LGBTQ+, and the town of Possum Springs accepts these relationships as simply part of everyday life.

‘Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator’ (2017)

Game Grumps created a heartwarming visual novel focused on gay dads and romance. Players design their own dad character and build relationships with other single fathers nearby. The game intentionally features only same-sex relationships, offering a lighthearted and genuinely sweet experience.

‘Butterfly Soup’ (2017)

Brianna Lei created a visual novel centered around four young, Asian-American lesbian baseball players. The game beautifully portrays the friendships and developing relationships between these characters, honestly capturing the unique challenges and happiness of being a queer teenager. It’s notable for presenting a world where being a lesbian is simply the norm for everyone.

‘Bugsnax’ (2020)

The game Young Horses took players by surprise with its unique creature-collecting gameplay and diverse cast of characters called Grumpuses. What really stood out was the inclusion of several same-sex couples whose relationships are important to the story. Characters like Chandlo and Snorpy openly show their love and dedication to each other, and the game presents these relationships as normal, even within its quirky and sometimes unsettling world.

‘Undertale’ (2015)

Toby Fox’s RPG is unique because it playfully examines and reimagines traditional role-playing game elements, while also featuring a wide range of characters. The main character isn’t defined by gender and uses they/them pronouns. A central part of the story focuses on the romantic relationship between two important characters, Undyne and Alphys, a member of the royal guard and a royal scientist, respectively. The game simply presents these identities as a natural part of its world without making a big deal out of them.

‘Dragon Age II’ (2011)

In BioWare’s games, characters are open to romance with anyone, regardless of the player’s or their own gender. This means the main character, Hawke, can develop a romantic relationship with any available companion. This design choice portrays a world where bisexuality is common, and players are free to choose their romantic path without limitations based on gender.

‘Stardew Valley’ (2016)

ConcernedApe’s farming game lets players marry anyone in town, regardless of gender. All residents are potential romantic partners, and same-sex couples have the same opportunities as heterosexual couples, including adopting children and participating fully in all town events. The game treats all relationships equally, offering a normal and fulfilling farm life for everyone.

‘Outer Wilds’ (2019)

Mobius Digital designed a unique world where people don’t use ‘he’ or ‘she’ pronouns. The Hearthians, the game’s main species, only use gender-neutral terms to refer to each other. Their biology doesn’t include traditional gender roles at all. As players journey through the solar system, they embody a character who exists outside typical human ideas about gender.

‘Goodbye Volcano High’ (2023)

KO_OP’s narrative adventure follows a group of dinosaur friends navigating their senior year of high school. The story centers on Fang, a non-binary character who uses they/them pronouns, and features a diverse cast of queer characters. It’s a teen drama and romance where LGBTQ+ experiences take center stage.

Share your favorite game that centers queer narratives in the comments.

2025-12-09 06:49