10 games that let you play as a queer man
If someone asked me who was the first openly gay protagonist in triple-A gaming then I’d struggle to find an answer. Is there one? We know our queer ladies have Ellie from The Last of Us, but what games allow us to play as a queer man as the default, instead of just the option?
The sad answer is that, if I had to wrack my brains, I’d say Tyler Ronan from Tell Me Why. Tyler is a great example, but it just goes to show how triple-A studios still have such a long way to go in creating queer, male characters.
That isn’t necessarily the same for indie games, however. We’ve included a fair few here, and you’ll be pleased to know that they range from romance to horror. No matter what, you’ve got something cool to dig your teeth into.
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town didn’t resonate with me personally during my time with it, but that doesn’t stop it from being a pretty good game for LGBT+ folks. In fact, the recent Story of Season games has been great in allowing you to play as a queer man and woman if you so choose. Pioneers of Olive Town is no different – there’s plenty of bachelors for you to make heart eyes at!
It isn’t the greatest with gender expression – for example, your character will suddenly develop breasts if you decide to put a dress on your masculine farmer – but it’s a far cry from the older games where everything was heteronormative as all hell.
It’s also just a different take on farming and romance from Stardew Valley, another game that also lets you play as a queer man or woman. So, if you love that sort of genre, then do give Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town a go!
Errant Kingdom
A high fantasy game from indie studio Lunaris Games, Errant Kingdom combines political intrigue, hot people, and a full cast of queer people for you to get to know… and even love.
The cast has a combination of sexualities and gender identities, as well as two polyamorous relationship options. And of course, if you’re not interested in romance then don’t fret, you won’t be without content and won’t miss anything.
Ultimately, Errant Kingdom is a fun game that is absolutely full of intricate choices, fascinating characters, and a story that’ll have you on the edge of your seat.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Mass Effect: Andromeda isn’t known as one of the best Mass Effect’s. Why? Well, if you ask us it’s because most Mass Effect fans are cowards because, despite everything it got wrong, it at least didn’t screw up in regards to treating queer men with the same level of respect as it did queer women. That’s something the Mass Effect trilogy can’t say.
There are three different love interests for those who choose to play as a Male Ryder, and like Dragon Age: Inquisition, Mass Effect: Andromeda companions and crew have defined sexualities. There are two straight, four bisexual and two gay love interests, overall. You can also have some flirty dialogue and sex with one or two other characters, but the game doesn’t count them as a ‘relationship’ in the same way as companions and crew members.
Originally, gay Ryder’s didn’t have a squad member who they could travel with as Jaal, now bisexual, was only available for female Ryder’s. However, after major complaints, that was soon changed due to Jaal’s species not even having any concept of heternormative love or sexuality.
Let’s MEAT Adam 1 and 2
We’ve always said that queer stories now need to be messier and more dangerous in its storytelling. Well, nobody had quite taken that concept to heart as much as the Let’s MEAT Adam series.
A combination of puzzle, action, and horror, the games follow a gay protagonist called Adam who finds himself in a situation of violence, gore, and horror. Sometimes, that horror is pretty sexy and for the first game, there are two sex scenes that you can watch unfold. The second game also has sex scenes, but the player character isn’t always the main participant.
Let’s MEAT Adam doesn’t hold back on gore or violence and with all the characters you meet being gay men, this may be hard to stomach for some. If you’re interested in a good story, and love your horror games then this game series will be just what you’re looking for.
Dragon Age series
We’ve already mentioned the Dragon Age games in our queer woman listicle, but playing a queer man in this series is just as possible and very rewarding.
In the first game, Dragon Age: Origins, queer men looking for a same-sex relationship are only able to get down and dirty with local elf assassin Zevran but don’t let that stop you. There are mods, after all, if you’d prefer Alistair.
Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition went all out, however with 2 making everyone bisexual and Inquisition having set sexualities for the cast. Iron Bull in particular was met with positive reception, as this was the first time that players could romance a beefy Qunari.
Coming Out on Top
If you’re thinking, ‘huh, this art style looks awfully familiar to that screenshot of a dude having sex with a goldfish’ then surprise! Coming Out on Top is indeed the game that possesses that very image you remember. It’s totally out of context, by the way.
Anywaaaaay. Coming Out on Top is an extremely gay game about college where players must choose the fate of player character, Mark Matthews. The thing with Mark is that he’s just come out of the closet, so is rearing to go and make up for lost time. Good thing there are six full romance options for you to choose from!
Coming Out on Top is a hysterical, oddly relatable, romp throughout college life. If you’re after that wild of a time, then this game is for you.
Tell Me Why
As we mentioned in our intro, Tell Me Why is the game that springs to mind when it comes to triple-A gaming’s first gay protagonist. Tyler Ronan has become something of a hero to both gay and trans gamers out there, as he has become the first of both in the triple-A scene.
Tyler has never dated before, but that doesn’t stop him from at least being open in about trying to understand his sexuality. Michael, a friend and future boyfriend if you play your cards right, asks Tyler about his sexuality and while Tyler doesn’t give a defined name to it, many fans have speculated that perhaps he is pansexual.
What players have said that they like about Tyler’s portrayal is how it often looks at found family, and how August Aiden Black – Tyler’s voice actor – has had a significant role in making DontNod’s portrayal of Tyler to be as authentic as possible.
Hades
Hades is ultimately a roguelike game that said ‘you know what, let’s make everyone want to absolutely thirst over someone their probably related to.’ And it worked for the most part!
If you’re not all that bloody bothered about Greek pantheons and what goes on behind that Olympian curtain, you’ll be pleased to know that Zagreus is a queer man surrounded by other queer men (and women), including actual legends Achilles and Patroclus. He ain’t afraid to love men, either and we do love a man who loves himself.
There’s a reason that Hades has won almost as many game awards as The Last of Us Part II – because it’s queer as fuck, and it has a fun, interactive cast and combat. We love to see it.
Arcade Spirits
Arcade Spirits is a game where you’re able to choose who you want to be, meaning that yes you can play as a queer man and get to smooch other queer men. Well, that is if you hit all the right notes with these loveable dorks.
A visual novel game set in an alternate universe where the arcade industry didn’t crash, Arcade Spirits has you working in the Funplex – your very own arcade venue. There you’ll meet a number of different people: noisy kids, hot eSport stars, your cute but strict boss… So many people to smooch, so little time.
It’s a very fun and witty game that can take up to about 5 to 6 hours to complete, depending on what choices you make. If you’re interested in giving the game a go – it has a lot of replayability, after all – then don’t wait! Go get it now!
Life is Strange 2
Life is Strange 2 differed from the first game in a small number of ways, but what it didn’t change up was the potential for the main protagonist to express their feelings for both men and women.
This time around you play as Sean, a sweet, but troubled young man who has to flee after accidentally, and unwillingly, breaking the law. He is joined alongside his brother Daniel, and together they meet up with another group. It’s this point that players meet Finn, a brash, young man who players can express interest in.
If you play your cards right, Finn will admit to being pansexual and can end up with Sean at the end of the game. While Sean’s sexuality is determinant, as is the norm for protagonists in the Life is Strange games, he is without a doubt a queer man.
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