Games Pre-"Woke" That Allowed You to Role-Play as Gay

[Gibbel]

Fallout 2 (1998) – Same-sex marriage was possible, making it one of the earliest RPGs to include this feature.

The Sims (2000) – From the very first game, Sims could engage in same-sex relationships without restrictions.

Fable (2004) – Allowed players to romance and marry NPCs of the same gender.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines (2004) – Included bisexual and same-sex romance options depending on player choices.

Temple of Elemental Evil (2003) – Featured a side quest where male characters could marry another man.

Ultima VII: The Black Gate (1992) – Contained subtle references to same-sex relationships.

Final Fantasy VII (1997) – Cloud could go on a date with Barret, a rare example of a same-sex romantic interaction in a major RPG at the time.



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Yeah, I’m sure they checked a diversity box with that one black dude and threw in the bare minimum for representation. But let’s be honest—they barely put in the effort to make it meaningful.

[Seath]

Bully 2006

[Arthur (The king)]

Its in a medieval Bohemia setting, not fantasy setting.

Christianity was running strong back then, and being gay was a sin punishable by death.

Also women in this game feel a bit off, they are empowered and strong.

One of them even slap a guard face without any consequences while the game is depicting the said guard as a misogynist. This scene feels like a lecture on feminism, its boring and does not serve any purpose.

I think in reality, slapping a guard across the face in a feudal period would not be a good idea. The guard could jail the women for "assaulting him" and I bet it was very rare because of the strong Christian values.

[Gibbel]

Originally posted by Scratch:

Its in a medieval Bohemia setting, not fantasy setting.

Christianity was running strong back then, and being gay was a sin punishable by death.

Also women in this game feel a bit off, they are empowered and strong.

One of them even slap a guard face without any consequences while the game is depicting the said guard as a misogynist. This scene feels like a lecture on feminism, its boring and does not serve any purpose.

I think in reality, slapping a guard across the face in a feudal period would not be a good idea. The guard could jail the women for "assaulting him" and I bet it was very rare because of the strong Christian values.

Women weren’t slaves, not even back then. While societal roles were different, history isn’t as black-and-white as you suggest. Women in medieval Bohemia could run businesses, inherit property, and even influence politics. Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD) already portrayed strong female characters, so this isn’t some sudden deviation.

Also, while the game aims for historical accuracy, it’s still a game. Creative liberties are always taken, and a bit of dramatization is inevitable. If we were to apply strict historical realism to every aspect, the game would be far less enjoyable. Besides, not everything in KCD I was 100% historically accurate either.

As for the scene in question, storytelling sometimes prioritizes character development over absolute realism. If a guard was portrayed as a misogynist, maybe the slap was meant to highlight that his authority wasn’t absolute, or that societal norms weren’t as rigid as you assume.

At the end of the day, it’s a game, not a documentary. If a single scene breaks immersion for you, that’s fair—but let’s not act like history was a monolith where every woman lived in fear of retribution for speaking up.

[RAW SWINE]

Han's is 15 for crying out loud, is that what you are trying to justify with this post? This game is sick

[Gibbel]

Originally posted by RAW SWINE:

Han's is 15 for crying out loud, is that what you are trying to justify with this post? This game is sick

Is KCDII he's approximately 24 years old. KCD I was set in 1403, he was 15 then. KCD II is set in 1412.

[Tolquhon]

Originally posted by RAW SWINE:

Han's is 15 for crying out loud, is that what you are trying to justify with this post? This game is sick

14 or 15 is the legal age of consent in 26 out of 49 countries in Europe. Silly person.

[Lordofriva]

Irrelevant, Henry is a straight character retconned to be bisexual due to pandering the other games did not have that, mentioning FF7 is also absolutely wrong.

[Tolquhon]

Originally posted by Lordofriva:

Irrelevant, Henry is a straight character retconned to be bisexual due to pandering the other games did not have that, mentioning FF7 is also absolutely wrong.

You don't understand what retconned means. Or how bisexuality works. Or how RPGs work.

[Gibbel]

Originally posted by Lordofriva:

Irrelevant, Henry is a straight character retconned to be bisexual due to pandering the other games did not have that, mentioning FF7 is also absolutely wrong.

He's not bisexual unless you roleplay him to be bisexual.

My Hans in my rpg game is a straight womanizer.

[ShadowSplit]

That was a different time. It was seen as a joke or some kind of forbidden fruit. Now is everywhere so it became stale.
Back when I was a kid and young teen, I didn't even know that same sex relationship is a thing. On the other hand, I lived relatively normal life. Save from war time.

[(The Creek Stands) Wolfstrand]

Originally posted by Gibbel:

Fallout 2 (1998) – Same-sex marriage was possible, making it one of the earliest RPGs to include this feature.

The Sims (2000) – From the very first game, Sims could engage in same-sex relationships without restrictions.

Fable (2004) – Allowed players to romance and marry NPCs of the same gender.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines (2004) – Included bisexual and same-sex romance options depending on player choices.

Temple of Elemental Evil (2003) – Featured a side quest where male characters could marry another man.

Ultima VII: The Black Gate (1992) – Contained subtle references to same-sex relationships.

Final Fantasy VII (1997) – Cloud could go on a date with Barret, a rare example of a same-sex romantic interaction in a major RPG at the time.



---

Yeah, I’m sure they checked a diversity box with that one black dude and threw in the bare minimum for representation. But let’s be honest—they barely put in the effort to make it meaningful.

Those werent forced like they are trying to do here

[Ys]

Originally posted by (The Creek Stands) Wolfstrand:

Originally posted by Gibbel:

Fallout 2 (1998) – Same-sex marriage was possible, making it one of the earliest RPGs to include this feature.

The Sims (2000) – From the very first game, Sims could engage in same-sex relationships without restrictions.

Fable (2004) – Allowed players to romance and marry NPCs of the same gender.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines (2004) – Included bisexual and same-sex romance options depending on player choices.

Temple of Elemental Evil (2003) – Featured a side quest where male characters could marry another man.

Ultima VII: The Black Gate (1992) – Contained subtle references to same-sex relationships.

Final Fantasy VII (1997) – Cloud could go on a date with Barret, a rare example of a same-sex romantic interaction in a major RPG at the time.



---

Yeah, I’m sure they checked a diversity box with that one black dude and threw in the bare minimum for representation. But let’s be honest—they barely put in the effort to make it meaningful.

Those werent forced like they are trying to do here

Ok, please tell me what makes gay character or gay romance option forced? Because I hear it being said in every single case since at least Dragon Age Origins.

[anseli94tg]

Originally posted by ShadowSplit:

That was a different time. It was seen as a joke or some kind of forbidden fruit. Now is everywhere so it became stale.
Back when I was a kid and young teen, I didn't even know that same sex relationship is a thing. On the other hand, I lived relatively normal life. Save from war time.

The issue is that way back when, 1400, 1500, no matter, the punishment for fornication of any kind was a serious offense. With another woman beside your own, as a Man yourself with another MAN or an animal, someone who was too young or too old, or with a woman who sells herself for services:

The punishment was capital, and if it was repeated offenses, you were burnt by the stake or on a pile of wood or after having been "gerädert", as fire was the only way to cleanse someone that dirty before the Holy Spirit.

There's no wiggle room, there is no exceptions. You had to hide yourself and nobody of honor, knight or soldier, would even dare take the chance of maybe getting away unseen.

Just hanging out with a man in public and giving each other "that look", or walking too suspiciously could literally net you an interrogation by the Kämmerer, Ratsherr, all maybe, depending on the case, in the presence of the Scharfrichter and a Priest, so your confessions are as honest as they can possibly be.

Too long didn't read - the game shows something that cannot be, and from that point of view its a collossal fail.

They might as well have given us the choice to play as a female alternate main character, like Fallout, complete with voice lines and all. I'm a maiden myself, and picking up a sword to wield and armor, woah boy

Unthinkable back then, as well.

[ShadowSplit]

Originally posted by anseli94tg:

Originally posted by ShadowSplit:

That was a different time. It was seen as a joke or some kind of forbidden fruit. Now is everywhere so it became stale.
Back when I was a kid and young teen, I didn't even know that same sex relationship is a thing. On the other hand, I lived relatively normal life. Save from war time.

The issue is that way back when, 1400, 1500, no matter, the punishment for fornication of any kind was a serious offense. With another woman beside your own, as a Man yourself with another MAN or an animal, someone who was too young or too old, or with a woman who sells herself for services:

The punishment was capital, and if it was repeated offenses, you were burnt by the stake or on a pile of wood or after having been "gerädert", as fire was the only way to cleanse someone that dirty before the Holy Spirit.

There's no wiggle room, there is no exceptions. You had to hide yourself and nobody of honor, knight or soldier, would even dare take the chance of maybe getting away unseen.

Just hanging out with a man in public and giving each other "that look", or walking too suspiciously could literally net you an interrogation by the Kämmerer, Ratsherr, all maybe, depending on the case, in the presence of the Scharfrichter and a Priest, so your confessions are as honest as they can possibly be.

Too long didn't read - the game shows something that cannot be, and from that point of view its a collossal fail.

They might as well have given us the choice to play as a female alternate main character, like Fallout, complete with voice lines and all. I'm a maiden myself, and picking up a sword to wield and armor, woah boy

Unthinkable back then, as well.

I was referring to the games he listed. Not medieval time.

[Ys]

Originally posted by anseli94tg:

Originally posted by ShadowSplit:

That was a different time. It was seen as a joke or some kind of forbidden fruit. Now is everywhere so it became stale.
Back when I was a kid and young teen, I didn't even know that same sex relationship is a thing. On the other hand, I lived relatively normal life. Save from war time.

The issue is that way back when, 1400, 1500, no matter, the punishment for fornication of any kind was a serious offense. With another woman beside your own, as a Man yourself with another MAN or an animal, someone who was too young or too old, or with a woman who sells herself for services:

The punishment was capital, and if it was repeated offenses, you were burnt by the stake or on a pile of wood or after having been "gerädert", as fire was the only way to cleanse someone that dirty before the Holy Spirit.

There's no wiggle room, there is no exceptions. You had to hide yourself and nobody of honor, knight or soldier, would even dare take the chance of maybe getting away unseen.

Just hanging out with a man in public and giving each other "that look", or walking too suspiciously could literally net you an interrogation by the Kämmerer, Ratsherr, all maybe, depending on the case, in the presence of the Scharfrichter and a Priest, so your confessions are as honest as they can possibly be.

Too long didn't read - the game shows something that cannot be, and from that point of view its a collossal fail.

They might as well have given us the choice to play as a female alternate main character, like Fallout, complete with voice lines and all. I'm a maiden myself, and picking up a sword to wield and armor, woah boy

Unthinkable back then, as well.

If homosexuality was unthinkable back then how will you explain people like Donatello, Da Vinci or Michelangelo who are well confirmed to have been gay. Or Galeazzo Sforza who was infamous for raping both men and women. Similarly we don’t have many sources mentioning capital punishment for homosexuality being actually performed. At the same time accusation of homosexuality were quite commonly used in attempt to discredit an opponent and they didn’t really lead to some sort of instant burning at the stake.

Even in extreme cases like when Pope Pius II to justify war against Rimini, accused Sigismondo Malatesta among many other things, of having sex with his own son. Sigismondo still retained many supporters and managed to defend himself militarily against the Pope.