Is romance optional or forced in this game?

[gbuglyo]

I’ve been considering this game (beginning with Part I, obviously) since I’ve heard so many great things about it. However, I came across this page:

https://www.ign.com/wikis/final-fantasy-7-rebirth/Romance_and_Relationship_Guide

From what I understand, the game includes two date scenes and quite a bit of romance-related dialogue, with potentially more to come in Part III. But it seems you can’t manually choose your partner or opt out of romance entirely. Instead, the game decides your partner based on their approval score towards your character. To me, this feels like a strange design choice, especially if the game includes non-heterosexual romances. Why not give players more control over whether or not they want romance?

Personally, I always increase approval scores to get the best ending and to avoid missing out on sidequest content. But I’m not a fan of optional romance in games and prefer to opt out. Based on what I’ve read, that doesn’t seem possible here.

Am I misunderstanding how this works, or is the romance unavoidable?

[Space Dandy]

It's the same as the original and non-optional. The "date" scenes with the male party members are not romantic at all. Mostly comedic with a bit of emotional connection.

The scenes with the Tifa and Aerith definitely are, but that romantic tension is already in the game whether you end up on the date with one of them or not.

[zpiders]

It's forced, the main love intrest is Cloud & Sephiroth. Sephiroth loves getting up close & personal with Cloud.

[Seagal]

I saw this and some of the dialogue choices throughout the game and I didn't like it. I guess you technically could wind up on a date with Barrett. I have no idea if the scene was framed and delivered as some sort of romantic thing or just a couple of guys going out as friends, but, it looked like you would be forced into some kind of romance.

No idea if you get to choose if max approval multiple options, or if you get a straight up choice no matter what, but I'd rather stuff like that was no in the game, or if it is have it so it's clearly defined what you're picking.

[gbuglyo]

Originally posted by Space Dandy:

It's the same as the original and non-optional. The "date" scenes with the male party members are not romantic at all. Mostly comedic with a bit of emotional connection.

The scenes with the Tifa and Aerith definitely are, but that romantic tension is already in the game whether you end up on the date with one of them or not.

I see, thanks for the quick reply. How "mushy" is the game overall? Some JRPGs can get pretty obnoxious with their romance.

[gbuglyo]

Originally posted by Seagal:

I saw this and some of the dialogue choices throughout the game and I didn't like it. I guess you technically could wind up on a date with Barrett. I have no idea if the scene was framed and delivered as some sort of romantic thing or just a couple of guys going out as friends, but, it looked like you would be forced into some kind of romance.

No idea if you get to choose if max approval multiple options, or if you get a straight up choice no matter what, but I'd rather stuff like that was no in the game, or if it is have it so it's clearly defined what you're picking.

I don't have anything against LGBT romance in most games as long as it stays optional, but forcing a player into one based only on approval score is... weird, and will likely lead to some backlash, if what you're saying is true.

[光 Slipstr]

Cloud is supposed to be with tifa, the other options are there because the original game had it so Cloud wasnt just Cloud. Like you couldve named him after yourself and decided to romance aerith. The "date" with Barrett isnt actually a date its just two dudes in an awkward situation thats simply meant to be a funny cutscene for the player. Every other option leads to simple stuff like holding aeriths hand or yuffie kissing him on the cheek then getting all pissy about it. But the only true romance is Cloud and Tifa, its the only option where Cloud willingly chooses to kiss her and actually leave the "date" with a real sense of romance. The scenes that come off as "awkward" seem that way because Cloud is quite literally a schizophrenic dealing with an identity crisis that doesnt know how to handle social situations. Perfect example of this is in the first game where Aerith keeps trying to give him a simple high five and hes just too busy being this fake persona he made for himself that he doesnt know how to respond. Its a lot deeper than simple romance, Cloud isnt ok and it shows in the way he responds to things his party does.

[gbuglyo]

Originally posted by 光 Slipstr:

Cloud is supposed to be with tifa, the other options are there because the original game had it so Cloud wasnt just Cloud. Like you couldve named him after yourself and decided to romance aerith. The "date" with Barrett isnt actually a date its just two dudes in an awkward situation thats simply meant to be a funny cutscene for the player. Every other option leads to simple stuff like holding aeriths hand or yuffie kissing him on the cheek then getting all pissy about it. But the only true romance is Cloud and Tifa, its the only option where Cloud willingly chooses to kiss her and actually leave the "date" with a real sense of romance. The scenes that come off as "awkward" seem that way because Cloud is quite literally a schizophrenic dealing with an identity crisis that doesnt know how to handle social situations. Perfect example of this is in the first game where Aerith keeps trying to give him a simple high five and hes just too busy being this fake persona he made for himself that he doesnt know how to respond. Its a lot deeper than simple romance, Cloud isnt ok and it shows in the way he responds to things his party does.

I think I got it, thanks for explaining. The games I’ve played with romance content usually fall into one of two categories:

1. Pre-written romance with a single love interest, like in Grandia or Prince of Persia games. Typically, the romance is a core part of the story, and I don’t mind it.

2. Choice-based romance, where you decide whom to pursue (or not), like in Dragon Age, Baldur’s Gate, and Mass Effect games. Since these romances aren’t central to the story and feel like afterthoughts, I always skip them.

So, this game seems to be a unique mix of the two, but it ultimately leans closer to type 1, right?

[prusswan]

Cloud will get three wives and more