If you’re sitting in front of a computer reading about video games on Valentine’s Day, then it’s just possible that you might need some dating tips. But that’s okay because there are plenty of video games that can teach you valuable lessons about being a better boyfriend or girlfriend
The 2009 RPG hit from Bioware, Dragon Age has much to impart about wooing possible love
interests. In order to earn the
loyalty of your party members, you could give them gifts that you purchased
from vendors during your adventures.
However each party member has certain interests, and you’ll build the
most loyalty by giving the right gift to the right person. You can romance the sexy witch Morrigan
by presenting her with a mirror that hold special meaning for her. The lesson learned here is that you
shouldn’t try to buy love with lots of gifts, but rather by listening to your
love and getting them things that have personal significance.
In 2008, indie puzzler Braid became a critical darling with it’s subtle plot, and time-controlling
game mechanic. The protagonist is
out to reclaim his princess by using his ability to reverse the flow of
time. Along the way he discovers
that he can’t really erase his mistakes.
Only by learning from them can he continue his journey. Likewise, in any relationship, there
will be mistakes. Don’t try to
erase them; learn from them.
Rockstar’s 2001 action game Max Payne featured some time-controlling powers too, but those fancy “Bullet Time” moves didn’t let Max save his wife from getting killed. Max vows vengeance against the drug lords who made the drug which lead to his wife’s death, and much shooting ensues. Now, vowing vengeance against those who kill the ones you love is a classic video game story, and it’s perfectly natural to respond to the death of a loved one by going on a ruthless vigilante shooting spree. However, here’s another great lesson that we can learn from Max Payne and the countless other games that use the same plot: Don’t put the ones you love in danger. Then you won’t have to become all hard-boiled and run around shooting drug dealers in slow motion. Instead, you can stay home, cuddle on the couch and Netflix the film version of Max Payne with Mark Wahlberg.
Of course you might still end up losing the one you
love. What steps would you take to
get them back? That’s the question
behind Sony’s 2005 game Shadow of the Colossus. The protagonist brings
the body of the woman he loves to the ruins of a temple in a deserted
land. There he learns that he must
kill sixteen innocent magical creatures in order to bring her back to
life. This ends badly for our
hero. The lesson learned here is
clear; Don’t be a jerk! You can’t
get back someone you love by acting like a jackass, whether you’re stabbing
Colossi with a magic sword, or leaving nasty messages on someone’s voice mail,
this isn’t going to help the situation.
If you’re a woman, look no further than World Of Warcraft for dating advice. Just put on a chainmail bikini and do a sexy dance next to a
mailbox all day long. You’ll have
plenty of Valentine’s Day plans before you're through.