IF Romances

Recommendations by Emily Short

IF in the romance genre is rare; here are a few I thought worked well.

1. Masquerade
by Kathleen M. Fischer
(2000)
Average member rating: (21 ratings)

Emily Short says:

Set in the old west. You play a young lady who isn't entirely content with the social constraints on what a lady may do...

2. Dinner with Andre, by Liza Daly (2000)
Average member rating: (13 ratings)
Emily Short says:

A largely puzzly game about dating misadventures.

3. shadows on the mirror
by Chrysoula Tzavelas
(2003)
Average member rating: (20 ratings)

Emily Short says:

A very widely branching conversation game. Whether this counts as $0romance$0 or not will depend heavily on how you play.

4. The Cove
by Kathleen M. Fischer
(2000)
Average member rating: (12 ratings)

Emily Short says:

A contemplative, solitary landscape piece, a companion to Masquerade, about memories of a relationship past.

5. August, by Matt Fendahleen (2001)
Average member rating: (15 ratings)
Emily Short says:

A deeply strange conversation game: despite some quirks and flaws, it has many memorable moments.

6. Jigsaw
by Graham Nelson
(1995)
Average member rating: (48 ratings)

Emily Short says:

An extremely difficult puzzle game about history, time travel, and fate, but there is also a romance threaded through it.

7. Blighted Isle
by Eric Eve
(2007)
Average member rating: (28 ratings)

Emily Short says:

A game of moderately difficult puzzles, adventure, and light romance. The player may choose how to relate to each of several female characters.

8. The Tale of the Kissing Bandit
by J. Robinson Wheeler
(2001)
Average member rating: (32 ratings)

Emily Short says:

A light-hearted romantic game.

9. Plundered Hearts
by Amy Briggs
(1987)
Average member rating: (38 ratings)

Emily Short says:

A terrific swash-buckling tale, with pirates, sword fights, swinging from ropes, disguises, and much more. Silly but fabulous.

10. Violet
by Jeremy Freese
(2008)
Average member rating: (188 ratings)

Emily Short says:

A bit more down-to-earth than most of the other entries here, but it's a remarkably entertaining game with a romance at the center.