The world of video games has come a long way over the years when it comes to respectful representations of the LGBT community. The boom of indie games in recent years has additionally helped with many members of the LGBT community developing games on their own without worry about mandates from higher-ups.
With June being Pride Month, now is the perfect time to show off games that are both fun to play and provide good representations of members of the LGBT community. These games don't necessarily have to be about the experiences of being LGBT, but some of them are.
All of these games come recommended and some are currently available in the Itch.io Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality.
Smile for Me
Smile for Me is a casual adventure game by Gabe Lane and Yugo Limbo where players have to solve the problems of people living in a complex known as the Habitat. The game has players answer any dialogue option by nodding their camera like their head.
All of the residents in the Habitat came in hopes of becoming happy, but living there doesn't seem to be good enough for them. However, the help and kindness from the player, known as Flower Kid, can help them remember their happiness once more. The only really worry is the head of the Habitat, Dr. Habit, who doesn't seem to be too happy with the players' efforts.
With charming writing, art, and music, this game makes for a fun playthrough. It additionally features multiple characters with same-gender attraction as well as characters that go by they/them pronouns. While the player themselves cannot pursue romantic relationships with any of the characters, Smile for Me is mostly about getting to know the Habitat's residents rather than about the player's character.
There are a total of three different endings with some factors that can change in each ending depending on the actions the players take. Smile for Me is available on Itch.io and Steam.
One Night, Hot Springs
One Night, Hot Springs is a short visual novel about a Japanese trans woman named Haru going to a hot spring with her friend, Manami, for her birthday, but struggles to figure out what bath she can enjoy. This game is a sensitive story about the struggles of being trans, especially while living in Japan.
There are a total of seven different endings, but the game is pretty short, allowing players to quickly play through multiple times to see everything it has to offer. It's an overall tender experience that's worth it for players from all different walks of life.
Players who want more after completing One Night, Hot Springs can also enjoy the two sequel games by the same creator, Last Day of Spring and Spring Leaves No Flowers. One Night, Hot Springs is available on Steam, Itch.io, and the Google Play Store.
Night In the Woods
Night in the Woods is an adventure game released in 2017 after a very successful campaign on Kickstarter. The game follows Mae, an anthropomorphic cat, who had come back to her home town to live with her parents after dropping out of college. As players explore her hometown, they will discover that things are different from how Mae remembers before she left.
Players have the freedom to have Mae reconnect with her old friends and explore Possum Springs. However, the mystery behind what is happening there and why many characters treat Mae so strangely can also be discovered by players as well. The events of Night in the Woods are sure to stick with most players no matter what choices they make throughout their journeys.
Mae herself identifies as pansexual, meaning that she feels attraction to others without gender being a factor. While there aren't really any romantic moments involving Mae, her friend Gregg is attracted to men with him having a boyfriend named Angus. Both Gregg and Angus are important characters in the Night in the Woods with players getting to know both of their backstories by playing through.
Night in the Woods is available on Steam, Itch.io, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator
Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator is a dating sim where players can play as a dad who dates other dads. Dad jokes are aplenty, but there are also plenty of serious moments when getting to know the dads of Dream Daddy. The ultimate goal of the game is to romantically end up with a dad while also being a dad.
The game has a lot of options when crafting the playable character. These options include choosing whether or not the player character is cis gendered or transgender. Through dialogue, players can also decide if they are gay or bisexual as well. These choices additionally don't affect how the dateable dads will treat the player and are there more to make the game more immersive for some players. One of the dateable dads, Damien, is actually transgender with dialogue referencing usage of chest binders.
Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator is available on Steam, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
Undertale
Most people by now have heard of the indie smash hit of 2015, Undertale. This title took the world by storm upon its release after a very successful Kickstarter campaign.
For those who are somehow unaware, Undertale is an RPG developed by Toby Fox. In it, players explore the land of the Underground as they make the choice to fight or befriend the monsters that attack them on their journey. As players venture further on their quest, they will discover the stories of the characters who live there and possibly befriend them.
One of the main characters of Undertale is Undyne, the head of the royal guards. While initially hostile toward the player, she will eventually warm up to the player if players reach out to her. Without any spoilers mentioned, Undyne is attracted to girls and can later end up with another girl monster. Another main character of Undertale is Alphys, the royal scientist. Throughout Undertale, she shows attraction to both male and female characters.
Undertale is available on Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Nintendo Switch.