Romance in video games can be deep and meaningful, but a lot of romantic subplots are on the shallow side thanks to poor NPC characterization.

But if there's one thing BioWare does right as a studio, it's character development. While not all of their romances are moving to the same degree—some not at all—they have a pretty good track record for representing romance between many different types of people. Between Mass Effect and Dragon Age romance plots, there are tons to choose from—these are just a few favorites.

Warning: this list contains SPOILERS for the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series.

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There's No Place Like Home For Tali'Zorah nar Rayya  

Mass Effect Screenshot

Tali'Zorah nar Rayya starts out as Shepard's introduction to quarians in Mass Effect, but by the end of the series she becomes so much more. She's originally on her pilgrimage—a quarian rite of passage that requires young quarians to leave their birth ship in the Migrant Fleet to find something of value and secure their place on a new ship.. By Mass Effect 2, she's a member of a new crew and a more independent and certain character; when their romance begins, it's despite the risk of illness that comes with being a quarian.

Though many fans were disappointed with the ultimate reveal of Tali's face, there's still a lot to like about this romance. Tali changes her name to Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, signifying her attachment to the ship and its crew. And when Shepard ultimately sends her away before heading into the Citadel for the game's climax, telling her to return to the quarian homeworld of Rannoch, she replies that she "already has a home." After years spent as nomadic and even with her homeworld fully restored, it's in her relationship with Shepard that she truly feels at home.

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Page 2: Love in a Time of Dragons

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Fenris Might Be a Broody Dragon Age Romance, But He's Worth It

Fenris Dragon Age Romance

Dragon Age II had a lot of flaws, but the relationship that can develop between Hawke and Fenris was not one of them. Fenris is a former Tevinter slave branded with Lyrium tattoos that grant him significant power but also terrible pain. He can be testy, hard-headed, and his hatred for mages makes him a divisive personality both in game and out, but he's also deeply sympathetic—doing a little digging into his past reveals that this Dragon Age romance has a lot to be afraid of, and though his ways of dealing with it are rarely endearing, his flaws are what make him so intriguing a character.

More importantly, his romance is touching. Though he coldly leaves Hawke for a time because he needs to deal with his past, he returns in the end. Fenris is a character very much stuck in his past, and his ability to move past it and reconcile with a Hawke who might not match his views (a mage or mage sympathizer) shows a character that is much deeper that his brooding exterior implies.

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There's More to Iron Bull Than Meets the Eye

Iron Bull Dragon Age Romance

It's hard not to love the Iron Bull. Though he might be a Ben-Hassrath spy and his giant horns and eye patch make him more than a little intimidating, spending time with this Dragon Age romance option is always a reward. He's funny, charming, and crude, but also incredibly accepting—unlike many of the game's other romance options, Iron Bull doesn't question the Inquisitor's upbringing, culture, or history.

When Iron Bull is forced to choose to save the Chargers or the qunari fleet, you see a different side of him. And in pursuing a romance—a romance that's unique in video games for its portrayal of a safe, consensual, and tender BDSM relationship—you see that while the Iron Bull is a battleworn qunari with scars both mental and physical, he's also capable of great caring. Unlike many characters, it's not about how he changes over the course of his relationship with the Inquisitor, but rather about understanding the many layers that make up the Iron Bull.

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Page 3: Alien Love

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Liara T'soni Outgrows Her Shy Stage

Liara Mass Effect Screenshot

Liara doesn't start off as a fascinating character; she's an archaeologist, somewhat shy, and more than a little awkward. But by the time Lair of the Shadow Broker rolls around, she's taken a serious level in awesomeness. She's cool and calculating and has a huge amount of power thanks to her role as the Shadow Broker, making her a far more interesting and dynamic character than her relatively innocent and naive portrayal in Mass Effect.

By Mass Effect 3, she's dealing with loss on a large scale. She blames herself for the fall of her homeworld, especially because she's descended from Matriarch Benezia. Just before the final battle, Liara joins her consciousness with Shepard's in a ritual reserved for bondmates of the asari. They kiss against the black void of space while the menu song from Mass Effect plays, bringing the relationship full circle.

Honorable Mentions

Garrus Vakarian: There is nothing more wonderful than seeing the generally badass and unflappable Garrus undone by his relationship with Commander Shepard. Bonus points: in The Citadel DLC for Mass Effect 3, he takes dancing lessons to surprise Shepard.

Morrigan: This Dragon Age romance option is interesting not only for her contribution to the plot (no other character is going to give you an Old God baby, after all), but also for the way she comes to accept love despite her distant and strange upbringing.

Cullen: Despite his playing a key role in all three Dragon Age games, it's not until Inquisition that Cullen becomes romanceable, and it's worth the wait—he's dealing with overcoming the person he was, lyrium addiction and all, and watching him grow beyond being a dutiful Templar is a great experience.

Dorian: Dorian, one of the most charming and snarky Dragon Age romance characters, grows beyond the expectations he's under as a Tevinter mage and as heir to the Pavus line. His romance with the Inquisitor allows him to move beyond these expectations and pave a path for himself that he otherwise would never have experienced.

What are your favorite romances from BioWare games?