Summary
Nothing is more validating than seeing your community represented in your favorite form of entertainment. Luckily, LGBTQ-inclusive video games have become much more common over the years,especially by indie developers. Even better, you don’t have to buy a $500 home console to experience it yourself, since there’s plenty of good queer representation available onmobile devices.
Whether you own an iPhone or Android, you can download dozens of excellent LGBTQ+ titles, including thought-provoking puzzlers, cozy farming sims, and even blood-curdling horror games. These apps feature wholesome same-sex romance options, well-written trans characters, and moving stories about exploring gender identity and sexual preference. The following games, in particular, have the best queer representation your phone can offer.
Looking to test your bravery? The Letter is a spooky visual novel inspired by Japanese horror films like The Ring. When seven unlikely friends enter the haunted Ermengarde Mansion, they’re pursued by a bloodthirsty ghost until they can find a way to break the curse. What follows is a suspenseful, non-linear story where your choices matter. Whether they live or die is up to you.
The game excels thanks to its phenomenal characters, two of whom are openly bisexual. The plot spends plenty of time exploring their coming-out journeys, and there’s evena heartwarming lesbian romance option. If you’re able to stomach the supernatural frights, The Letter is absolutely worth downloading.
Be warned that The Letter delves into a lot of heavy themes, including how mental health is impacted by homophobia. ensure you’re in a good headspace before playing.
Nominated for Best Independent Game at The Game Awards 2017, Night in the Woods is a superb side-scrolling adventure with a nail-biting mystery. The story follows a college dropout named Mae, who returns to her hometown of Possum Springs only to discover its inhabitants are disappearing. Can she and her friends crack the case?
In addition to its gripping plot, the game features a stellar cast of characters, many of whom are members of the LGBTQ+ community. These include Mae’s transgender friend Jackie and the delightfully nerdy CJ and his husband. EvenMae identifies as pansexual.
If Found is a touching visual novel with thebest trans representation on the App Store. The story follows Kasio, a transgender Irish woman who runs away from home to escape her narrow-minded family. From there, she searches for a place to belong while trying to cope with her childhood trauma.
The narrative is told through a series of journal entries, which you erase using touch controls when you’re ready to progress - a powerful metaphor for Kasio moving on from her past. Everything from the hand-drawn visuals to the tear-jerking plot is nothing short of breathtaking. iPhone users won’t want to miss out on this one.
5A Normal Lost Phone
A Fascinating Puzzle Game With Trans Representation
What would you do if you found a missing person’s phone? That’s the question asked in the puzzler A Normal Lost Phone. A bisexual, transgender woman named Sam disappeared on her 18th birthday, and it’s your job to search through her text messages, photos, and dating apps for clues.
The more you investigate, the more you learn about Sam’s backstory, personal struggles, and journey toward gender discovery. It’s a very relatable story with plenty of clever brain-teasers and mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I’d argue the mobile version is the definitive and most immersive way to play this game. Holding an iPhone or Android in real life makes it feel like you’re actually going through someone’s smartphone.
Developed and published by the Game Grumps, Dream Daddy is a hilarious, pun-filled dating sim about flirting with dads. You control a single father who moves to a seaside town where everyone is also a single and ready-to-mingle dad. What are the odds?
You encounter all kinds of quirky, dateable bachelors, including the rebellious bad boy Robert and the mysterious “Goth Dad” Damien. Be prepared to hear countless of those infamous dad jokes along the way. If that sounds like your sense of humor, you’ll love Dream Daddy.
Set in the mid-’90s, Gone Home is a first-person exploration game with thought-provoking LGBTQ+ themes. The story begins when 21-year-old Katie Greenbriar returns home to discover her entire family is missing. The goal is to explore the house, look for clues, and unravel the shocking truth.
Without spoiling too much, the mystery revolves around Katie’s sister, Samantha, and her secret crush on her classmate, Lonnie. It’s a tale of love, heartbreak, and family drama that’s bound to hit home for many people. With no combat or puzzles in your way, you’re free to take in the narrative and its powerful message in a totally stress-free environment.
Often consideredthe coziest mobile game ever, Stardew Valley is a must-play if you want something charming and peaceful. Take control of a young farmer who moves to a lovely small town to look after their late grandfather’s farm. From there, you can harvest crops, go fishing, explore the mines, and mingle with the many endearing villagers.
As for queer representation, the game features many gay romance options. Pelican Town has 12 eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, each of whom you may marry regardless of your gender. Don’t be afraid to flirt with whoever your heart desires.
Arguably the most famous LGBTQ+ video game, Life is Strange is an exhilarating adventure all mobile gamers should try. When high schooler Max Caulfield discovers she has the power to rewind time, she decides to use her abilities to investigate the disappearance of her friend, Rachel Amber.
On top of the engaging story, head-scratching puzzles, and branching dialogue options, the game stands out thanks toits exceptional bisexual romancebetween Max and her partner, Chloe. Simply put, both the narrative and characters will stick with you long after the credits roll.
