History UnresolvedSexualTension / VideoGames

* ''Franchise/MetalGear'':

** In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3'', there's an awkward version of this between Snake and EVA. Creator/HideoKojima used EnforcedMethodActing to make sure that Snake always looked awkward around her and instinctively freezes when she comes on to him, but at the same time [[MaleGaze he's unable to take his eyes off her rack]]. (Although once he begins to fall in love with her, the 'Snake Cam' is always pointed at her face.) Kojima has said his idea was to deal with the beginnings of the sexual revolution, with EVA being ''very'' (unhealthily) sexually liberated to the point where she doesn't understand relationships that don't involve a sexual component, while Snake's conservative older attitudes about sex keep him from getting close to people (or [[ChasteHero understanding the very sexual internal politics of Groznyj Grad]], which EVA can understand immediately).

** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4'' has oodles between Snake and Naomi in his medical examination scene, which is all played in a humorous kind of way (Snake accidentally catching a glance up Naomi's skirt while collecting a dropped cigarette, Naomi ordering him to 'strip' and him getting embarrassed, the odd part where Snake catches her wrist while she's holding a rose and they end up in a sort of clinch like tango dancers) until Naomi actually does see him naked, at which point she bursts into tears. Not great for Snake's self-esteem.

** As of late Leon and Claire Redfield (Chris’ sister), have displayed this. Being survivors of Raccoon City together and Sherry Birkin’s surrogate parents in ''[=RE2=]'' they’re quite close and affectionate, with Leon wishing in ''Anime/ResidentEvilDegeneration'' he could meet Claire under “normal circumstances”. ''Anime/ResidentEvilInfiniteDarkness'' confirms there’s buried feelings they [[CannotSpitItOut aren’t admitting]] to each other, as when Leon [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl desperately]] pulls Claire to safety in the climax, they have a SuggestiveCollision and both take a moment’s pause in which Leon asks if she’s okay. In the BittersweetEnding where Leon and Claire part ways [[note]] due to Leon’s unwillingness to hand over incriminating evidence of the Government’s wrongdoing, resulting in a WhatTheHellHero from Claire [[/note]] Leon sadly says he’d hoped Claire would ask him out for dinner and Claire is noticeably upset at how their lives have taken different directions.
* Fox [=McCloud=] and Krystal had this for a good majority of their appearances together in the ''VideoGame/StarFox'' series even though they end up an OfficialCouple. In ''[[VideoGame/StarFoxCommand Command]]'', due to [[ItsNotYouItsMyEnemies some problems on Fox's part]] they have broken up and Krystal has become a WomanScorned, resulting in much more of this (there are [[MultipleEndings 9 different endings]], in some of which, they actually do [[HappilyMarried get together]], in others they split up for good). However, ''Command'' seems to have become a case of CanonDiscontinuity, casting further doubt on exactly ''how'' resolved their status is.
** Fox and [[Magazine/NintendoPower Fara]] shared that experience as well - but at least ''they'' never split up.

* ''VideoGame/{{Saints Row 2}}'': The British Male voice-set for the Boss seems to believe there's some of this going on between Pierce and Shaundi, sometimes randomly remarking "I wish Pierce would quit bitchin' about Shaundi and just fuck 'er already."

* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' is chock full of this, especially when it comes to a (Male) Protagonist and Yukari. The game blatantly puts the two together in would-be romantic situations outside of her Social Link, but when you max out her Social Link, she admits her love and tells him not to make plans that evening...and ends with a rather ambiguous sentence about what came after (something that carries over into Persona 4). And given the ending, the amount of UST could be irksome.

* ''VideoGame/ArtOfFighting'' enforces it between Robert Garcia and Yuri Sakazaki, by having [[OverprotectiveDad her father]] and [[MySisterIsOffLimits her brother]] constantly prevent Robert from ever being alone with her. Which frustrates Yuri, since they won't let her have a love life even though she's an adult. Yet, her dad has ''[[DoubleStandard no problem]]'' [[ShipperOnDeck with her brother dating King]] and [[IWantGrandkids actively encourages it.]]

* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' makes copious usage of this trope, since each game features ShipTease between the male and female protagonists while ''[[NoHuggingNoKissing never]]'' actually seeing anyone hook up. In a franchise with LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters, Barry Burton and Ethan Winters are the ''only'' protagonists to have a romantic partner as part of their respective backstories.

** As of late Leon and Claire Redfield (Chris’ sister), have displayed this. Being survivors of Raccoon City together and being Sherry Birkin’s surrogate parents in ''[=RE2=]'' they’re quite close and affectionate with Leon wishing in ''Anime/ResidentEvilDegeneration'' he could meet Claire under “normal circumstances”. ''Anime/ResidentEvilInfiniteDarkness'' confirms there’s buried feelings they [[CannotSpitItOut aren’t admitting]] to each other, as when Leon [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl desperately]] pulls Claire to safety in the climax, they have a SuggestiveCollision and both take a moment’s pause in which Leon asks if she’s okay. In the BittersweetEnding where Leon and Claire part ways [[note]] due to Leon’s unwillingness to hand over incriminating evidence of the Government’s wrongdoing, resulting in a WhatTheHellHero from Claire [[/note]] Leon sadly says he’d hoped Claire would ask him out for dinner and Claire is noticeably upset at how their lives have taken different directions.

* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' makes copious usage of this trope, since each game features ShipTease between the male and female protagonists while ''never'' actually seeing anyone hook up. In a franchise with LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters, Barry Burton and Ethan Winters are the ''only'' protagonists to have a romantic partner as part of their respective backstories.
** Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine also seem to have plenty of this going on as well. Ever since ''[=REmake=]'', the series has been filled with not so subtle signs of a deeper affection whenever the two are onscreen, even though it's never been taken further. Even Chris's new (working) partner Sheva in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' makes the quick deduction [[EveryoneCanSeeIt that he and Jill were "close"]] after he recounts a brief description about her. ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilRevelations'' similarly sees Chris paired with another woman, Jessica, who shamelessly flirts with him and is consistently ignored.
** Leon S. Kennedy and Ada Wong shared a LastKiss and a love confession in their initial [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil2 outing]], but have since evolved into something official material simply describes as "complicated". Leon is the [[DatingCatwoman "Batman" to Ada's "Catwoman"]], their duties as a government agent and a mercenary consistently putting them at odds even when their connection is obvious. In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil6'', Helena repeatedly presses Leon about his feelings for Ada, while BigBad [[StalkerWithACrush Simmons]] openly considers Leon his romantic rival.

* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'': It'd be hard to deny that there isn't some sort of attraction between Ada Wong and Leon Kennedy, though it'd be just as hard to say on whose end and to what extent. Ada's thoughts and actions are a pretty clear indication that Ada genuinely loves Leon, but can't seem to act on it due to circumstances. Ada is pretty much [[DatingCatwoman "Catwoman" to Leon's "Batman"]].
** Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine also seem to have plenty of this going on as well. Ever since ''[=REmake=]'', the series has been filled with not so subtle signs of a deeper affection whenever the two are onscreen, even though it's never been taken further. Even Chris's new (working) partner Sheva in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' makes the quick deduction [[EveryoneCanSeeIt that he and Jill were "close"]] after he recounts a brief description about her.

* In the ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney'' series this might just be going between Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey, although this is purely hypothetical. Maya's younger cousin Pearl Fey is absolutely sure this is just what's happening and Maya acting rather annoyed (and possibly jealous) at Phoenix knowing Adrian Andrews, while Maya herself has never met Adrian, when they meet her in the third game might be a hint. Yet again, this is very hypothetical, but there are some interesting hints if you know where to look. There are also a few hints at an unresolved sexual tension existing between Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth, which is supported by a few possible [[HoYay hints]] as well but is also highly hypothetical.
** In ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneySpiritOfJustice'' there are some hints of this going on between the new prosecutor Nahyuta Sahdmadhi and his detective Ema Skye. It's hard not to think about it when Ema herself admits she can't say no when the prosecutor asks her for something. She even decides to [[spoiler:leave the country to continue helping him on his cases]] at the end of the game, despite claiming how annoying he is.

** There are many hints of LeBlanc and Swain having known each other for quite a while and that their alliance isn't purely platonic. Notably, on LeBlanc's end, her League Judgement shows her being very tender towards Swain, and 'hung from his arm' as his date at a ball that was being held in his honor. The latest 'Reborn' promotion has her quipping that she hasn't "had the pleasure of (his) company for some time". Swain has flip-flopped from being fairly social in her League Judgement, to sounding fairly cold in the latest Reborn promo (although Reborn is only strictly dialogue lines with no exposition describing how things are said).