Growing Up Romance Guide – Which characters can you romance, and more
Growing Up is exactly what it says on the tin: a game about growing up. From the care-free beginnings of infancy right up to the struggles of adulthood, this life simulator allows players to live their lives to the fullest – get good grades, have fun, and fall in love. That last part is where our Growing Up romance guide comes in…
In Growing Up you’re able to romance several characters, some of which are part of the game’s free DLC. As you progress throughout your life, you’ll meet at least 3 characters that you’re able to form either a friendship or a romantic relationship with. These characters will grow up alongside you, and are some of the most memorable parts of the game.
Unlike some other games out there, sexuality and gender does play a key role in Growing Up, hence why we’re here to guide you on all the characters you can romance depending on whether you choose to play as a male or female character.
Growing Up Romance Guide – Characters you can romance
Alex
Pronouns: She/Her
First Meet: Elementary School
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Alex is an ultra-competitive, rambunctious girl that players meet during their years in Elementary school. She enjoys arcade games, sports, and bowling, but dislikes school. The way to her heart is through also being competitive yourself but knowing when and where to stop.
Spoiler ahead. You should also be there for her when the time comes, and she’s been missing from high school. If you don’t ask around and try to connect with her again, you’ll miss out on the chance of getting to know Alex, and in forming a romantic relationship with her.
Alicia
Pronouns: She/Her
First Meet: Middle School
Sexuality: Bisexual
If you’re looking for an enemies-to-lover route, you’ll find it in your relationship with Alicia. You first encounter her bullying another student. To get to know her more, you need to intervene and protect the student, and hold your own against Alicia whenever she tries to start a fight or prank you. Eventually, if you give her another chance, you’ll become friends.
Spoiler ahead. During the high school period of your life, you’ll come across Alicia spiking some drinks. You need to tell her it’s wrong, but don’t snitch on her – she’ll get caught anyway. If you choose to snitch, you’ll miss out on not just a romantic relationship with her, but your friendship too.
Kato
Pronouns: He/Him
First Meet: High School
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Kato is a highly intelligent young man who works himself to the bone. You first meet him after being assigned to work on a school project together (ah, that age-old trope), but he blows you off, saying he can work it himself. Don’t let him.
The way to Kato’s heart is fairly simple: don’t make fun of the things he likes (in this case, it’s Dungeons and Dragons), respect his privacy, but know when to tell him that he needs his rest. Eventually, you’ll get the option to kiss him and deepen your romantic relationship with one another.
Richard
Pronouns: He/Him
First Meet: Elementary School
Sexuality: Bisexual
Richard is an incredibly shy, but musically gifted individual. He prefers to keep to himself, which often makes interactions between Richard and yourself awkward and full of apprehension. However, to know Richard better, you must embrace his shy side and be gentle in how you treat him and his passions – especially when it comes to music.
Spoiler ahead. You need to push hard for Richard to join the school play and show off his musical talent. It may seem like a bad thing to do, and Richard will get upset, but this is actually the best thing to do in order to raise Richard’s confidence. That said, when he does get upset, apologize! Or you’ll risk losing Richard forever.
Bobbie
Pronouns: She/Her
First Meet: Elementary School
Sexuality: Bisexual
Bobbie is a bubbly, outgoing and extroverted girl that you first meet during Elementary. She doesn’t care what other people think of her, and is hopelessly in love with all things to do with the theatre, and is eager to pull you into her orbit to help her achieve her dreams. Unfortunately, due to Bobbie being plus-sized, she faces many challenges from others, and they often ridicule her.
To get to know Bobbie as something more than a friend, you should match her enthusiasm and joy. She loves life and wants you to love it too. You should also support her dreams, and stick up for her whenever possible.
Felicity / Flick
Pronouns: She/Her
First Meet: High School
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Felicity, also known as Flick to her friends, is a high school cheerleader. She comes across as mean and demanding at first, but once you get to know her you’ll discover that she’s actually quite caring and is all too willing to put others in front of her own needs.
Spoiler ahead. To have a satisfying romantic relationship (or friendship) with Flick, you must push her to care about her own health and put herself first. Encourage her to get help, but do so without being judgmental. Like Richard, Flick will be angry at you first but the alternative is that you get her bad ending, where she feels nothing but guilt and will spiral out of control.
Nathan
Pronouns: He/Him
First Meet: Middle School
Sexuality: Bisexual
Nathan (or Nate, when you get to know him better) is an aloof and reserved guy who you meet during Middle school. He is often angry and resentful. Because of this, it will take some time for Nate to open up, but when he does, be respectful of him and treat him well.
Spoiler ahead. Nate comes from a broken home. His parents are divorced, and he addresses his sadness by writing songs and talking to animals. To make sure you have a good relationship (that can then become romantic, depending on your choices) you need to respect Nate’s privacy throughout your playthrough. That means no reading his notes, and being there for him even when he pushes you away.
Sam
Pronouns: He/Him
First Meet: High School
Sexuality: Heterosexual
If you looked up ‘jerk’ in the dictionary, Sam’s face would be right there looking up at you. Much like Alicia, Sam starts off as a bit of a bully and an overall a-hole, but you can change him by sticking up for yourself and addressing his behaviour.
Spoiler ahead. To get a romantic ending with Sam, you need to be open to his advances during the party scene, otherwise, you’ll just end up being friends. You should also encourage Sam to be true to what he wants, rather than what his father wants.
Wendy
Pronouns: She/Her
First Meet: Middle School
Sexuality: Bisexual
Wendy is an ambitious girl who adores make-up and movies. You meet her for the first time in Middle school, where you take notice of her having a prosthetic arm. It should go without saying, but in case it wasn’t obvious: don’t be ableist to Wendy if you want to be friends with her, especially if you want to enter a romantic relationship with her.
Spoilers ahead. To get to know Wendy as more than a friend, you must support her love for movies – even if it gets you into trouble with teachers and your parents. However, when the two of you enter high school, you also need to encourage her to join the drama club and stop her at a pivotal moment during the latter stages of the game.
Jake
Pronouns: He/Him
First Meet: Elementary School
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Jake is a sweet and caring guy that you meet in Elementary, however, he quickly bites off more than he can chew and, as he grows up, starts to become quite the delinquent. He forms his own gang, smokes weed and gets into a lot of trouble.
Spoiler ahead. You can form a significant and meaningful relationship with Jake, but as far as our playthroughs have shown us, it’s very difficult for Jake to have a happy ending. Be aware of this when you try and pursue him.
Patty / Vivica
Pronouns: She/Her
First Meet: High School
Sexuality: Lesbian
Patty is an ultra-cool young woman you meet in High school. She enjoys music and poetry to what might seem to be an unhealthy amount and is often getting into trouble. Despite this, she is kind and dreams of meeting her birth parents in the future.
To get to know Patty as more than a friend, you’ll need to respect her privacy (which means don’t go reading her notebook), and act as calm and cool in front of her. It won’t fool her from figuring out you’re a dork, but don’t worry, she’s into that. You should also encourage Patty’s interests and when the option comes up, try to kiss her.
Charles
Pronouns: He/Him
First Meet: Middle School
Sexuality: Gay
Charles is the only gay romance option for male players in Growing Up. He takes his role as the future of the school seriously, and on the surface, it looks as though he truly wants to be a politician when he grows up. Is it truly what he wants? Well… That would be spoilers.
Spoiler ahead. To win Charles heart, you must be understanding of the fact his father is a raging homophobe and act accordingly. If you support him and his campaign to be student president, you’ll eventually get to know Charles as more of a friend.
About The Author
