This is nonsense, romances can be rewarding. An epic journey isnt so epic if you dont get the most beautiful girl in the world by the end. Its just a component of a cool, epic story, of growing up. Whats creepy is when it becomes a goal in itself, when it becomes a feature of the game instead of just another story element. When it doesnt tie into the story and influences it, when its there for its own sake. But mostly when its gamey shit. Friendship, partnership, love, rivalry, all this is worth exploring, but simplifying them to a score is kind of perverse.
I think back to the future, star wars, and other great adventures of the 80s and 90s would have been less without the element of romance, and i do believe it can have the same effect on books and games.