As long as video games have existed, women have fought to make themselves known within the medium. Now, with all the advancements in video games of the modern era, they are coming to prominence thanks to pioneers like Lara Croft. Women are also empowering themselves in already established franchises such as: not mapped and Assassin’s Creed.
Some female protagonists leave a lasting impression on their audience, whether it’s for nostalgia, characterization, or just overall uniqueness. Their legacies may be long and ornate, or they may be just beginning. Be that as it may, there are a ton of female protagonists who have already achieved iconic status.
10 Jade’s story should be experienced by everyone (beyond good and evil)
An underrated protagonist from an underrated video game, Jade still stands up to the better-known gaming wives for her determination, kind heart and selflessness. With a unique weapon in the form of a bo staff and a humanoid pig as an adoptive uncle, Jade is definitely special.
Jade’s journey within Beyond good and evil is one that every avid gamer should try and take the opportunity to experience. As legal guardian to multiple orphans, Jade’s adventure takes her from a humble big sister to a hero who understands she has a destiny far greater than herself.
9 2B has moved into multiple franchises (NieR: Automata)
The Android at the helm of one of Yoko Taro’s most well-known games, 2B’s iconic status has seen her transition to multiple other franchises such as Gravity Rush, Soul Calibureven Final Fantasy. Not only has her story been praised for its social commentary, but her entire image is instantly recognizable, even to those who haven’t played. NieR: Vending Machines.
A contradictory and intriguing character, 2B spends most of NieR: Vending Machines hiding secrets from those she loves most, coping with the loss of the only home she’s ever known, and questioning her purpose and identity. It’s a heartbreaking story that helps cement its place in the history books.
8 Heather Mason Becomes Her Own Hero (Silent Hill 3)
Heather Mason is the adoptive daughter of franchise legend Harry Mason and is one of the most recognizable women in Silent Hill. Heather only becomes more iconic as she tells her own story in Silent Hill 3in which she seeks answers after her father’s murder.
Heather isn’t just carrying herself into her own franchise. She appears in the popular multiplayer survival horror game Dead in daylight, featuring the most iconic characters from other horror franchises in cameos. She appears alongside Pyramid Head under her original name, Cheryl Mason.
7 Clementine’s entire story takes place on screen (Telltale’s The Walking Dead)
Clementine begins her journey in Telltale’s The Walking Dead as a young girl separated from her parents in the zombie apocalypse. Clementine grows not only into a fighter, but also into a mother, friend and leader. She is easily the pinnacle of the series and a star in her own right.
After appearing in four of the infamous story-driven zombie games, Clementine captured the hearts of players everywhere with her emotional relationship with the first game’s protagonist, Lee Everett. Her intelligent decision making and clever survival skills made her a quick fan favorite.
6 Commander Jane Shepard is the Hero of the Galaxy (Mass Effect)
Players can choose a male or female Shepard at the start of their Mass effect journey, and both are equally iconic. However, many long-term players strongly recommend playing Jane Shepard just to hear Jennifer Hale’s incredible voice acting.
Being at the helm of one of the most successful video game franchises is a heavy burden to carry, but Commander Shepard is more than used to heavy loads. Like any great video game protagonist, Jane Shepard is easily recognizable, even by people who have never touched one. Mass effect game.
5 Ellie takes players on her journey (The Last Of Us 2)
Appears in every entry of The last of us franchise, Ellie has become more of a mainstay than even original protagonist Joel. Fans of the series have been taken on a long and arduous journey with her as she grows from a naive child to a tired adult.
With a TV show in the works and the video games showing that Ellie must now officially fend for herself, her legacy seems to be just beginning. Ellie is a well known character that Sony is not afraid to put at the forefront of all their promotions. Ellie won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
4 Aloy is the new kid on the block (Horizon)
While the Horizon While the franchise is still in its infancy compared to many other well-known series, Aloy has already jumped to the forefront of most people’s minds as an iconic female protagonist. After embarking on her isolated journey of discovery at the age of eighteen, she became one of PlayStation’s flagship stars with the release of Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017.
Despite only being around for a few years, Aloy has made an appearance in Genshin impact, Monster Hunter, Death Stranding, Fortniteeven Autumn boys. Her list of cameos is already impressive, and with the release of Horizon Forbidden Westshe seems to create a real legacy.
3 Claire Redfield stands among the greats (Resident Evil 2)
In a series that created legends such as Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield, it’s no surprise that the equally iconic Claire Redfield would gain fame in the sequel. In Resident Evil 2, Claire searches for her brother, with whom fans already had an emotional connection. It was easy for players to deal with her and her journey, especially considering that she was more normal than the other protagonists in the series.
Claire has also appeared in multiple other franchises such as: Monster Hunter, PUBGand onimusha to name a few. She and her brother are arguably one of the most recognizable siblings in video games, and she’s worked hard to find a path for herself separate from his own.
2 Bayonetta changed perceptions of strong women, Bayonetta
The main character of the bayonetta series, Bayonetta went against the typical conventions of female protagonists at the time, earning her a cult following. Her overly feminine image helped break the notion that women had to be tough or masculine to be taken seriously in video games. These inspiring images helped her find her way into several other franchises, the most popular of which is Super Smash Bros.
Bayonetta would never be born, as she was the child of a forbidden union between Umbral Witch Rosa and Lumen Sage Balder. Her birth sparked a war between the two formerly peaceful clans. She devotes her time to the series to find her place and piece together the pieces of her family tree, a noble goal most can relate to.
1 Lara Croft is the original blueprint, Tomb Raider
Lara Croft, one of the first female protagonists in gaming and still one of the few with such a long-lasting legacy, burst onto screens Tomb Raider in 1996 and has grown her fan base ever since. With multiple entries in her series, a variety of spin-offs, and multiple film adaptations, Lara Croft is more than an icon. She is a cultural phenomenon.
Lara, an English archaeologist and treasure hunter, told an entire generation of young girls that they could do whatever they wanted and be the heroes of their own stories. She has dominated the screen with every appearance, and while the gaps between her video game entries are widening, her influence shows no signs of slowing down.
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