Most people do not realize it but 46% of gamers are female, according to the Entertainment Software Association. More girls than ever play games but only 4% have protagonist female heroes. So why do heroines drive so few lead role in games when we know that the video game industry generated $68 billion in 2012, making it fastest-growing component of the international media sector? It’s a downright mistake to categorize games genres as gender specific. Amazing studios like Bioware have proven that any genre can appeal to any person be they male, female, gay or straight and this can all be done in the same title.

The following list is an homage to the most iconic heroines in video games; whether they conform to a sexy stereotype or a forward thinking feminist they all are remarkable and gaming would not be as great as it is without them.

 

1. Samus Aran  - from the Metroid franchise

Breaking through as a female in a male-dominated clique, Samus is one bounty hunter who breaks conventions and establishes herself as a leading heroine devoid of cliché. In the original metroid for NES Samus only reveals herself as a woman (by removing her helmet) at the end of the game. This was a shocker and after so many fantastic hours going through the game she would become near and dear to us, the quintessential Nintendo sci-fi character standing toe to toe with the fantasy of Zelda.

Samus is the most powerful bounty hunter of the Galactic Federation tracking down pirates. She also earned several Guinness World Records, including “Most Successful Video Game Heroine” and “Most Recognizable Female Character in a Video Game.” Now that’s an impressive resume.

 

2. Lara Croft – from the Tom Raider Franchise

As a master archeologist, Lara is an athletic woman who adventures in search of treasures and other objects in ancient tombs and temples around the world. She became one of the pop culture icons in the ‘90s, embodying girl power and becoming a strong character in her own right. With the upcoming reboot, it looks like Lara will captivate the public once again. She was very much a sex symbol when she debuted and her large breasts were no accident. While men drool over Lara I think it would be a shame to assume she is just a brainless body to be objectified.

Lara is sexy but this element of her character has always been done tastefully and she might even be the shining example of a sex positive feminist in a video game. Lara’s list of skills have helped create the modern image of the treasure hunter, building on classics like H Rider Haggard and leading into today’s Nathan Drake of Uncharted fame.

 

3. Aya Brea (The 3rd Birthday) – from the Paradise Eve Franchise

Aya is our favorite horror game protagonist (sorry Jill Valentine!) because she is never played as the fool. Where doubt and the unknown are a necessity in the horror genre Aya never seems helpless, even when she is running for her life. It’s a shame that parasite Eve did not catch on and few games have been made. We would love to step in Aya’s shoes one more time.

 

4. Alyx Vance  - from the Half-Life 2 Franchise

A non-playable character in Half-Life 2, Alyx is a technical whiz that is adept at hacking computers, repairing vehicles and machinery and bypassing locked doors/security systems. In Half- Life 2 she did all of this for you. She was in ways a tutorial, a plot element and a beautiful woman that brightened the dark world of the game. Above all of this Alyx was a great friend. She’s like that best friend you had growing up, always making you smile and lifting your spirits and whether your a girl or a guy its kinda hard not to have the littlest crush on her.

 

5. Commander Shepherd  – from the Mass Effect Franchise

Because saving the galaxy is a tough job. Mass Effect proved that superior writing and intellectual creativity can feature a female and male version of the same hero. Whether Sheppard is a man or woman we feel their heroism as a person. On top of that the dialog options in Mass Effect allow you to embrace whatever sexuality and perhaps gender associated persona that you please, or not. It’s up to you. That’s the beauty of Mass Effect. Voiced by veteran voice actress Jennifer Hale, Jane Shepard is just as capable as her male counterpart.BioWare should be praised for achieving the level of balance and intuition that they did with their characters.

 

6. The Boss (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) – from the Metal Gear Franchise

The Boss is known as the a “the mother” of the US special forces, credited with founding and leading the first special forces team, the veteran Cobra unit. The Boss is a fascinating character with a strong sense of honor.  She is sometimes compared to Commander Shepherd for her character depth and importance in the game. The Boss fills so many roles within this franchise it’s hard to nail down the most impressive element of this character. But in so many ways she is the progenitor of the Metal Gear hero. Hopefully we will see more of her in upcoming Metal Gear games.

 

7. Sarah Kerrigan (StarCraft)

We know we care about characters when we begin to fear for them. For all the misfortune and ill fate within Starcraft it’s Kerrigan’s journey that comes closest and most affects us. A hero in nature and a weapon in execution Kerrigan grows as a character and slowly begins to represent something we can only attribute to mythological gods. Kerrigan so represents the power and danger that everyday people represent in heroes unchecked and unchallenged by the people that so revere them.

 

8. MORRIGAN (DRAGON AGE ORIGINS)

Morrigan is my favorite video game character. So literary and deep is her character that her writing and development challenge even the very best novels I’ve read. In games we are often encouraged to choose good or evil. I like to be the good guy, doing evil in games actually makes me feel guilty. But Morrigan’s influence was so strong, she gladly had me choosing the dark side and loving it. Let’s all hope Bioware brings her back in Dragon Age 3.

 

Honorable Mention:

Alice (Alice Madness Returns)

Princess Zelda (The Legend of Zelda)

Jill Valentine (Resident Evil)

Sonya Blade

Kitana (Mortal Combat)

 

Other Female Characters With Merit:

Princess Peach (Super Smash Brothers Brawl),

Jade (Beyond Good & Evil)

Faith Connors (Mirrors Edge)

Zoey (Left for Dead)

Claire Redfield (Resident Evil)

Sheva Alomar (Resident Evil 5)

Lilith (Borderlands)

Chun-Li (Streetfighter)

Tifa Lockheart (Final Fantasy VII)

Joanna Dark (Perfect Dark)

Jennifer Tate (Primal)

Catwoman (Batman: Arkham City)

 

-Christophe Chanel & Max Romano