One of the most important parts of any great game is the lead character. The lead has to be interesting enough for gamers to enjoy them, but not so different that they can't be related to. Players want someone that they can see parts of themselves in -- someone who has seen hardship, someone who is realistic, someone who has good and bad days. Not a perfect person that never does anything wrong and is always praised for everything they do.
More and more games that come out now have female characters as their relatable leads, and some of those women are amazing. These characters show that they can be just as strong (if not stronger than) male characters, and they can kick your butt.
Here are the top 5 female characters in gaming. There are so many great women we could put on here, but not all of them can make it. Is your favorite leading lady on the list? Read on and find out.
5. Cortana
Halo 1/2/3/4/5?
Cortana -- she has changed so much over all the Halo games. Master Chief would not be where he is without her. She helps Chief figure out everything that he needs to do. She is his brains and the force that drives him, and she helps him make the right choices.
Cortana pushes Chief to be the best that he can be, and when he doubts himself she tells him that he is doing the right thing . When she “dies” in Halo 4, it tears Chief apart because she was such a big part of him and his life; even if she is just AI.
4. Anya Stroud
Gears of War 1/2/3
Anya Stroud is such an important character in Gears of War, but she doesn’t get the credit she deserves. Anya is the eyes and ears of Delta Squad in the first two games. She tells you where to go, what to do, and how to do it. She then joins the squad in Gears of War 3 and she helps take down the locust. Anya becomes very important to Marcus after the death of Dom ¾ of the way through the game.
She helps Marcus carry on after the death of his best friend and she helps him and the rest of Delta Squad fight through to the end. She shows Marcus how to turn his sadness at the loss of a friend into a reason to fight even harder against the locust.
3. Elizabeth
BioShock Infinite
Elizabeth is one of the best AI characters in gaming. Every time Booker is low on ammo, meds, or dies in battle, she is there to help. She has the ability to open rifts to different time lines, which really comes in handy. She also is a strong character and can at times be Booker's rock throughout the game. They have an instant connection because they are father and daughter, even if they don’t know it.
Elizabeth is also very smart and she knows a lot about the world. She possesses many skills Booker does not. And she knows so much because she's spent most of her life locked in a library. She makes an escort mission, often hated by gamers, a fun and great gameplay experience.
It is because of the great AI programming, her knowledge of the world, and the important skills she possesses that she is one of the best females in gaming.
2. Lara Croft
Tomb Raider
Lara is on this list not only because she is such a strong character, but also because of how important she is to gaming. Lara and the Tomb Raider series have had a huge impact on the gaming industry. Lara is such a strong character -- and she will not let anything get in between her and her treasure, including dinosaurs.
In the newest Tomb Raider, Laura is speared by rebar within the first ten minutes of the game, and yet she still fights on. She later uses an arrow to cauterize the wound, something a lot of people would have trouble doing. She is one of the biggest characters known in all of gaming and her games are loved by many.
She does not let anything stop her, and it’s her will and determination that make her such a strong character in gaming.
Honorable Mentions
- Chell - Portal 1/2
- Rochell - Left 4 Dead 2
- Clover - Payday 2
- Little Sisters - BioShock 1/2
1. Clementine
The Walking Dead Season One and Two
Clementine is the best female character in gaming by a long shot. She has such a hard life. yet she stays so strong and never gives up hope. She has seen her friends, parents, Lee, and many others die right in front of her. But Clementine stays strong through everything she has seen and she always stays positive.
The girl has a way about her that just makes gamers care about her instantly. She conveys so much emotion through her dialog and her actions that she can even bring you to tears (especially at the end of the first game). Clementine is only a little girl but through the events of the game she has to grow up quick.
Depending on what the player chooses to do throughout the game her personality will change. She can be both very nice and trusting, or she can be unfriendly, not trust anyone, and send people away. It’s her ability to make people care so much about her that makes her the best character in gaming.
There you have it! My top 5 female characters in gaming. There are so many great female characters and not all of them could make if on this list. I'm sure in the coming years of gaming we will be graced with many more great female characters.
What are your top 5 female characters in gaming? Let me know in the comments!
Published: Oct 23, 2015 10:33 pm