The world of video games boasts plenty of iconic female characters who have left a lasting impression on gamers worldwide with their strength, complexity, and compelling narratives. Discover some of the best female video game characters who have shaped the gaming world.
While there are more male characters in video games than female characters, the ladies have significantly impacted the gaming world. These strong and independent women have entertained and inspired gamers of all ages and genders. Here are ten of the most iconic female characters in video games.
Best Female Video Game Characters
Female video game characters have taken center stage as the main playable characters in many games. They are memorable, iconic figures not to be underestimated. Below is a list of the best female video game characters that are inspired by both fictional characters and real people. Note that the list is not based on any particular order.
In coming up with this list, many factors have been considered, such as data analysis from game sales, reviews, commercial success, and social media mentions. Other factors, including gameplay contribution and their lasting influence within gaming culture, have also played pivotal roles in determining their placement on the list.
1. Lara Croft
Lara Croft is one of the most influential and popular female video game characters ever. She is the lead character of the video game franchise Tomb Raider. She is portrayed as an intelligent and athletic English archaeologist who ventures into ancient tombs worldwide.
2. Chun-Li
Chun-Li is a fictional character in Capcom's Street Fighter video game series. She first appeared in Street Fighter II: The World Warrior in 1991. She is one of the first playable female characters in fighting games and has become an iconic figure in gaming history. She is a skilled martial artist and Interpol officer.
3. Samus Aran
Samus Aran is the protagonist of Metroid by Nintendo. She was created by the Japanese video game designer Makoto Kano. She is an ex-soldier of the Galactic Federation who became a galactic bounty hunter. She is known for her swiftness, impeccable fighting skills, and exploration prowess worldwide and in space environments.
4. Tifa Lockhart
Tifa Lockhart is a major recurring character in the Final Fantasy VII series. She has also starred as a playable fighter in Ehrgeiz and the Dissidia Final Fantasy series. Since 2005, she has appeared in sequels and spin-offs of the Final Fantasy VII series, including Advent Children and the Final Fantasy VII remake.
5. Jill Valentine
Jill Valentine is one of the main protagonists of the Resident Evil franchise. She is an American Special Operations Agent of the BSAA. Jill is the protagonist of numerous Resident Evil games, novelizations, and films and has also been featured in-game series such as Project X Zone, Teppen, and Dead by Daylight.
6. Princess Zelda
Princess Zelda is an iconic titular character in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series. She was created by Shigeru Miyamoto for the original 1986 game The Legend of Zelda. She has been featured in every subsequent game in various series of incarnations.
7. Cortana
Cortana is a fictional character from the Halo Universe. She is an Artificial Intelligence, often seen alongside Master Chief. She has also been featured in Halo: Combat Evolved and its sequels, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo Infinite.
8. Bayonetta
Bayonetta is the titular character and main protagonist of the Bayonetta series developed by PlatinumGames. She is a coquettish and mysterious Umbra Witch. She possesses a remarkable talent for Bullet Arts and possesses the Left Eye of Darkness.
9. Aloy
Aloy is a fictional character and protagonist of the 2017 video game Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West. She is a brave Nora who spent the first 18 years of her life as a 'motherless outcast' raised by her guardian, Rost. She is a minor character in the 2023 spin-off virtual reality game Horizon Call of the Mountain.
10. Kitana
Kitana is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat series by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. She made her debut in MKII. She was originally a royal from the fictional realm of Edenia. Her main weapon is a pair of steel fans, which she uses for most of her special attacks.
11. Alyx Vance
Alyx Vance is a fictional character featured in Valve's Half-Life video game series. Initially introduced as a non-playable supporting character in Half-Life 2 (2004), she accompanies Gordon Freeman, the player's character, for a significant portion of the game.
12. Rayne
Rayne, also known as Agent BloodRayne or the Dhampir, is a fictional character in the BloodRayne series. She is one of the main characters in the series, starring in both games and later extended media, such as comic books and films related to the series. She was created by Terminal Reality.
13. Ivy Valentine
Isabella Valentine, popularly known as Ivy, is a character in the Soulcalibur series. She first appeared in the original Soulcalibur and its subsequent sequels. She was created by Namco's Project Soul division and is known for her distinctive sword, a whip-like weapon called Valentine, and her acrobatic fighting style.
14. Sarah Kerrigan
Sarah Louise Kerrigan, the self-styled Queen of Blades, is a character in Blizzard Entertainment's StarCraft franchise. She is one of the main characters in the series and has since received acclaim from video game critics for her depth and believability. She often appears in lists of the top video game women, villains, and characters.
15. Ada Wong
Ada Wong is a character in the survival horror series Resident Evil by Capcom. She appeared as a supporting character in Resident Evil 2 (1998) and became a playable character in Resident Evil 4 (2005). She is a mysterious, ambiguous spy who works for villains but often aids the series' lead character, Leon S. Kennedy, in dire situations.
The world of video games has given birth to iconic characters of both genders. Above are some of the best female video game characters with a cult following among fans. Some of them are the lead characters, whereas others shine in side roles.
Legit.ng recently published a list of funny cartoon characters that will definitely lift your spirits. Cartoon characters have always held a special place in many people's hearts, providing endless entertainment and laughter.
Funny cartoon characters have an extraordinary ability to transcend age barriers and tickle your funny bones. Discover some of the funny cartoon characters that will definitely lift your spirits.
Source: Legit.ng