The Most Inspiring Female Protagonists in Video Games

Power Through Diversity

We've seen a vast expansion of female representation in stories since the days of NES and the Commodore 64. Superheroes, explorers, and mages alike made our list of 15 inspiring female video game protagonists. Let's briefly check out these badass women and their stories, available across various gaming platforms!

15. Ms. Marvel - Marvel's Avengers

Ms. Marvel (Marvel's Avengers) | Credit: avengers.square-enix-games.com

We all know superheroes are great. See the all-new face of Ms. Marvel in the upcoming Marvel's Avengers in September 2020. Kamala Khan has a whole new set of powers like limb stretching and shape-shifting as she fights alongside other strong women like Black Widow and Maria Hill.

14. Alyx Vance - Half-Life: Alyx

Alyx Vance (Half-Life Series) | Twitter: @valvesoftware

Before she met Gordon before she was the face of the Resistance movement in Half-Life 2, Alyx Vance was a young woman dedicated to her father's work. Experience the events before Half-Life and Half-Life 2, learning about Alyx through her own eyes. Alyx Vance, a truly badass female single-handedly helps organize against a corrupt and evil government in the cult classic Half-Life series.

13. Clementine - The Walking Dead

Clementine (The Walking Dead by Telltale Games) | Twitter: @telltalegames

Clementine is just a little girl when the zombie apocalypse starts. She starts as a brilliant and handy child but grows into a true force. Follow her tale from start to finish with the complete Walking Dead series from Telltale Games.

12. Lara Croft - Shadow of the Tomb Raider

* Lara Croft (Shadow of the Tomb Raider) | Credit: tombraider.square-enix-games.com*

Lara Croft is the epitome of an explorer. She's tough, driven, and one of the smartest in her field. Shadow of the Tomb Raider features Lara Croft up against odds like never before. See where it all began in this origin title featuring one of the original badass women in video games!

11. Elena Fisher - Uncharted

Elena Fisher (Uncharted Series) | Credit: unchartedthegame.com

Elena Fisher is the dogmatic love interest of Nathan Drake. Her combat prowess and abrasive personality make her one of the most beloved prickly female protagonists in video game history. Elena Fisher gives Drake a run for his money with her striking appearance, biting wit, and natural combat skills.

10. Yuna - Final Fantasy X | X-2

Yuna (Final Fantasy X | X-2) | Credit: square-enix-games.com

Yuna is the headstrong and fierce protagonist in several Final Fantasy games. She's dedicated to her purpose in FF: X, letting no one dissuade her from what doing what she must. Even though it costs her life, Yuna is determined to stay the course. Her great friendship and steadfast, positive attitude in the face of adversity make Yuna a hellaciously inspiring protagonist.

9. Emily Kaldwin - Dishonored 2

Emily Kaldwin (Dishonored 2) | Credit: bethesda.net

Dishonored features Corvo fighting to rescue 10-year-old kidnapped Emily after her mother, the Empress, gets murdered. However, Dishonored 2, has Emily Kaldwin all grown up and ruling in her mother's place. The witch Delilah Copperspoon unseats her and kidnaps Corvo. It's up to Emily alone to rescue her father and kingdom, using mysterious powers and her impressive sword and marksman skills.

8. Aloy - Horizon: Zero Dawn

Aloy (Horizon: Zero Dawn) | Credit: guerrilla-games.com

Aloy starts as a curious young woman desperate to learn about her past. She lives in a strange world full of mechanical beasts and warring tribes of humans. Suddenly, humans begin using corrupted beasts to attack one another. Only the fiery-haired trailblazer Aloy can solve the mysteries behind these deadly developments. Explore this brutal, strange wilderness as a powerful and curious female protagonist in Horizon: Zero Dawn. Her story continues in the 2021 release of Horizon Forbidden West - stay tuned.

7. Yennefer of Vengerberg - The Witcher III: Wild Hunt

Yennefer of Vengerberg (The Witcher III: Wild Hunt) | Credit: thewitcher.com

Yennefer is power incarnate, but she's also characterized as being cold and hidden in all Witcher lore. She began as a lowly stable hand with a humpback and evolved into one of the most powerful sorceresses. In The Witcher III, Yennefer is also a fierce mother figure to Ciri. She and Geralt use every technique at their mighty disposals to protect the little girl they discover.

6. Evie Frye - Assassin's Creed Syndicate

Evie Frye (Assassin's Creed Syndicate) | Credit: ubisoft.com

Dame Evie Frye is the eldest of the Frye twins, a Master Assassin, and founder of the Rooks in Assassin's Creed Syndicate. She sees the plight of the poor and oppressed and makes it her mission to create a better world. Evie uses the Assassins tools at her disposal and fights for what she believes to be right. Few things are more inspiring than that.

5. Ela - Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

Ela (Rainbow Seige Six) | Credit: youtube.com

A strong woman with a fierce independent streak, Ela is featured front and center as a Defending Operator in Rainbow Six Siege. Her need to work alone squashed early success in the military and private sectors. GROM, though, was impressed by her dedication to sit the exam as a civilian. Eventually, they seek her out and make her an integral part of the Rainbow Six team.

4. Sadie Adler - Red Dead Redemption 2

Sadie Adler (Red Dead Redemption 2) | Credit: youtube.com

The die-hard loyal Sadie Adler is the epitome of a strong woman in the historical Wild West. She's hellbent on revenge against the O'Driscolls after they raided her house and murdered her husband. See the lengths Sadie, the fiery prairie star, will go alongside Arthur Morgan.

3. Jill Valentine - Resident Evil Franchise

Jill Valentine (Resident Evil Franchise) | Credit: residentevil.com

Another original badass in the video game world, Jill Valentine fights Umbrella Corp. through countless titles. A strong fighter and shooter, Jill has roles as a police officer, investigator, and partner.

Sometimes, you'll play as Jill. Other times, she's a helping hand in uncovering the evil travesties that Umbrella Corp. releases upon the world in the form of T-Virus and countless other bioterrorist weapons. All the time, Jill Valentine is truly inspirational. Jill's story will continue in the latest installment of the franchise, Resident Evil Village which will be released in 2021.

2. Ellie - The Last of Us Series

Ellie (The Last of Us Series) | Credit: thelastofus.playstation.com

Ellie is the female half of the duo featured in The Last of Us. In the first game, she's a mere girl faced with insurmountable odds: surviving a strange and unknown outbreak that mutates humans into freakish monsters.

Last of Us 2, however, is the brutal story of Ellie's revenge over the murder of her father figure. See the lengths she will go to for vengeance in the post-apocalyptic. Follow Ellie on her journey in this violent action game, discovering struggles she thought long buried.

1. Senua - Hellblade Saga

Senua (Hellblade Saga) | Credit: hellblade.com

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is unique because it does not offer any heads up display. Senua, a Nordic woman on an otherwordly quest, is completely guided by a cast of different entities. Some, like the mysterious Druth, are friendly, while others, like Furies, work hard to break Senua.

It's a gratifying experience and held up as a great example of mental illness. The developers consulted dozens of professionals during the creation of Senua's character. She faces expertly shaped challenges, presenting opportunities for her to be a true inspiration.

The Senua's story will continue with the release of the next-gen console, Xbox Series X. Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is one of the first confirmed Xbox Series X games and should be released Holiday 2020.

Representing Women Worldwide

Nothing is more potent than seeing yourself represented in the media that you consume. Stories are a core part of why we love video games. But accounts in the real world aren't limited to only the male perspective, so why should video games be? These powerful female protagonists give us a great reminder that anyone can be strong and resilient!