Empowering Female Protagonists in Video Games

As we progress with the years that go by, the video game world is seeing more gender inclusion in its games to address its multicultural audience. While only 20% of games have a female lead, more than 50% include multiple gender options. We are advancing away from male domination and making good progress. For a change of pace and a good game recommendation, I have come up with a few games with female main characters. For female gamers looking for more representation or gamers who like strong female leads, here is a look at video games with female protagonists available.

Bayonetta is an action-adventure gaming franchise starring a playable witch wielding dual pistols and a large arsenal of weapons at her disposal while she goes hunting for angels. There are 3 installments released as a Bayonetta trilogy, the first beginning in 2009 and the last, Bayonetta 3, coming out in October 2022. At The Game Awards in 2022, a Bayonetta Origins game was revealed, now available for Nintendo Switch. In Bayonetta 3, Bayonetta fights enemies that are neither angels nor demons that are threatening the human race. This hack-and-slash game also features a few characters that call for her help with other quests, such as another mysterious witch who can also wield Inferno Demons as Bayonetta can. The Bayonetta Origins looks at the witch as a young girl, when she went by her real name, Cereza. As an outcast created from a bond between the Lumen Sages and the Umbra Witches, Cereza journeys to become strong enough to help her imprisoned mother with help from her demon companion, Cheshire. Solve puzzles and defeat enemies with an array of weapons and abilities in this action-packed game.

Horizon: Zero Dawn is the first installment of the Horizon series and focuses on the main character Aloy’s origins and the start of her heroic journey. An outcast raised by an outcast, Aloy is summoned by fate to help the human Nora tribe of Horizon as a great enemy befalls the same group that ostracized her. She is raised as a skilled huntress by Rost, and as the MC we are able to hunt mechanical creatures, take down enemy camps, and unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding her origins and the cultists who threaten the Nora. This game and franchise is great if you enjoy exploring new lands, combat fighting, and post-apocalyptic themes. It is quickly realized that Aloy’s hunting and fighting skills are top notch, and as you play, you further understand why Aloy is a powerful, worthy heroine.

Spiritfarer is an indie management simulation game where you play as Stella, whose job it is to usher dying souls through to the afterlife. Along with pet cat Daffodil who follows Stella every step of the way, you meet tons of interesting animals with compelling pasts who have a few last wishes before it is their time to move on from this world. Stella has the hard but important job of helping these animals complete their wishes and help them get comfortable on her boat before they cross over to the afterlife. Spiritfarer gives a lot of important lessons about death, moving on, and letting go. It takes a touchy subject like one’s final moments of life and turns it into an endearing, sweet game with tons of fun mini games like fishing, lightning collecting, and purging injury from a dragon’s body. Every character teaches you what makes them unique and wisdom from living a full, eventful life. Upgrade your ship to house more characters and tend to operations like gardening and raising wool as you go along your journey as the Spiritfarer.

The Metroid series is an exciting action-adventure game set in space, where Samus Aran is a bounty hunter protecting the galaxy from Space Pirates and other enemies set on harnessing the power of the alien Metroid parasitic organism to suck the life out of its host. Equipped with a suit covering head to toe with protective metal, plus a cannon for an arm, Samus sets out into the universe vanquishing terrifying monsters. You usually begin a Metroid game lacking powers, and with every power up to the Samus Suit, you gain another location you can now explore. Metroid Dread was the latest release of the series back in 2021 and features a very tough enemy called an E.M.M.I. that allows you one chance to counter an attack before it kills you, Metroid Prime recently got remastered and released through the Nintendo Switch Online, so you can now play one of the most popular installments in the franchise again or for the first time. These two newly released options are a great start if you are new to the Metroid world.

These games offer a fun variety of gaming types and fascinating storytelling. It is important for gamers to see themselves being represented in video games because it further connects them to the story as they can relate to the main character and makes the game stand out in their mind. Popularizing women in leadership positions in any male-dominated industry allows for new ideas to emerge, more creativity, and more perspectives to be seen. Sometimes a female wants to play a video game as herself, and it is fundamental to allow opportunities to customize characters and present options that can make the player feel represented and engaged. Fortunately, every year games are making it easier to feel a connection to the main character and therefore making a greater gaming experience.