Games Where Female Leads Outshone the Male Protagonists Completely

Video games have come a long way. Originally, stories mostly focused on male characters, but now we’re seeing more games with strong, complex female leads. These characters often create a more emotional and engaging experience, sometimes even better than games with male heroes. This list highlights games where the female character is the main focus, often becoming more iconic than previous male characters or even overshadowing them.

‘Star Wars Outlaws’ (2024)

This new game, created by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft, stars Kay Vess, a resourceful scoundrel trying to survive in the criminal world of the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy. Instead of using the Force like many other heroes, Kay relies on her intelligence, sneaking skills, and gadgets. Set during the Empire’s reign, the story follows her journey as she tries to earn her freedom while dealing with dangerous criminal groups, ultimately transforming from a petty thief into a famous outlaw in an exciting heist adventure.

‘Final Fantasy XIII’ (2009)

This role-playing game, created by Square Enix, centers on Lightning, a former soldier who challenges the gods to rescue her sister. Lightning is a strong and strategic character, and the story follows her journey as she works to save those she cares about. Though she’s joined by a team of allies, her experiences as a ‘l’Cie’ drive the emotional heart of the game’s story. The creators designed Lightning to be a powerful and independent female protagonist, breaking away from typical character designs seen in previous games.

‘Mirror’s Edge’ (2008)

Mirror’s Edge, created by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, is a fast-paced action game played from a first-person perspective. Players take on the role of Faith Connors, a ‘Runner’ who delivers important messages in a controlling, futuristic city. Instead of relying on guns and fighting, Faith uses incredible speed and parkour skills to navigate the urban environment and escape authorities. This focus on movement and Faith’s unique style have made the game a beloved favorite among players.

‘Control’ (2019)

Control is a supernatural action game created by Remedy Entertainment and published by 505 Games. Players take on the role of Jesse Faden, who arrives at the mysterious Oldest House searching for her brother. She unexpectedly becomes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Control and must use a powerful, shape-shifting weapon and her telekinetic powers to fight a dangerous, otherworldly corruption called the Hiss. Jesse is a compelling character, and her inner thoughts and ability to quickly adapt to the strange world around her make her particularly memorable.

‘Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice’ (2017)

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a psychological horror game created by Ninja Theory. It follows Senua, a Pict warrior, on a harrowing journey through a vision of Viking Hell. The game powerfully portrays Senua’s battle with psychosis as she tries to save the soul of her lost love. Players experience the world through her hallucinations, making for a uniquely immersive and personal story. Senua’s strength in overcoming both real and imagined challenges has set a new standard for representing mental health in video games.

‘Dishonored 2’ (2016)

Created by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, this game lets you play as either Corvo Attano or Emily Kaldwin. While Corvo was the main character in the first game, Emily’s story – as an empress fighting to take back her throne – is the more central and emotionally impactful one. She has special abilities, called Void powers, like Far Reach and Shadow Walk, which are different from Corvo’s and fit her role as royalty. The game follows Emily’s journey as she develops from a protected leader into a skilled warrior.

‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ (2018)

This latest ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game, created by Ubisoft Quebec, lets you play as either Alexios or Kassandra. However, Kassandra is generally seen as the main character and is officially recognized as such within the game’s story. Players take on the role of a mercenary in Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War, discovering the secrets of their family history. Kassandra’s voice acting and personality have been highly praised for adding both humor and depth to the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series.

‘Alien: Isolation’ (2014)

Creative Assembly and SEGA created this scary survival game featuring Amanda Ripley, the daughter of the famous Ellen Ripley. Amanda goes to the Sevastopol Station to investigate what happened to her mother fifteen years earlier. To survive, she has to use her engineering knowledge and be stealthy while being hunted by a single, relentless Xenomorph throughout the station. The game brilliantly connects the Alien movies with the world of video games by telling a deeply personal and frightening story through Amanda’s experiences.

‘A Plague Tale: Innocence’ (2019)

Developed by Asobo Studio and published by Focus Home Interactive, this game is a historical adventure where you play as Amicia de Rune. She’s on a desperate journey to keep her little brother, Hugo, safe from the dangers of the French Inquisition and a terrifying swarm of rats. As Amicia fights to survive, she transforms from a privileged young girl into a strong and resourceful protector, using a sling and special concoctions to face seemingly impossible challenges. The game explores her growth as she takes on the responsibility of leading and protecting her family, and the difficult choices she must make along the way.

‘Bayonetta 2’ (2014)

Bayonetta is a fast-paced action game created by PlatinumGames and published by Nintendo. Players control Bayonetta, a powerful witch who fights against both angels and demons using incredible moves and even her own hair! She’s known for being confident and bold, often outshining the other characters around her. The game is praised for how smoothly it plays and for giving its main character a strong, independent personality.

‘Silent Hill 3’ (2003)

Created by Team Silent and published by Konami, this psychological horror game features Heather Mason, a strong and independent protagonist. She’s the first female lead in the series and faces a terrifying challenge: a cult trying to use her to summon an evil god. Unlike previous heroes, Heather isn’t just reacting to the horrors around her – she’s sarcastic, defiant, and actively fights back. Her story is deeply connected to the original game, bringing the first story arc to a satisfying close.

‘Life is Strange’ (2015)

Life is Strange is an episodic adventure game created by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Square Enix. Players take on the role of Max Caulfield, a photography student who unexpectedly gains the ability to rewind time. She uses this power to deal with the challenges of high school and investigate a missing person case in her town. The story heavily focuses on Max’s close friendship with Chloe Price, and their relationship is central to the game’s emotional core. It’s a realistic and moving story about the impact of decisions and the difficulties of adolescence.

‘Resident Evil 3’ (1999)

This classic survival horror game, created by Capcom, follows Jill Valentine’s desperate attempt to escape the zombie-infested Raccoon City. As a highly trained member of S.T.A.R.S., Jill is relentlessly hunted by the Nemesis, a terrifying bio-weapon created specifically to eliminate her. Her skills and experience make her a strong and memorable character in the ‘Resident Evil’ series, and the game cemented her place as a horror icon.

‘The Last of Us Part II’ (2020)

This sequel, created by Naughty Dog and published by Sony, puts Ellie in the spotlight. Picking up after the first game, Ellie travels through a devastated Seattle driven by a fierce desire for revenge. The story delves into the damaging consequences of violence and how it affects Ellie, showing a much more troubled side to her character. The game also follows Abby, a strong female protagonist, creating a dual narrative entirely focused on the experiences of these two women.

‘Tomb Raider’ (2013)

This new game, created by Crystal Dynamics and published by Square Enix, tells the story of how Lara Croft became the famous adventurer we know. Players see Lara change from a fresh archaeology graduate into a tough survivor after becoming stranded on a strange island. The game highlights her strength and resilience as she battles dangerous enemies and faces supernatural challenges. This version of Lara has been celebrated for making her a more complex and relatable character, showing her vulnerability alongside her bravery.

‘The Walking Dead: Season Two’ (2013)

This story-focused adventure game, created by Telltale Games, lets you play as young Clementine. After being cared for by others in the first season, Clementine now has to survive the zombie apocalypse and deal with dangerous people all by herself. The game challenges you to make tough choices, seeing the world through the eyes of a child who’s had to grow up fast. Clementine’s journey to becoming a strong survivor makes her the heart of the entire series.

‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ (2017)

Developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony, this game features Aloy, a resourceful outcast in a world dominated by robots. Aloy is on a journey to discover the truth about her origins and a lost ancient civilization. As a talented hunter and archer, she uses a special device called the “Focus” to find the weak spots of the machines she battles. Aloy’s smarts and self-reliance have quickly made her a popular and iconic character on PlayStation.

‘Metroid Dread’ (2021)

Metroid Dread, created by MercurySteam and Nintendo, brings back the iconic Samus Aran on a mission to explore the dangerous planet ZDR. As a skilled bounty hunter, Samus faces deadly E.M.M.I. robots and investigates the origins of the X Parasite. The game focuses on Samus’s incredible agility and powerful, advanced weapons, solidifying her status as a galactic warrior. She continues to be a groundbreaking female character in gaming, known for her quiet strength and impressive abilities.

‘NieR: Automata’ (2017)

I’ve been totally hooked on this action RPG made by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. You play as a bunch of androids – 2B, A2, and 9S – but honestly, 2B and A2 really carry the story. Even though 9S is a character, the game is all about their perspectives and how amazingly they fight. 2B is this super stoic character, and A2 is a total rebel, and together they really make you think about what it even means to be human. They’re just incredible characters, with designs and stories that have quickly made them some of my favorites ever.

‘Portal 2’ (2011)

This puzzle-platformer, created by Valve, features Chell, a clever and determined test subject who doesn’t say a word. Players guide Chell through the rundown Aperture Science facility, using a special portal gun to overcome tricky physics-based puzzles. She encounters and opposes GLaDOS and Wheatley, two memorable and witty artificial intelligences. Ultimately, it’s Chell’s unwavering determination that drives the story and makes her the true hero of the ‘Portal’ world, even without uttering a single line.

2026-01-22 00:53