Games That Featured Trans Protagonists Without Making It the Plot

Video games are increasingly featuring transgender and non-binary characters in more prominent roles. Where they used to be minor characters, they’re now often main characters. Importantly, many modern games let players identify with these characters without making their story all about being transgender. Instead, these games show trans characters as complex people, focusing on the game’s story and action. This approach works across all kinds of games, from fantasy adventures to competitive shooters, proving that diverse characters can fit naturally into any genre.

‘Celeste’ (2018)

Celeste, a platformer created by Extremely OK Games, tells the story of Madeline’s challenging climb up Celeste Mountain. The game explores themes of anxiety and depression through Madeline’s personal journey, and the game’s director, Maddy Thorson, later revealed that Madeline is a transgender woman. However, the game’s core gameplay – focused on skillful jumping and quick movements – isn’t about her gender identity. This detail simply adds another layer of richness to Madeline’s character as she battles her inner demons and strives to overcome obstacles.

‘Apex Legends’ (2019)

Respawn Entertainment recently added Catalyst (Tressa Smith) to their popular battle royale game, making her the first openly transgender woman on the character roster. Catalyst controls ferrofluid to change the battlefield, using her powers to defend her home on the moon of Boreas. While her backstory mentions her transition as a young person, the game focuses on her skills as a strategist and her ability to create strong defenses. Her identity is presented as a normal part of who she is, without making it the main focus of the game’s competition.

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ (2020)

Cyberpunk 2077, created by CD Projekt Red, is an open-world role-playing game where players create and customize their character, V. The game offers extensive options for gender expression, allowing players to design a transgender character if they choose. The story follows V’s struggle for survival in Night City after a failed robbery, complicated by a digital entity taking over their mind. Because body modification is common in the game’s world, V’s gender identity is a matter of personal choice and doesn’t drive the main storyline.

‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ (2023)

As a huge fan, I’m blown away by the role-playing game Larian Studios made! It’s built around the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ rules, and you get to create a hero exactly how you want. What’s really cool is the character creation – it lets you choose any identity, including non-binary options, and customize things like body type, voice, and pronouns separately. The story is epic – a mind flayer invasion threatens the world, and you’re on a quest to either save or conquer it! What I especially appreciate is that the game focuses on how the world reacts to who you are and the choices you make, rather than getting hung up on gender. So, if my character is trans, it’s a part of their personal story, but it doesn’t define their journey.

‘Starfield’ (2023)

Okay, so Bethesda really knocked it out of the park with their new space RPG! I was super impressed with the character creation – you can pick ‘They/Them’ pronouns, which is awesome, and customize your body however you want. It feels really inclusive. Basically, you play as someone who joins Constellation, a group that’s all about figuring out the secrets of the universe. The game is all about finding ancient stuff and blasting off to explore tons of different planets in this area called the Settled Systems. It’s a huge adventure!

‘The Sims 4’ (2014)

Maxis has continually improved this life simulation game to be more inclusive. Updates in 2016 removed gender limitations on clothing and body types, and a 2023 update introduced medical items like binders and top surgery scars. This allows players to create transgender characters whose stories focus on their lives – their jobs, relationships, and interests – rather than solely on their transition. ‘The Sims 4’ offers a flexible environment where a character’s identity is important but doesn’t define their entire experience.

‘Overwatch 2’ (2022)

Blizzard Entertainment has added a new hero to its game: Venture, an archaeologist who uses a large drill to get around. Venture is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, which is reflected in their character design. They’re a damage-focused character who loves history and exploring. The story behind Venture highlights their skills and personality, and doesn’t center around their gender identity.

‘Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ (2022)

Wonderlands, a new game from the creators of Borderlands, lets you create a totally unique hero called the Fatemaker. You can pick their voice and how they act separately from how they look, and even choose non-binary pronouns. The game is set inside a fantasy tabletop game led by the character Tiny Tina, where you’ll go on a quest to defeat the Dragon Lord. Choosing your character’s identity is a normal part of creating your hero in this wild and unpredictable adventure.

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

FromSoftware’s popular action RPG lets players design their character with a lot of freedom. Instead of choosing a gender, you select a body type, allowing for diverse appearances. The game centers around a journey to repair the Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord in a vast world. The story and characters treat you as an outsider – a ‘Tarnished’ – and don’t focus on your character’s gender.

‘Ikenfell’ (2020)

Happy Ray Games created this strategy RPG set at a school for magic. Players follow a group of students, including Ima, who uses they/them pronouns. The story revolves around a mystery – students are disappearing, and the game explores the hidden truths of the magical world. The game features a diverse cast of characters, including several LGBTQ+ individuals, and their identities feel like a natural part of the story, rather than the main source of conflict.

‘South Park: The Fractured But Whole’ (2017)

This RPG, created by Ubisoft San Francisco, lets players create a new character who joins a group of kids on a superhero adventure. During a scene with Mr. Mackey, players can choose their character’s gender identity, including options for transgender and non-binary identities. This choice affects how other characters address the player throughout the game, but doesn’t change the story itself. It’s a way for the game to recognize and include players’ identities within its humorous and satirical world.

‘Street Fighter 6’ (2023)

Capcom added a new World Tour mode where players can design their own character and train with famous fighters. The character creation tools are very detailed, letting you create characters of any gender identity with customizable bodies and voices. This character is the hero of a single-player story, traveling the world to discover the true meaning of strength. The story focuses on the world of fighting and personal development, rather than the character’s gender.

‘Hardspace: Shipbreaker’ (2022)

In this simulation game from Blackbird Interactive, players take on the role of a “Cutter” – someone who salvages abandoned spaceships for the LYNX Corporation. You can customize your character’s appearance and voice, including gender-neutral options that affect how others address you in the game. The story touches on issues like unfair corporate practices, workers’ rights, and the risks of working in space. While you can shape your character’s identity, the main focus of the game is on the challenging process of salvaging ships and paying off debts.

‘Dragon’s Dogma 2’ (2024)

Capcom’s latest fantasy game lets players create highly detailed characters, including the option to design transgender characters. The story centers on the player, known as the Arisen, who must retrieve their stolen heart and get involved in the conflict between two kingdoms. The game emphasizes the hero’s journey and doesn’t focus on the character’s gender identity.

Please share your thoughts on these titles and your favorite gaming protagonists in the comments.

2026-01-22 18:52