Games Where the Default Character Is a Dark-Skinned Black Woman

For years, video game heroes typically looked the same, but that’s changing in a really important way. We’re now seeing more games where dark-skinned Black women are the main characters – not just supporting roles, but the central heroes whose stories you play. This is a turning point for gaming narratives. Instead of letting players simply create a character, developers are building detailed stories that celebrate the strength and depth of Black women, and challenging the industry’s past issues with bias and underrepresentation. These games aren’t just about checking a diversity box; they’re adding new and exciting viewpoints, unique designs, and proving that a dark-skinned Black woman can be just as compelling and universal a hero as anyone else.

‘Alan Wake 2’ (2023)

Developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by Epic Games Publishing, this survival horror game lets you play as two characters. You primarily control Saga Anderson, a skilled FBI agent sent to the town of Bright Falls to investigate disturbing murders. Based on and voiced by Melanie Liburd, Saga offers a realistic, detective-focused approach to the game’s strange and chaotic events. Understanding her story is key to solving the mystery, and players will use a special area called the “Mind Place” to connect clues and uncover the truth.

‘Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden’ (2024)

This action RPG, created by Don’t Nod and published by Focus Entertainment, takes place in 1695 New England and follows two ghost hunters. Players control Red and Antea Duarte, a skilled banisher who becomes a ghost early on. As players, you’ll alternate between Red’s combat skills and Antea’s ghostly abilities to fight supernatural enemies and investigate hauntings. The game’s story deeply explores the relationship between the two characters, with Antea’s background and experiences playing a key role in the emotional impact of the narrative.

‘Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’ (2024)

A44 Games, with support from Kepler Interactive, developed this action RPG, often described as being similar to the ‘Souls’ series but more accessible. Players control Nor Vanek, a skilled warrior and member of a coalition army, alongside her magical fox companion, Enki. Nor fights against invading gods using a combination of swords, guns, and magic. The game highlights Nor’s experience as a battle-hardened soldier, and features fast-paced combat that relies on timing and movement.

‘Forspoken’ (2023)

In the game, players take on the role of Frey Holland, a woman unexpectedly pulled from New York City into the fantastical world of Athia. Based on the likeness of Ella Balinska, Frey quickly develops magical powers, letting her move quickly across the land using parkour and cast spells based on different elements. As the main character, she must learn to control these abilities to overcome the powerful Tantas and ultimately find a way back home. The story focuses on Frey’s search for belonging and her journey to discover her own value in this unfamiliar place.

‘Dishonored: Death of the Outsider’ (2017)

Developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, this game is a standalone expansion to the popular stealth series. Players take on the role of Billie Lurk, an assassin who is determined to defeat the powerful, god-like figure known as the Outsider. Billie has her own special supernatural powers and tools, making her different from characters in earlier games. This installment wraps up the long-running ‘Kaldwin era’ storyline and puts Billie at the heart of the series’ biggest philosophical battle.

‘Subnautica: Below Zero’ (2021)

Subnautica’s developer, Unknown Worlds Entertainment, created this exciting survival game where you explore a vast alien planet. You play as Robin Ayou, a scientist studying alien life, who travels to Planet 4546B to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death. Unlike the previous game, Robin speaks throughout the adventure, commenting on her surroundings and interacting with other characters. As you explore icy underwater areas and build bases, you’ll need to carefully monitor Robin’s health and temperature to survive.

‘Season: A Letter to the Future’ (2023)

This beautiful adventure game, created by Scavengers Studio, tells the story of a world about to be erased, and one woman’s quest to preserve its memories. You play as Estelle, a traveler who cycles through a fading world, capturing its beauty through photos, recordings, and conversations. The game is a peaceful and reflective experience, and Estelle’s design – a woman of color with natural hair – adds a relatable and human touch to the game’s fantastical setting.

‘The Walking Dead: Michonne’ (2016)

This game, created by Telltale Games, is a story-driven adventure featuring Michonne, a skilled survivor from the popular comic book series. It fills in a missing piece of her story, showing her journey through emotional trauma and painful memories of her daughters as she deals with other groups of survivors. Players shape Michonne’s relationships and how she survives through the choices they make in conversations and actions.

‘Deathloop’ (2021)

So, I’ve been playing this awesome first-person shooter made by Arkane Lyon, and published by Bethesda. You play mostly as Colt, but there’s another main character, Julianna Blake – she’s basically the head of security for this whole program. What’s really cool is in ‘Protect the Loop’ mode, you become Julianna and invade someone else’s game to hunt down Colt! She’s a total badass – super stylish, a woman of color, and really quick with a comeback. Plus, she’s a huge part of the story and the whole rivalry between the characters.

‘Slime Rancher 2’ (2022)

Monomi Park created a charming life simulation game where you play as Beatrix LeBeau, a rancher who moves to Rainbow Island. There, she collects and cares for cute slimes! Beatrix, who is a woman of color with brown skin and textured hair, explores the island, improves her ranch, and uncovers the mysteries of old technology hidden throughout the land.

‘Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition’ (2018)

Long Hat House created Dandara, a distinctive 2D platformer published by Raw Fury. The game’s main character, Dandara, is based on Dandara dos Palmares, a historical Afro-Brazilian warrior who resisted slavery. In the game, she can jump between surfaces, ignoring gravity, as she explores a strange and beautiful world called the Salt. Dandara’s design and the game’s story both highlight her background and explore powerful themes of freedom and fighting against oppression, all within a Metroidvania-style adventure.

‘Virginia’ (2016)

Variable State created the mystery thriller game, published by 505 Games. Players experience the story as Anne Tarver, a new FBI agent sent to a small town to solve a missing person case – and investigate her own partner. As a Black woman, Anne faces challenges in a sometimes unwelcoming workplace. The game stands out with its unique visual style and tells its story without dialogue, using visuals, editing, and music to convey Anne’s feelings and the unfolding mystery.

‘Mutazione’ (2019)

Developed by Die Gute Fabrik and published by Akupara Games, this game is a story-rich experience often described as a ‘mutant soap opera.’ Players take on the role of Kai, a 15-year-old girl who journeys to a secluded island community of mutants to help her sick grandfather. Kai, a character with dark skin, acts as a connection between the human world and the island’s mysterious, supernatural environment. The game centers around gardening, conversations, and forming bonds with the town’s unique residents.

‘Murder by Numbers’ (2020)

Developed by Mediatonic and published by The Irregular Corporation, this game blends the storytelling of a visual novel with the logic of nonogram puzzles. You play as Honor Mizrahi, a former Hollywood actress who now works as a detective and must prove her innocence after her boss is killed. Honor is a stylish, resilient woman of color, and she’s joined by a helpful floating robot companion named SCOUT. The game focuses on her cleverness as she investigates crimes throughout Los Angeles.

‘Knights and Bikes’ (2019)

Foam Sword created this hand-painted adventure game, published by Double Fine Presents. It follows two main characters, Demelza and Nessa, a young orphan who comes to the island of Penfurzy. Players can play as Nessa by herself or with a friend, and together they’ll explore the island on bikes while hunting for lost treasure. Nessa is a strong but sensitive character, and her bond with Demelza is at the heart of this story about growing up.

Tell us about your favorite character from this list in the comments.

2025-12-18 07:16