Top 10 Best Female Video Game Protagonists of the Last Decade
Top 10 Female Video Game Protagonists of the Decade
Top 20 Sexiest Female Video Game Characters
Who runs the world? Well...you know the answer already! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Female Video Game Protagonists of the Decade! For this list, we’re taking a look at the heroines that defined the 2010’s judging them on their design, character, story, and significance to representation in the gaming landscape. Unfortunately, we cannot include Ellie from “The Last of Us” as she was not the protagonist; Joel was. But hey, “Part 2” might make her a candidate for the 2020’s!
#10: YoRHa No. 2 Type B (aka “2B”) “Nier: Automata” (2017)
To this day, people are still talking about 2B and her story, or “stories”, if you’ve experienced every ending. While she and 9S go through existential crises and discover feelings in their programming, we see a beautiful, yet emotional relationship blossom between the two. As for 2B herself, the girl knows how to throw down, flipping around the battlefield, guns blazing while taking down colossal foes. This must have been how she managed to find her way into “Soulcalibur VI” as a DLC character. Whether you like her for her unique design or combat prowess, 2B has become one of the most recognizable ladies this decade.
#9: Velvet Crowe “Tales of Berseria” (2017)
There are many JRPGs that place the ladies as love interests to the hero, the damsel in distress, or even as a customized silent protagonist. “Tales of Berseria” is not like most JRPGs. Once an innocent, kindhearted woman, Velvet would turn into a tormented soul after daemons assaulted her village in an event known as the Scarlet Night. When another attack commences seven years later, she becomes infected with Daemonblight, uses it fend off the beasts, and vows to avenge her brother. Needless to say, the story of Velvet Crowe was a compelling one that was embroiled in tragedy, vengeance, and a lot of ass-kicking, which helped make “Tales of Berseria” one of the best games of 2017.
#8: Amicia de Rune “A Plague Tale: Innocence” (2019)
Honestly, we weren’t expecting “A Plague Tale” to be resonating with us so long after launch, and it's mostly because of the game’s main character, Amicia de Rune. You got to give the girl a ton of respect here - she’s dealing with a lot throughout the game! Amicia is merely a teenage girl, forced to take care of her brother while in the midst of the Black Death. On top of that, she’s doing all of this while trying to cope with her family’s deaths! The way she manages to stay confident throughout her journey makes her a fantastic role model and one of the most inspiring characters of this decade. “Amicia de Rune fears nothing!”
#7: Chloe Frazer “Uncharted: The Lost Legacy” (2017)
With Nathan Drake’s story finally closing in “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End”, it was hard to imagine the franchise continuing without the wisecracking treasure hunter. Luckily, Naughty Dog showed the series still has life in it, and it may continue with a familiar face. The sexy and cunning Chloe Frazer has proven to be just as masterful of a thief as Nate, as evident in “Uncharted: The Lost Legacy” where she and Nadine Ross searched for the Tusk of Ganesh. Part of what made her such a memorable character is thanks to her voice actor Claudia Black, whose chemistry with Nolan North helped shaped Chloe’s personality.
#6: Bayonetta “Bayonetta” series (2010-)
Why Bayonetta 2 is the Best Hack and Slash Game Ever
We won’t lie - Bayonetta is certainly the weirdest pick for this list, but why shouldn’t she be here? Just for the fact that she gets naked to unleash her demonic powers? Regardless of how one looks at it, Bayonetta has become an icon in video game heroines thanks to her versatility in combat and unique sense of fashion. She’s become such a prominent figure in gaming that she managed to nab the last spot in the roster for “Super Smash Bros. for Wii U” and make a return once more in “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate”. So, again we ask, “Why shouldn’t she be on here?”
#5: Lara Croft (Reboot) “Tomb Raider” series (2013/18)
Nathan Drake Vs Lara Croft
Lara Croft has gone through a drastic transformation. Whether its better or worse depends on who you ask, but to us, she deserves a spot on this list. Much like “God of War’s” Kratos, Lara Croft underwent significant changes that made us see her in a new light. She may not have been the badass, buxom babe we knew twenty years ago, but her story was one that was gritty, intense, and emotional on occasion. Needless to say, Lara Croft was proof that even the ladies can kick butt. Tell us, who runs the world again?
#4: Madeline “Celeste” (2018)
In recent years, mental illness in video games has become a widely discussed topic in the gaming community, and part of that is thanks to Madeline, the star of “Celeste”. When you aren’t chasing down strawberries or continuously dying from the game’s tricky platforming segments, you’re seeing Madeline struggle with her anxiety and depression, a feeling many people know all too well. In addition to being a representative of those suffering from mental illness, Madeline has become yet another famous face in the indie gaming community. Here’s hoping we see her again in a “Celeste” sequel!
#3: Senua “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice” (2017)
While we’re on the subject of video game characters and mental illness in video games, we cannot forget about Senua, the tragic titular heroine of Ninja Theory’s “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice”. As she fights her way to Helheim, Senua is in a constant battle with psychosis, a mental condition that makes it difficult for a person to differentiate between delusions and reality. To convey this condition as accurately as possible, Ninja Theory did their homework and worked closely with several specialists and patients. What resulted from their efforts and Melina Juergen’s award winning performance was a character that expertly shows the potential in using games as a way to increase mental health awareness.
#2: Clementine “The Walking Dead” series (2012/19)
Throughout the past decade, we haven’t seen a character evolve the same way as “The Walking Dead’s” Clementine. In the first season, she was simply a frightened little girl who had to grow up in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. As the series progressed, she grew into a fearless leader in the same vein as Lee. Clementine’s story was unlike any story we’ve been given in recent years - one that was filled with fear, dread, and hope. And to think we almost didn’t get an ending after Telltale’s closure! Before we reveal the decade’s number one heroine in gaming, here are a few Honorable Mentions… Jesse “Control” (2019) Miriam “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night” (2019) Amanda Ripley “Alien: Isolation” (2014) Hat Kid “A Hat in Time” (2017)
#1: Aloy “Horizon Zero Dawn” (2017)
Horizon: Aloy's Origin Story
The PlayStation family has a new member, and her name is Aloy! “Horizon Zero Dawn” boasted a breathtaking world with deep combat mechanics and enemy design, but the main attraction was Aloy. Played by the illustrious Ashly Burch, this outcast was one of the most relatable and memorable heroines we’ve had in years thanks to her determined attitude and occasional sass. Aloy is also one of the best role models in games as she often lends a helping hand to those in need. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting this wonderfully written character yet, you need to pick up “Horizon Zero Dawn”. You won’t regret it!
