10 Underrated Female Protagonists

Key Takeaways

Evie Frye from Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate excels in attacking from the shadows and has great chemistry with her brother, Jacob.
Rubi from Wet blends Max Payne elements into a bloody third-person shooter adventure.
Jesse from Control wields supernatural powers and has a complex story, adored by fans.

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for strong female protagonists and a penchant for immersive gameplay experiences, I find myself drawn to these three extraordinary women: Faith, Alyx Vance, and Jade.

There are numerous memorable female characters in video games that often get mentioned, such as Lara Croft and Aloy. However, it’s worth noting that there are many other remarkable women in the gaming world who haven’t received as much attention but definitely should.

If you’re open to exploring further, there’s a wealth of remarkable, yet underappreciated, female characters waiting to be discovered – and I truly believe you’re missing out if you haven’t encountered them! Here’s a list of some outstanding female leads that deserve your attention:

10 Evie Frye

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate is one of my favorites, set in a superb recreation of Victorian London.

To begin, we introduce Evie Frye, one half of a playable duo alongside her brother, Jacob. Their on-screen bond is strong and watching their sibling relationship unfold feels authentic, making it a pleasant change.

Instead of playing in the same manner, Evie displays a more composed and strategic approach compared to Jacob. Her gameplay style mirrors that of a classic “Assassin,” being more measured and deliberate in her actions.

As a gamer myself, I can’t help but admit that, whether intentionally or not, Evie is simply unmatched in her dominance. If you’re into high score chases, she’s more than capable of piling up an impressive tally of opponents.

9 Rubi

Wet

A game seldom mentioned these days is “Wet,” which features the tough-as-nails character Rubi Malone in an exhilarating third-person shooting experience.

As a fan, I must say that playing Rubi feels like an exhilarating fusion of the Max Payne games and Stranglehold. Just like those iconic characters, Rubi can slow down time to dodge bullets and perform death-defying acrobatics. She’s not one to shy away from a fight – whether it’s with firearms at a distance or up close with a deadly blade. And let’s not forget, she doesn’t flinch at the sight of blood!

Rubi’s actions often resemble those found in classic 90’s action movies. She manages to survive seemingly insurmountable challenges, accumulates a staggering number of adversaries, and handles every situation with remarkable calmness.

Playing as Rubi is an absolute delight, and she doesn’t shy away from being brutally violent and using strong language. If you can temporarily set aside your reservations for a while and are okay with some Quick Time Events, you’re in for a blast of fun in this immersive 3D adventure game.

8 Jesse Faden

Control

In this unique, solo adventure title, you assume the role of Jesse Faden, the latest Director at the Bureau, a mysterious organization that investigates unexplained supernatural occurrences, such as ‘The Hiss.’

The game carefully keeps Jesse’s character shrouded in mystery since it plays a significant role in the overall experience. However, it’s worth noting that as the story unfolds, Jesse gains access to an array of supernatural abilities, such as telekinesis, which allows her to move objects at will.

Besides his regular arsenal, Jesse is proficient with a versatile weapon, known as the Transformative Firearm. This unique sidearm has the ability to change its shape to confront various dangers effectively.

Among all the games listed, Control stands out for having the most intricate narrative. However, opinions differ on how well this narrative is presented. Nonetheless, the character of Jesse is generally loved by fans across the board.

7 Yuna

Final Fantasy X-2

Final Fantasy X stands out among the best Role Playing Games (RPGs) for the PlayStation 2. On the other hand, X-2 is a spin-off featuring Yuna, although it doesn’t quite reach the excellence of the original X, it remains a commendable game.

It’s true that characters like Yuna, Rikku, or Paine were strong contenders, but without a doubt, “Final Fantasy X-2” centers around Yuna and her quest to find Tidus, whom she lost at the conclusion of “Final Fantasy X”.

Instead of sticking with her summoning staff, Yuna switches to modern weaponry and employs the latest Dress Sphere system. Essentially, it operates like a “profession system,” offering unique and imaginative skill sets.

In essence, the primary plot of Final Fantasy X revolved around Yuna’s mission to become a summoner. Notably, X-2 demonstrates that she excels and shines brightly when under the limelight as well.

6 Aveline de Grandpre

Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation

We’ve already talked about Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, but fewer players know about the smaller titles between mainline entries.

In the captivating world of “Assassin’s Creed Liberation”, I find myself embodying Aveline, a character who masterfully adapts to various circumstances by assuming three distinct personas. As a slave, a lady of the house, or an Assassin, each role brings unique advantages and skills that help me navigate through this intricate narrative.

Aveline effortlessly socializes with high society individuals and employs this skill for intelligence gathering. Not surprisingly, she is skilled in carrying out silent assassinations, a trait that is characteristic of a true Assassin.

The game titled “Liberation” stands out as less complex compared to other “Assassin’s Creed” games because it was initially designed for the PS Vita system. However, its high-definition version is quite good, especially since it’s optimized for both consoles and PCs if you’re interested in playing it.

5 Chell

Portal Series

Portal 1 and 2 are outstanding first-person puzzle games that value precise shooting skills and creative thinking. The series enjoys global adoration, yet it’s safe to say that a larger number of people recognize GLaDOS and the Portal Gun over the main character.

In both Portal games, you control the character named Chell who maneuvers and escapes from Aperture Science Laboratories. Chell doesn’t have any extraordinary abilities except for using one of the most impressive guns found in video games. Additionally, due to some mechanical devices around her ankles, she is resistant to fall damage.

Chell, being the protagonist without much dialogue, follows the trend set by Valve and their silent hero Gordon Freeman from Half-Life. By strategically placing portals, it’s possible to discern the mysterious nature of Portal’s main character.

4 Emily Kaldwin

Dishonored 2

Among my favorite video games are the “Dishonored” series, and I even participate in speedrunning the original game. The first installment centers around the character Corvo, while “Dishonored 2” offers players the chance to control Emily Kaldwin as well – a character who proves herself to be quite formidable.

You’ll see that several characters share this common theme, but Emily excels by employing guile and agility. In confrontations, she subtly manipulates the odds working in her favor. She is significantly more agile than Corvo, often choosing indirect strategies for combat.

In a roundabout manner, Emily proves lethal in the game ‘Dishonored 2’. Her ability to conjure doppelgangers adds an element of confusion for her adversaries, while her ‘Dark Vision’ essentially equips her with wall-penetrating perception.

Emily’s impressive set of skills makes her equally formidable as Corvo, and an outstanding character within the Dishonored universe. Could we possibly get some news about Dishonored 3 soon?

3 Faith

Mirror’s Edge

Faith is the protagonist of the Mirror’s Edge games, a stylish and original franchise from EA.

Mirror’s Edge” is an exceptional collection of games that features the thrill of free running seen through a first-person viewpoint. It might feel a bit confusing at first, but soon enough, you’ll be gracefully traversing walls as if you were a skilled pro.

Faith exhibits impressive agility and fighting prowess, making her a formidable character. She’s capable of handling herself in combat situations, even disarming opponents when necessary. Although she doesn’t have the ability to defy gravity like the Prince of Persia, each level offers an engaging playground for exploration, with numerous ways for Faith to tackle each situation.

It’s a crying shame that we only have two Mirror’s Edge games, as they both showcase Faith’s parkour skills from such a sleek perspective.

Still, both titles are bangers, and the original has aged remarkably well.

2 Alyx Vance

Half-Life: Alyx

As a big fan of VR gaming, I’m thrilled to talk about Half-Life: Alyx.

In the “Half-Life: Alyx” game, you assume the role of Alyx Vance, who belongs to the human resistance movement. The once prosperous civilization has been overrun by a deadly alien species known as the Combine. It falls on Alyx to confront them directly.

Alyx stands out as incredibly resourceful, offering a sense of depth beyond simply being a re-imagining of Gordon Freeman. Moreover, she seems much more relatable because she isn’t a silent protagonist. Many of her experiences feel rooted in the real world, making it delightful to journey through the world from her perspective.

Alyx is mostly underrated because of the lofty requirements to even play her game.

Initially, it’s important to note that “Half-Life Alyx” is exclusively designed for virtual reality (VR), which could potentially limit the number of people who can enjoy the game. Even if you own a VR headset, you are required to use Steam VR software specifically, and your computer needs to be powerful enough to ensure a smooth gaming experience with a good frame rate.

Regardless of specific needs, Half-Life Alyx stands out as a remarkable virtual reality game that I heartily endorse.

1 Jade

Beyond Good and Evil

I’m the leading character in Ubisoft’s game, Beyond Good and Evil, a title that has earned itself a dedicated and enthusiastic following over the years. It’s a cherished cult classic for many gamers like myself.

Initially, “Beyond Good and Evil” appears to be an enjoyable 3D platformer/adventure game. However, in the latter part, it takes a significant turn, introducing more elements of Stealth gaming. This unexpected blend remains engaging even by today’s standards.

Jade possesses an engaging charm as our leading character. She excels in combat situations, skillfully maneuvers stealthily, and also demonstrates proficiency in photography.

Taking photos is a big part of the game and rounds off Jade’s unusual skill set.

A follow-up to “Beyond Good and Evil” was hinted at some time ago, but since then there hasn’t been much news on the subject. I’m eager for Jade’s comeback, but my skeptical side suspects that a Wii U 2 or Dreamcast 2 might appear beforehand.

2024-10-23 16:09