The Best Shooters With A Female Protagonist

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Summary

  • Wolfenstein: Youngblood features trigger-happy twins injecting Gen Z chaos into Nazi-slaying mayhem.
  • Returnal’s Selene navigates a nightmare planet with psychological terror, unraveling sanity with each death.
  • Resident Evil 3 Remake puts Jill Valentine in the gritty, action-hero spotlight with unflinching determination.

There’s an indelible quality to fighting alongside a protagonist who not only stands her ground, but steals the show and dominates every scene. Although female leads are regrettably scarce in shooter games, those that do appear tend to make a lasting impression far beyond the last level completion. These six shooters offer more than just solid gunplay and creative action sequences; they offer these experiences through female protagonists who are intricate, captivating, and let’s face it, cooler than many of their male counterparts.

Instead, let me clarify that these aren’t merely “strong female characters.” They are thoughtfully crafted women with depth, distinctive style, and clear intent. These characters seamlessly blend into the games, as if they were custom-made for them, like a hand fitting perfectly into a fingerless, bloodstained glove.

6. Wolfenstein: Youngblood

You Can’t Spell Mayhem Without M.A.Y.

In a fresh twist, Wolfenstein: Youngblood infuses the intense action of Nazi-killing with a dash of modern anarchy, brought about by the Blazkowicz sisters, Jess and Soph. Unlike their father B.J. Blazkowicz, these twin daughters are far from mere leather jacket replicas; they’re boisterous, reckless, and trigger-happy individuals who find humor in firefights and deliver witty remarks with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

In an alternate 1980s Paris bathed in neon lights and oppressive fascism, this game deviates from its traditional seriousness, focusing instead on cooperative enjoyment. Despite the narrative not carrying the emotional depth found in “The New Colossus“, the combat is exhilarating, and the upgrade system offers a variety of abilities such as cloaking or increased melee damage, making the chaos even more intricate. Regardless if you select Soph or Jess, the gameplay remains consistent: a blaze of gunfire, wit, and camaraderie.

5. Returnal

Housemarque’s Bullet-Hell Existential Crisis

The reason why Returnal is frequently labeled as one of the most psychologically demanding games on PlayStation 5 is not only due to its challenging roguelike gameplay, but also because the protagonist, Selene Vassos – a middle-aged space pilot with a monotone voice and a troubled history – appears to be losing her grip on reality with each character death.

Planet Atropos is more a haunting nightmare than a battlefield. It’s filled with hostile environments, biomechanical monstrosities, and a time loop where Selene repeatedly encounters her own dead body. Despite not being a soldier or chosen one, she’s a scout navigating a cosmic horror story that seems to despise her. The game’s third-person shooting relies heavily on swift reactions, agile dodging, and strategic weapon upgrades for each playthrough, but it’s Selene’s unwavering resolve that makes the journey painful. She’s not trying to save the world; she just wants escape.

4. Resident Evil 3 Remake

One City. One Monster. One Girl With A Rocket Launcher.

In 2020, the release of Resident Evil 3 Remake provided Jill Valentine with the intense, heroic limelight that she had long been due. She’s no novice when it comes to bio-organic horror; this is the same Jill who established the BSAA after surviving the Spencer Mansion ordeal. However, unlike her previous experiences, this game eliminates team dynamics and places her in a solitary struggle against Raccoon City, with Nemesis relentlessly pursuing her.

In this reimagined version of the game, I, Jill, have swapped my iconic tube top for a more practical yet fashionable outfit, perfect for combat situations. The gameplay now focuses more on action rather than survival horror, introducing a dodge mechanic that rewards quick reflexes with bullet-time effects. But what truly sets me apart is my unyielding determination. I’m not just running through burning streets or facing off against mutated monstrosities with a grenade launcher – I’m taking them down, no backup needed. Because when it comes to survival, I am the backup.

3. Tomb Raider

Lara Croft Didn’t Just Survive—She Killed Her Way There

In 2013, when Tomb Raider was rebooted, it was high time for a fresh take on the renowned archaeologist, Lara Croft. Gone were the days of the invincible, quick-witted action figure from the PS1 era. The new Lara is capable of bleeding, breaking, and screaming, but she also learns swiftly.

Initially, a harrowing struggle for survival following a shipwreck evolves into a gripping origin tale etched in blood, with the island of Yamatai serving as the backdrop. Filled with cultists, lethal wildlife, and challenging environmental riddles embedded within ancient ruins, this island is no picnic. Though the bow often takes center stage, Lara proves equally lethal with firearms like pistols and shotguns, not to mention her knack for explosives. Her transformation from a terrified castaway to a cold-blooded assassin may make viewers squirm, but that’s precisely the intention. This version of Lara doesn’t luck into greatness; instead, she battles through the fiery pits of hell to achieve it.

2. Control

In This Federal Bureau, The Boss Wears Red

Instead of simply providing players with a gun, it equips them with the Service Weapon – a versatile firearm that transforms during combat. Moreover, Jesse Faden isn’t just another action hero grappling with a past shrouded in mystery; she assumes the role of the new Director at the Federal Bureau of Control, an enigmatic government agency hidden deep within the ever-changing corridors of the Oldest House.

In a game filled with bizarre and chaotic events, Jesse’s composed and inquisitive attitude provides a stable foundation. From conversing with a talking, teleporting light switch to battling mind-controlled agents using telekinesis, it all seems effortless for her. Despite being immersed in a universe of cosmic anomalies, floating corpses, and enigmatic janitors, she adapts gracefully. The combat is intense, but it’s Jesse’s unique abilities and her resilient leadership in the face of a collapsing reality that make her truly memorable.

1. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Samus Doesn’t Speak Much. She Doesn’t Need To

In the video game titled “Metroid Prime 2: Echoes“, Samus Aran ventures into one of the series’ visually unique environments, a planet named Aether, which is divided into light and dark realms. What makes Samus particularly intriguing in this game isn’t just her role as a bounty hunter in an advanced suit; rather, it’s her ability to convey a sense of command even though she speaks very little and spends most of the game alone. This silent, solitary Samus often feels more powerful than many protagonists who have voice acting.

The gameplay combines first-person shooting action with intricate puzzle solving that involves exploration, while focusing on examining surroundings and moving between Light and Dark realms to advance. Each upgrade, such as the Dark Beam or Screw Attack, underscores Samus’ control over a world determined to destroy her. Following the style of the classic Metroid, she doesn’t seek recognition; instead, she remains steadfast, displaying no emotion except for cold determination in the face of a reality disintegrating before her eyes. Samus embodies skill without fanfare or dialogue, choosing instead to focus on calculated survival and powerful weaponry as the world around her fractures.

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2025-07-05 07:34