The woman in video games: 12 icons that have made the history of the medium

For this day of 8 March, Women's Day, we want to offer you twelve iconic female characters that have made the history of video games. Many of these characters even date back to an earlier period of the PlayStation era. This is to remind someone that the female figure has always been of great importance in the medium.

Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series

First appearance: Tomb Raider (1996)
Platforms: SEGA Saturn, PlayStation, PC, Mac, Sega Dreamcast, Gameboy Color, PlayStation 2, Mobile, Gameboy Advance, Xbox, Nintendo Gamecube, Nintendo DS, PSP,  Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Lara Croft, the archetype of the videogame heroine

A character who needs no introduction, perhaps archetype of the videogame heroine (not for this, she is an archaeologist by profession). Lara Croft makes her debut in the first chapter of the successful series tomb raider, released for Saturn, PlayStation, PC and Mac way back in 1996.
A character in the round (apart from polygons), built on strength and agility and on the iconic double, but also on charisma and a cheeky sense of humor. A character who also represents the spirit of adventure: Lara has traveled for all the world, in a great variety of places such as tombs, crypts, museums, cathedrals and even our Rome and Venice.

Tomb Raider, one of the most popular series ever

The Tomb Raider saga is perhaps among the most Popular e prosperose ever. It has landed on many consoles including the original series, spin-offs for mobile and portable consoles, remakes and the recent reboot, concluded with Shadow of The Tomb Raider. Three films have also been made, including two with the beautiful Angelina Joile, based on the cousin Lara Croft and the last, based on the reboot series, starring Alicia Vikander (still pretty, but we prefer Jolie).

Our Lara Croft

The reboot saga is more than excellent, we passed it with flying colors. However we believe that this Lara is a more "human" character, less iconic, compared to that of the original titles. The first Lara Croftis, in short, the one that will always remain in the hearts of us players. A game design it's a character design that have inspired many other titles, among these, we cannot fail to mention Uncharted. Nathan Drake is practically a male Lara Croft. The fact that the concept inspired the Naughty Dog team is even more evident with the chapter dedicated to Chloe, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.

Nina Williams from the Tekken series

First appearance: Tekken (1994)

Platforms: Arcade, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Gameboy Advance, PSP, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Mobile

Nina, the expert martial artist Akido

Irish assassin Nina Williams is the most famous female character in the Tekken saga, the only woman who appears in each chapter of the series. She was educated by her father Richard her, together with her sister Anna (her nemesis) in the martial arts style in Akido. Initially she was an agent of the secret forces, she was then commissioned by Heiachi Mishima to eliminate her son Kazuya during the Tekken tournament. In Takken 3 she lost her memory due to a cryogenic dream, but she also rejuvenated her.

Nina has her own spin-off: Death by Degrees

The character is so popular that he even had his own spin-off: Tekken's Nina Williams in: Death by Degrees. This is not a simple fighting game, but a hybrid between scrolling fighting and exploration.

A movie-inspired character

The character is inspired by the Nikita from the well-known Luc Besson film. Just think that the name of the American remake of the film is Code name: Nina.

Trish from the Devil May Cry series

First appearance: Devil May Cry (2001)

Platforms: PlayStation 2, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Dante's partner in the Devil May Cry agency

Trish is a demon, partner of Dante, one of the protagonists of the series, in the Devil May Cry agency whose task is to hunt down hostile demons. Although she presents herself as a sweet and sensual woman, her fighting style is fatal: she is very skilled in both the sword and pistol fight.

A relationship of ups and downs

He has a relationship of ups and downs with Dante: first of all it must be specified that he was born as a puppet of Mundus, so initially he was cruel. She is then rescued by Dante so she develops feelings for her upon arriving even to sacrifice himself for him. She then returned to life thanks to Dante, she decides to become her colleague. A fundamental aspect of her change is the fact that she is moved, crying. A demon cannot shed tears.

In the animated series there will be a detachment between the two characters, who are then reunited in Devil May Cry 4. It is not clear whether the two have ever actually been in a romantic relationship. What is sure is that they care for each other.

Ellie di The Last of Us

First appearance: The Last of Us (2013)

Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4

The only healthy carrier of the Cordyceps parasite

Ellie is the co-star of the video game developed by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us. She is a XNUMX-year-old girl who is a healthy carrier of the Cordyceps parasite, a fungus that transforms guests into zombie-like creatures. The task of the protagonist Joel is to cross the United States to take her to the camp of the Lights (Fireflygts in English), resistance convinced that he can create a vaccine from the girl. It is in fact theonly healthy carrier known to the world.

 

A character with remarkable writing

Although in the early stages of the game our task will be to protect her from the infected and mercenaries, she will then have to watch over Joel in the long period of convalescence due to the heavy injuries sustained during a fight. She will be used as the main character for most of the second part of the game and, despite her young age, she will prove herself a skilled fighter. A character with a remarkable and constantly evolving writing, it is also evident in the Left Bethind DLC and as seen in the trailers of The Last of Us Part II.

Especially in the first chapter the similarity is evident con movie star Ellen Page, che she would even complain of the thing during some interviews.

Tifa Lockhart in Final Fantasy VII

First appearance: Final Fantasy VII (1997)

Platforms: PlayStation, PlayStation 3, PC, PlayStation 4

Tifa Lockhart, the co-star of Final Fantasy VII

Tifa Lockhart is the female co-star of Final Fantasy VII. She has known Cloud Strife since childhood which she is very attached to. The girl, with a slim and provocative look, owns a bar called Settimo Cielo, located first in the slums of Midgar, then in Edge.

 

An emotional character with a personality full of contrasts

Tifa has a personality very complex and constantly evolving. Her character is characterized by very often contrasting elements: in many cases she is seen to be determined and courageous, in others very fragile and insecure. Plus she is very emotional. It is part of the eco-terrorist group Avalanche and deeply despises the Shinra. Avalanche, however, is not without fault: during his work he caused many deaths. For this Tifa constantly feels guilty.

This is a well-written character in the main chapter and sequels. However, not so much in the prequels. She remains one of our favorite female characters in the Final Fantasy saga.

Jade da Beyond Good & Evil

First appearance: Beyond Good & Evil (2003)

Platforms: PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox, Gamecube, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

L'orfana Jade

Another female character we really liked is Jade from Ubisoft's Beyond Good & Evil title. The girl owns an orphanage and the Jade Reporter & co. He lives on the island of the mining planet of Hillys with his adoptive uncle Pey'j and fights the invasion of the Dom'Z.

Passionate about photography and martial arts expert

The young Jade is an orphan, she doesn't remember anything about her parents, except the fact that they gave him as a gift the digital camera that we always use in the game. Besides being passionate about photography she is also an expert in martial arts for which it uses the Give it to me a fighting stick. He will also discover that he has a special power capable of bringing the dead back to life.

Beyond: Good & Evil is a great game, as well as one of the best of the old school Ubisoft. It boasts of excellent writing and character design. If you haven't played it, play it, even in sight of the upcoming sequel.

Elaine Marley, from the Monkey Island saga

First appearance: The Secret of Monkey Island (1990)

Platforms: PC (MS-Dos e Windows), Amiga, Mac, Atari ST, Sega CD, FM Towns; Remastered: Pc, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Mac, iOS

Governor Elaine Marley

Elaine is the co-star of the Monkey Island Saga created by Lucas Arts. She can be considered a reference point for female characters of graphic adventures. She is the granddaughter of Governor Horatio Torquemada Marley and will in turn become governor of Mêlée Island, Booty Island and Plunder Island.

 

A reference point for female characters of graphic adventures

Over the course of the various chapters he proves to have an enterprising, strong and jaunty character. Having a passion for people, in  naive and clumsy, in The Secret of Monkey Island, she falls in love with Guybrush Threepwood, the protagonist, with whom she will have a discontinuous relationship in the following chapters. She unfortunately also wins the evil pirate's heart LeChuck, main villan of the series.

Cortana from the Halo saga

First appearance: Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

Platforms: Xbox, Pc, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Cortana and her pivotal role in the war against the Covenant

Although it is an artificial intelligence, it is a fundamental character in the history of Halo. He has played a crucial role in the human-covenant warfare, in particular as a partner of the Master Chief, whom he accompanies for the events of the first 4 Halo.

The AI ​​is based on the brain of Dr. Catherine Halsey, the scientist who took the Master Chief to planet Reach to train to become a soldier. Over the course of the saga she will be tied more and more to the Spartan, until she sacrifices herself to save him. She'll be back in Halo 5 later, but we don't want to spoil the surprise for you.

 

Since Halo on Windows 10

The character is so popular and loved by Micorsoft users that he has become theWindows 10 official voice assistant.

Madeleine from Celeste

First appearance: Light Blue (2018)

Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Pc, Nintendo Switch

Madeleine, the example of the human being who faces the evils of the world

celeste is a platform game created by the software house Matt Makes Games in which the player impersonates Madeleine in her climb to Mount Celeste in her attempt to overcome the depression that grips her and the anxiety of which she is prey. The title, winner of the award for the best independent video game during the The Games Awards of 2018, makes the player identify with the complex character of Madeleine, perfect example of a human being struggling with the evils that nowadays afflict more and more people all over the world.

 

Is accepting yourself more difficult than climbing a mountain?

The subtext with which it is impregnated celeste is summed up in the importance ofaccept yourself, even if it is this is a difficult and dangerous path.
The title of Matt Makes Games makes the player experience the path that Madeline he undertakes against his half torn by the anxieties and pain of not knowing who he is, through a gameplay that communicates the importance of becoming familiar with oneself and overcoming difficulties through attempts and reflections.

Undyne da Undertale

First appearance: Undertale (2015)

Platforms: Pc, Mac, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Undyne is a character from Undertale, the indie video game developed by Toby Fox. Like most of the characters in the video game it will turn out a friend or an enemy based on the run chosen.

 

The captain of the royal guards

This fish-woman, captain of the royal guards, is very close to the sense of honor and to his people and is a big hothead. Trained in combat from an early age, she deeply hates humans as she holds them responsible for captivity of monsters.

He chases our character all over Waterfall to try and take our soul. In case you have chosen the genocide run, get ready for one of the toughest battles in the game.

Zelda da The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild

First appearance: The Legend Of Zelda (1986)

Platforms: Nes, SNES, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Gamecube, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch

Is it possible to rewrite a historical figure?

The princess Zelda is one of the pivotal characters in the saga of The Legend Of Zelda and has gone through numerous stages re-writing itself from time to time based on the title.
The character of Zelda inside The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild however, it has a real edge over the iterations of the princess in previous chapters and is perhaps the best character ever to come out of the saga.

 

Princess in danger or in perennial struggle?

Within the new chapter of the saga of The Legend Of Zelda the princess from which the video game takes its name has a decidedly different aura from the one we usually associate it with.
The little princess is a character with gods tragic charms because the disaster the world is facing is also (and above all) its cause; for this reason, in an attempt to overturn the situation, the princess will find herself fighting evil in perennial solitude for over a hundred years. Our hero will find himself having to remember his mission only thanks to his bond with the princess, scattered in photographs to be recreated within the game settings.

Bayonetta from Bayonetta

First appearance: Bayonetta (2009)

Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Nintendo Switch

No fear of being provocative

The Witch Bayonetta he is one of the most powerful and dangerous figures in the world he lives in and is absolutely not afraid of how he may appear in the eyes of the player. The character of Bayonetta she is voluntarily provocative in all her poses and has no shame in being so. The character design revolves around the idea of to be able to sexualize the witch without making her lose an iota of her power, staying perfectly in tune with the atmosphere definitely over the top which characterizes the work of Platinum Games.

 

A strong, feminine character, the protagonist of a predominantly male gender

Bayonetta and the commonplace of the sexy witch that is repeated practically slavishly at every carnival and every Halloween party with 900% more strength. Bayonetta it is a cliché that comes to life and ends up embodying the intelligent woman, aware of herself and her possibilities without worrying about the consequences and the thoughts of others. The world needs more characters like her.

We conclude this list with a special mention.

First appearance: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2005)
Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PsVita

The Boss, Snake's mentor

The boss, the mentor of Snake in Metal Gear Solid 3.
A model soldier who comes to sacrifice himself for the good of his nation.

Sacrifice for a united world

To resolve a series of serious diplomatic situations between the United States and the Soviet Union, she becomes a scapegoat and passes herself off as a traitor, letting herself be killed by her pupil. Snake.
He puts his nation and the dream of a united world first, by sacrificing his own life and his honor.