Female heroes in video games are still a rarity. However, things have improved since the ’80s and ’90s, but there are still more men than women in games. The genre where female characters seem to be the strongest is RPGs, especially fantasy ones.
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The easy answer as to why is because a lot of RPGs offer character customization, including gender. Silent protagonists won’t do on this list though. Every entry had to allow gamers to not only play as these women, but they also had to speak. It would be hard to discuss a character if they didn’t have character, right? From main heroines to supporting roles, these girls have it all.
Note:Sci-fi games such asMass EffectandMetroid Primehave been excluded since they are separate from the fantasy genre.
Updated on June 21, 2025 by Mark Sammut:2021 featured astrong roster of female characters, some of which rank among the best of all time. The fantasy genre provides an escape to alternate worlds, timelines, and struggles; they are often power fantasies that can touch upon relatable issues that hold significance to the real world. Some of these stories are told from the perspective of a female lead, and this article has been expanded to include a few more of thebest fantasy games with women protagonists.
13Zelda (Hyrule Warriors – 78)
Zelda is pretty much the damsel in distress in most games taking place inThe Legend of Zeldaseries. Very few of them have her playable andHyrule Warriorsis the biggest standout. It’s not only her though but a bunch of female warriors as well, including alternate versions of her, like Tetra, Linkle, Impa, and even Midna just to name a few. It’s about time the women of Hyrule got something.
12Yuna (Final Fantasy 10-2 – 85)
There are higherFinal Fantasygameson this list. For example, on all platforms,Final Fantasy 9is the highest-rated at 94. This game’s predecessor is at a 92. Why the sequel was chosen was because it exemplifies the idea of this list highlighting awesome female heroes.
InFinal Fantasy 10-2, Yuna is now the main star along with her friends Rikku and Paine. The character goes in an unexpected direction following the end of the first game, although it is nice to witness a more carefree version of Yuna.
11Shantae (Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse – 86)
TheShantaegames are Metroidvanias. They all star the titular Shantae in high seas adventures hopping across islands, exploring ruins, and fighting pirates. They are beyond charming and Shantae herself is just a cool heroine. Among the many games out there,this Switch portof her second adventure is the highest rated of the bunch.
10Shionne (Tales Of Arise – 87)
Tales of Arisefeatures dual protagonists in Alphen and Shionne, andthey work incredibly well together both narratively and mechanically. The JRPG is set within a world defined by oppression, with the more powerful and advanced Rena oppressing Dahna’s civilians. The Dahnan Alphen winds up teaming up with the Renan Shionne, a noblewoman who wishes to change her regime.
Shionne is a sympathetic character driven by a sense of justice. She is also an isolated figure due to a curse that causes her to hurt anyone she touches. Shionne and Alphen help each other grow as people, becoming whole in the process.
9Kassandra (Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – 87)
Assassin’s Creed Odysseywas the first game in the series to feature an optional gender for the hero: Kassandra or her brother Alexios.
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Of the two, fans seemed to have clung better to the femme fatale as her voice acting had more energy behind it. This trend is continuing withAssassin’s Creed Valhallabut with a twist. Players can now swap genders at will. This can all be attributed to Kassandra’s strong and popular entry into the franchise.
8Rivet (Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – 88)
Introduced inRift Apart, Rivet serves as a dual protagonist with Ratchet, receiving roughly the same amount of gameplay sections as the franchise’s staple protagonist. As a character, Rivet is likable, has an interesting past that defines her personality, and complements Ratchet and Clank quite well. She is also a whole lot of fun to control, something that extends to pretty much every character in theRatchet & Clankgame.
It remains to be seen whether Rivet remains a significant part of Insomniac’s series moving forward; however, considering the initial impression she made, it would be shocking if the lombax doesn’t make a comeback in the future.
7The Inquisitor (Dragon Age: Inquisition – 89)
The firstDragon Agegame is at a 91. Players can choose to be a woman in that game as well, but the hero, no matter the gender, is always silent. That’s why the third game,Dragon Age: Inquisition, has been chosen as The Inquisitor actually has more input into the story. Both sexes offer powerful performances, but it’s hard not to side with the female version.
6Jade (Dragon Quest 11 – 91)
Of the colorful cast of female heroines in the party, Jade sticks out as the strongest. As the Luminary’s somewhat adopted sister, she also has a big stake in the story. That sort of sells out the other characters because everyone has an equal footing in the plot. That’s what makes the narrative so beloved inDragon Quest 11even if it is a little long.
5Lucina (Fire Emblem Awakening – 92)
Fire Emblem Awakeningwas the first time players could choose a gender for their player character in the West. While either version of Robin has more input into the story than past tactician roles and this makes them a compelling character, Lucina is the real star of this game. She even outshines her father, Crom. Lucina is also a time baby and that’s pretty cool.
4Bayonetta (Bayonetta 2 – 92)
Bayonetta 2was almost excluded from this list since it does technically take place on Earth, however, it qualifies due to having many fantastical touches and largely taking place in a fictional location. Bayonetta is an Umbra Witch known for wrecking hordes of Angels of Paradiso, and she does it all with style and grace.
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In the Nintendo exclusive sequel, Bayonetta heads to the Gates of Hell to get Jeanne out of trouble, and the journey comes packed with brilliant action sequences, epic boss fights, and great music. Bayonetta is a delightful character, one that exudes confidence from every fiber of her being.
