For years, female protagonists in video games were rare. When they did appear, they were often side characters, damsels in distress, or background figures. Many existed to push the male hero’s story forward, rather than drive the narrative themselves. If a woman was playable, it was often as a secondary option, not the default.
That has changed. Over time, more female leads have taken centre stage. They’ve proven they can be just as capable, complex, and compelling as any male protagonist. Some started in limited roles but grew into something more, while others challenged expectations right from the start. They led franchises, redefined genres, and broke barriers in an industry that wasn’t always built for them.
This list highlights ten female protagonists, in no particular order, who left a lasting impact on gaming. But this is far from a complete list—so many more female protagonists have shaped gaming in incredible ways. Whether they’re warriors, survivors, or explorers, each of them has helped push the industry forward and prove that video games are better when everyone gets to be the hero.
Samus Aran – The First Iconic Female Lead
When Metroid launched in 1986, most gamers assumed the armored bounty hunter they were controlling was just another male action hero. Then the credits rolled, and Samus removed her helmet, revealing she was a woman the entire time.
At the time, female protagonists were nearly nonexistent in gaming, especially in action-heavy roles. Samus wasn’t just a groundbreaking character—she was a statement.
Unlike many early female leads, Samus wasn’t defined by romance, vulnerability, or supporting others. She was a lone warrior, navigating hostile alien landscapes, taking down monstrous enemies, and battling the terrifying Mother Brain. Super Metroid (1994) solidified her as one of gaming’s greatest protagonists, and Metroid Prime (2002) successfully brought her into 3D without sacrificing her strength and independence.
However, Metroid: Other M (2010) was a misstep. It portrayed Samus as emotionally dependent on her commanding officer, a shift that felt completely at odds with her character. Thankfully, Metroid Dread (2021) restored her to her roots. It showed her as a silent, relentless hunter capable of outmaneuvering the deadly E.M.M.I. robots.
Samus wasn’t just ahead of her time—she remains one of gaming’s most respected and enduring female protagonists today.
Ellie – The Emotional Depth of a Hero
Ellie isn’t your typical action hero. She’s not a super-soldier, a chosen warrior, or an unstoppable force. She’s a survivor. First introduced in The Last of Us (2013), Ellie started as Joel’s companion, but it didn’t take long for her to become the heart of the game. Her resilience, humour, and emotional depth made her feel real in a way that few video game characters do.
She wasn’t just there to assist Joel—she was learning, adapting, and proving she could hold her own in a world that didn’t care if she survived or not. By The Last of Us Part II (2020), Ellie was no longer the supporting character—she was the lead. Her story became even more complex, painful, and morally challenging. Fueled by grief and revenge, she wasn’t on a noble quest—she was making choices that would break her, and us, in the process.
What makes Ellie such a standout protagonist isn’t just her strength—it’s her flaws, vulnerabilities, and the consequences of her actions. She’s not written to be perfect or universally likable, and that’s what makes her feel so human.
Whether you agree with her choices or not, one thing is undeniable—Ellie is one of gaming’s most layered and emotionally raw protagonists.
Lara Croft – Gaming’s First Action Heroine
Lara Croft didn’t just become a female lead in gaming—she became one of gaming’s most recognizable icons. When Tomb Raider launched in 1996, Lara was one of the first women to carry a major action-adventure game. Confident, skilled, and fearless, she explored ancient tombs, battled enemies, and took on dangerous puzzles with the ease of an action movie star.
However, her early design leaned too much on sex appeal, making Lara more of a marketing icon than a fully developed character. Over time, though, gaming evolved, and so did she. The Tomb Raider reboot (2013) reintroduced Lara as a more grounded, vulnerable, and complex character. Instead of a seasoned explorer, she was a survivor, forced to adapt and fight through sheer determination. This shift gave her more depth, making her more relatable and her journey more personal.
Lara’s evolution mirrors how gaming itself changed—from over-sexualized icon to a fully realized character.
Jill Valentine – The Survivor Who Redefined Horror
Jill Valentine wasn’t just another action hero—she was one of the first female leads in survival horror. In Resident Evil (1996), Jill was one of two playable characters. Unlike many female options at the time, she wasn’t just an easier or weaker choice. She was every bit as skilled and resourceful as her male counterpart, Chris Redfield.
Then Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) made her the star. This time, Jill wasn’t just surviving—she was fighting to escape Raccoon City while being relentlessly hunted by Nemesis. The Resident Evil 3 remake (2020) took things further, portraying Jill as a fearless, battle-hardened survivor. No longer just an action-horror character, she became one of gaming’s most capable and iconic protagonists.
Jill set a precedent for female leads in horror, paving the way for Claire Redfield, Ellie, and even modern horror heroines like Dani from Dead Island 2.
Princess Peach – The Damsel Turned Hero
For years, Peach was the classic damsel in distress. If you played Super Mario Bros. (1985), you already know the story—Bowser kidnaps her, Mario fights his way through castles, and she thanks him at the end. That was her entire role.
She had brief moments of agency—like sending hints in Super Mario Bros. 3—but she was mostly a passive character. That started to change in Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), where Peach was a playable character with her unique floating ability.
Her biggest shift came in Super Princess Peach (2005), where she was the one saving Mario and Luigi for once. Since then, Nintendo has let her take on bigger roles, from Super Mario 3D World (2013) to Princess Peach: Showtime! (2024), giving her more chances to step out of the castle and into the action.
Her evolution extended beyond gaming. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) reintroduced Peach as a strong, capable leader, teaching Mario how to survive in the Mushroom Kingdom and taking charge of her people. She wasn’t just waiting to be saved—she was leading the fight.
Peach’s transformation reflects how gaming itself has changed. She went from a passive damsel to a hero in her own right, proving that even legacy characters can evolve.
Chell – The Silent Genius
Chell is unlike most female protagonists on this list. She doesn’t speak, she doesn’t have a deep backstory, and she doesn’t wield weapons. Yet, she’s one of gaming’s most recognizable heroines, proving that strength comes in many forms.
In Portal (2007), Chell wakes up in the Aperture Science facility and is forced to navigate a series of deadly tests created by the AI antagonist, GLaDOS. Armed with only the Portal Gun, she doesn’t fight her way through—she outsmarts the system, using logic, creativity, and persistence to escape. This made her stand out in an era dominated by action-driven heroes.
Her return in Portal 2 (2011) reinforced her resilience. She remains silent, but her actions speak louder than words. She survives GLaDOS’s psychological torment, navigates increasingly complex puzzles, and ultimately outwits the AI once again.
Chell’s impact goes beyond her own story. Portal redefined puzzle games and introduced one of gaming’s most beloved narratives. And while she never says a word, her intelligence, determination, and refusal to give up make her one of gaming’s most iconic female leads.
Aloy – The Face of Modern Action RPGs
Aloy wasn’t just another action RPG protagonist—she became the face of PlayStation’s modern era. Introduced in Horizon Zero Dawn (2017), Aloy stood out immediately. She wasn’t a brooding anti-hero or a soldier seeking vengeance—she was a hunter, a survivor, and a seeker of knowledge. Raised as an outcast in a world overrun by robotic creatures, Aloy’s story was about more than just survival—it was about uncovering the past and defining her own future.
Unlike many action game leads, Aloy’s strength wasn’t just about combat—it was about curiosity, problem-solving, and determination. She was just as much a scientist as she was a warrior, and that set her apart from the usual action heroes.
Horizon Forbidden West (2022) expanded her story, showing her not just as a skilled fighter but as a leader, a strategist, and someone who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. She’s not defined by romance, revenge, or destiny—she’s defined by her relentless pursuit of the truth.
Aloy’s success proved that a female protagonist could headline a major open-world RPG and be just as compelling as any male counterpart. She’s not just a strong character—she’s one of the strongest modern examples of a well-rounded and deeply developed female lead.
2B – The Complex Warrior
2B might look like a sleek, stylish android at first glance, but beneath the blindfold and combat skills, she’s one of gaming’s most complex and tragic protagonists. Introduced in NieR: Automata (2017), 2B is a combat android created to eliminate machine threats on Earth. At first, she appears cold, emotionless, and focused solely on her mission. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there’s far more to her than meets the eye.
Unlike many action-heavy female leads, 2B’s story isn’t just about physical strength. Her journey is deeply tied to themes of identity, free will, and existential purpose. She follows orders, but there’s a quiet tension in her actions—a sense that she’s aware of something she isn’t supposed to acknowledge. Her dynamic with 9S, her companion, adds another layer of depth, as their relationship is built on trust, secrecy, and an inevitable cycle of loss.
Her design sparked discussions—while undeniably stylish, some debated whether it was overly sexualized. But what truly defines 2B isn’t her appearance—it’s the weight of the story she carries. By the time NieR: Automata reaches its multiple endings, 2B is more than just a combat android—she’s a character who lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.
Her journey isn’t about being the strongest—it’s about understanding what it means to exist, to fight, and to lose. In a genre filled with warriors, 2B stands apart as a character shaped by tragedy, duty, and the search for meaning.
Kassandra – Assassin’s Creed’s True Star
When Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018) gave players the choice between Kassandra and Alexios, it quickly became clear—Kassandra was the real star of the game. Unlike past Assassin’s Creed leads, Kassandra wasn’t a shadowy figure operating from the rooftops—she was a Spartan warrior, a mercenary, and a survivor. She fought not because of fate or destiny, but because she had to. Unlike many of the series’ previous protagonists, she wasn’t bound by duty—she carved her own path.
Kassandra’s portrayal was a major shift for the franchise. She was funny, charismatic, and ruthless when needed, making her one of the most well-rounded protagonists the series had ever seen. Her dialogue choices gave her a sharp wit and emotional depth, while her physical presence made her just as believable in a fight as any male counterpart.
Ubisoft later confirmed that she was the canon protagonist, proving what many already knew—she was always meant to be the lead. Her impact went beyond just Odyssey, with her character later appearing in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s DLC, further cementing her as an essential part of the series’ lore.
Kassandra’s success wasn’t just a win for Assassin’s Creed—it was proof that a female protagonist could dominate one of gaming’s biggest franchises. She didn’t just hold her own—she stole the show.
Senua – Breaking Barriers in Storytelling
Senua isn’t just a warrior—she’s one of the most emotionally raw and psychologically complex protagonists in gaming. Introduced in Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (2017), Senua embarks on a journey through a nightmarish vision of Norse mythology, fighting her way through terrifying landscapes and creatures. But her greatest battle isn’t with the enemies she faces—it’s with her own mind.
Unlike traditional action heroes, Senua isn’t fearless or invincible. She constantly struggles with hallucinations, voices, and self-doubt, yet she pushes forward, determined to rescue the soul of her lost lover. Developer Ninja Theory worked closely with neuroscientists and people with lived experience of psychosis to portray her condition authentically, making her one of the first major gaming protagonists whose mental health was a core part of the narrative rather than just a plot device.
Her journey is haunting, gripping, and unlike anything gaming had done before. Instead of giving her an overpowered arsenal, Hellblade makes every encounter feel desperate—each fight is a struggle, each moment of peace is fleeting. Her world is twisted by her perception, making you question what’s real and what’s part of her illness.
With Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (2024) on the horizon, her story is far from over. Senua isn’t just a strong female lead—she’s one of gaming’s most unique and deeply human protagonists. Her story proves that strength isn’t just about combat—it’s about resilience, perseverance, and facing your inner demons.
Breaking Barriers, Shaping Stories
Female protagonists in gaming have come a long way. They were once stuck in damsel-in-distress roles or pushed to the sidelines as secondary characters. Now, they’re leading franchises, redefining genres, and proving they can carry stories just as powerfully as any male protagonist. Every character on this list helped break those barriers, showing that strength in gaming isn’t just about combat or physical power—it’s about resilience, intelligence, and emotional depth.
But there’s still work to do. Female leads are more common now than they were decades ago, but they still face stereotypes, underrepresentation in certain genres, and a lack of diversity in character design and storytelling. It’s not just about having more women in games—it’s about making sure they’re written with the same depth, complexity, and variety as their male counterparts.
Gaming is at its best when it embraces different voices and perspectives. These ten characters prove that when female protagonists step into the spotlight, they don’t just belong—they stand out, leaving a lasting mark on the industry.
As gaming continues to evolve, one thing is certain—women aren’t just part of the story; they’re leading it. What do you think? These are just ten of the many incredible female protagonists who have shaped gaming. Who else do you think deserves recognition? Share your favorites in the comments!
