Now, I would like to start this list off with a little explanation of my definition of “greatest.” By greatest, I do not mean the most popular, or even the most badass. I am speaking simply about the “character” of the character. Is she a stereotypical female archer with healing abilities, but useless in all other ways (e.g. Miranda from Legend of Dragoon)? Is she a basically a male character with boobs (e.g. Lara Croft from Tomb Raider)? Does she always need to be rescued (e.g. Princess Peach/Toadstool)?

To me, the greatest were the oddballs. The memorable and unique characters. The non-archetypes.

You’d better get ready!

5. Rose from Legend of Dragoon

Imagine Piccolo as a hot chick with long dark hair, glowering at you from her position posted up against the wall – that’s Rose.

Rose is the main character, Dart’s, mentor. She fights with a rapier, which is a nice step up from the traditional magic staff or bow that most females come equipped with in RPGs (Meru, another female in the game, has an awesome giant mallet). She could easily fall under the brooding, deadly femme fatale stereotype, and for most of the game she certainly seems to.

Then, in a wonderful plot twist, the ending reveals her tender, loving side.

The understanding that a woman can be both feminine and tough, and that these two words are not mutually exclusive, is something that many video game developers don’t seem to have. Thanks Rose, show off that survival instinct!

4. Nina Williams

Such a cool character from a fighting game that they gave her her own (horrible, horrible) game! I mean, what other character from a fighting game, other than the main male character (lookin’ at you, Liu Kang), gets a spin-off adventure game? I’m sure there must be an example somewhere, but I sure can’t think of it!

And Nina did deserve a (much better) game of her own. She is the stereotypical female assassin; sexy and cold. But she is also cocky and has such a twisted relationship with her sister that when her memories returned (she had amnesia for a bit) her first act was to b****-slap Anna at their father’s grave.

What is the back story there?

Was Nina really such an amazing fighter that they had to freeze her so they could steal her ovaries to make boxers?

So many questions.

None of which were answered in that horrible, horrible action game of hers. I could practically feel her clunky heels as I ran. Ick. Let’s move on.

3. Shale from Dragon Age

To be honest, I think all of the main female characters in this game – Leliana, Morrigan, and Wynne – are great characters. Dragon Age did a good job ignoring or poking fun at stereotypes. But the coolest broken stereotype of all was that big, giant rock monsters had to be male.

Shale looks like a large bald man with muscles made of rock. It is not until you discover her origin at the end of her quest that you discover her beginnings as a female dwarf.

But, even before that, evidence of her femininity was glimpsed during the party banter when Shale and Leliana discussed shoes, with Shale eventually admitting that she would like red ones and only if they didn’t make her ankles look fat.

2. Bayonetta

Now, to be honest, I only played the demo of Bayonetta. I just couldn’t really get into it. I couldn’t relate to Bayonetta because she had ugly hair and wore glasses. I also don’t usually like games with shooting, so that was another turn off. However, my guy friends gushed about the game enough that I went and researched it a bit.

Although it is not the game for me, you really have to admire the studio for making such a quirky main character whose only real competition is another female character.

The game is still new enough that I can’t say too much without spoiling the twists for some people, so all I’ll say is: this chick is weird and she will blast you to hell with her gun-shoes. Beat that, Dixie Kong!

1. Chun Li

Suprised? You shouldn’t be. She always makes it on lists of female videogame characters. And you know why? Because she is an icon. The Wonder Woman of videogames. Chun Li not only kicks ass, she proves that women can be sexy no matter how huge their thighs are (I’m looking at you, GQ magazine)! She also has some great stories. The common denominator is that she is a strong and intelligent career woman who happens to be able to destroy your face with super-fast lightening kicks.

My kinda girl 🙂