Top 10 Successful Video Games with Female Leads

For those of us who want something truly deranged, this retelling of Wonderland is a must. Alice now resides in an asylum after the death of her family. Ten years pass before the White Rabbit summons her back to Wonderland, but everything is completely out of whack -- more so than usual. The world of cute oddities has become a horrific lullaby. It’s not just the land, but its inhabitants who look straight out of a nightmare while Alice, who has had a gothic makeover, wields a knife as a weapon and is often splattered in blood.

#9: “Life Is Strange” (2015)

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What would you do if you could rewind time. It’s a shocking discovery Maxine Caulfield makes about herself, and she uses her power to save her old friend, Chloe. However, like most time travel stories, playing with time is not that simple. We feel for Max because of the decisions she has to make in regards to her abilities, especially since many of her struggles are so relatable. High school bullying, old friendships, love, tragedy, and the heartbreaking realization that time isn’t something you can approach so lightly.

#8: “Resident Evil” (1996-)

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There are quite a few zombie killing ladies in this franchise... and then there’s, ugh, Ashley. Can we talk about Ada instead? In the early days, the series would focus on a male and female duo, each with their own separate campaign that added to the overall story. There aren’t too many characters who had a solo adventure, which is why the one and only Jill Sandwich stands out among the rest. Before the brainwashing and blonde hair, she was the first character to star in her own solo adventure. Take that, Nemesis.

#7: “Bayonetta” (2009-)

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Is there anyone as stylish as Bayonetta? An Umbran Witch who’s as sassy as she is sexy, she’s a woman who relishes in her sex appeal as she fires bullets from her heels. To call the Bayonetta series an over-the-top roller coaster ride would be an understatement, but sometimes, a girl just wants to have some outrageous fun. The action, the plot, the creatures, everything is absolutely bonkers, right down to the tips of Bayonetta’s monstrous hair. But hey, you gotta respect a lady who takes pleasure in torturing her opponents and makes sure that they have an exquisite demise

#6: “The Longest Journey” (1999-)

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The journey may be long, but it’s definitely a memorable experience. This series is equal parts compelling storytelling and well-rounded characters, especially the flagship character of the series, April Ryan. As a shifter, April can move between two worlds: the industrial Stark, and the magical Arcadia. At the young age of 18, April’s tasked with restoring the balance between the worlds, which leads us on a fantastical adventure that revolves around incredible female leads, whether it’s April -- who always makes an appearance in the games -- or the series’ other female protagonist, Zoe Castillo.

#5: “Beyond Good & Evil” (2003)

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Are we EVER going to get a sequel to this game? If you haven’t been on the hype train since Ubisoft made that announcement in 2008, let’s get you up to speed. The game stars photographer and martial artist, Jade, who finds herself neck deep in a planet-wide alien conspiracy. This leads to some entertaining gameplay complete with puzzles, photography, and plenty of action, but honestly, it’s the story and its characters that make this game a gem. Jade is a fun and spunky lead who’ s surrounded by a colorful cast, including an uncle who is quite boarish... literally.

Chell may be silent, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t capable. Even GLaDOS recognizes her as a threat, though her words aren’t the most generous. The series begins with the player controlling Chell, who wakes up in an unknown place and is instructed to perform a couple of tests. Soon, you discover a curious little device that shoots portals onto most surfaces. What starts out as a puzzle platformer turns into a rather unique gaming experience as you make friends with inanimate objects and meet GLaDOS, who is kind enough to guide you around... though she probably shouldn’t be trusted until she’s put into a potato.

#3: “Final Fantasy” (1987-)

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While the series has a history of striking, male leads, the leading ladies are just as impressive as the spiky haired, sword carrying protagonists. If you’re an old school gamer, you probably know the name Terra Branford, who is probably the strongest magic user in the entire franchise. Playstation 2 owners would later become acquainted with Yuna, who went on to star in her own game with the thief, Rikku, and the warrior, Paine. As for the newer generation of gamers, they have the cunning and heroic Lightning, armed with that dangerous sword and cold demeanor

#2: “Tomb Raider” (1996-)

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There’s no woman quite like Lara Croft, the beautiful, athletic, badass lead of this adventurous franchise. There’s no task too great for her, and she takes them on with a confident smirk on her face. What we love about Lara is that she usually goes on these quests because she wants to -- money and/or saving the day is just an added bonus. With her reimagining in 2013, we got a new kind of story, one that focused on a survivor who pushes herself to the limit, only to surpass it with those two iconic guns blazing. Before we get to our number one pick, let’s check out these honorable mentions: “Perfect Dark” (2000-05) “The Walking Dead: Season Two” (2013-14) “Mirror’s Edge” (2008-) “Ms. Pac-Man” (1982) “Shantae” (2002-)