Female protagonists with character

[cj_iwakura]

This is written in response to an article from The Escapist, so you might want to read it first to get an understanding of what this is a counterpoint to.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_279/8296-Wussy-RPG-Girls

In the JRPG, you have girls like Colette(Tales of Symphonia); the helpless, magic-using, shy female protagonist who's there for little else but support and an easily accessible love interest.

In the WRPG, female protagonists tend to have something more of a spine, but attire consisting of chainmail swimwear and the like. If they're lucky.

The genre is full of these tropes, but there are exceptions.

Some RPGs(and games in general) do have female characters who go against this age-old trope. Here's a few of them, from both sides of the globe.

It also helps that most of them have a knack for fashion that wouldn't get them arrested in public.

Virginia Maxwell - Wild Arms 3


The protagonist of the first PS2 entry in the series. Wild Arms' western-esque RPG setting has always been a nice change from the norm, and 3's protagonist is no exception.

Virginia isn't afraid to take matters into her own hands when things go sour, or bust some caps in bad guys who have it coming.

Chris Lightfellow - Suikoden III

Notable for being a female knight who actually dresses like one. Chris is steadfast, loyal, and unwavering in her principles. Those who cross her get cut down, regardless of age or race.

Argilla - Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2

The Megami Tensei series is known for having unique female protagonists, and DDS is among the highlights. Though prone to emotional outbursts, Argilla won't stand for injustice, and will destroy and/or devour those unfortunate enough to get in her way.
(The controversial appearance of her devil form deserves a mention, but you can't really hold that against her.)

Faith - Mirror's Edge

Our first western representative, Mirror's Edge is a first person action/adventure parkour simulator of sorts. The protagonist, Faith, is a runner; couriers who carry dangerous and unwanted information in a society whre the government doesn't want people to know the truth.

Who needs magic or weapons? Faith is entirely capable of finishing the game using just her own two hands.

Jade - Beyond Good and Evil

Although I've never played the game in its entirety, I'd be remiss if I didn't give Jade a mention. From what I've played of it, Jade is somewhat like Mirror Edge's Faith. A reporter intent on uncovering the truth that those in power don't want revealed.

Dreamfall - The Longest Journey

Zoë and April Ryan are both such interesting protagonists that they both get a mention. The fact that they're both from a modern setting sets them apart, as it's a woefully underused time frame in RPGs. April was introduced in Dreamfall's precursor, The Longest Journey, while Zoë is tasked with finding April in the sequel, guided by only four words: "Find her. Save her."


I'm certain I could think of many others, but these are among the key examples which show that there's more to female protagonists than casting spells, being subject to ridiculous outfits, and acting as love interests.

 

[NeutralDrow]

...shouldn't this be in Gaming Discussion?

I actually disagree quite a bit on Colette.

In the JRPG, you have girls like Colette(Tales of Symphonia); the helpless, magic-using, shy female protagonist who's there for little else but support and an easily accessible love interest.

That's not what she's there for at all. She's a central character, the only one besides the main protagonist you can say the plot actually revolves around. She certainly has most of the qualities the article lists and derides, especially gentleness and a general self-sacrificing nature...and part of the point of the story is just how badly those qualities (which were cultivated in her) screw her over. The psychological state she's in to maintain that personality harms her ability to relate to other people, and leads very close to her death. Her role as a love interest is minor, and she can easily be replaced by Sheena or Presea (or Zelos, if you're a yaoi fan). Hell, she's not even shy. She's outgoing and friendly to an actual fault.

Not getting into the gameplay aspect. She can use magic, but only on the jack-of-all-trades level. She's actually much better in close-to-mid range combat.

Probably wouldn't care to make an issue of it if she wasn't the one of the least appropriate examples available. Most of her character is a giant neon sign saying "this stereotype is harmful," and she's far from the only character (male or female) in the game who grows and matures as a result of outside help.

Still, if you want something on-topic...

Raine Sage, same game. Intelligent, pragmatic, worldly, and serves as not only a mother/older sister figure (who basically raised herself and her little brother singlehanded after being abandoned), but as a teacher and scientist in her own right. Has some psychological issues (like pretty much all of the cast), but she's actually over most of them. Incredibly important gameplay-wise not just as the primary healing/support character, but the main user of offensive light magic, and surprisingly good with her staff, as well.