Every year, gamers are introduced to a plethora ofgreat video game characters, with the likes ofDeath Stranding’s Cliff Unger andSekiro’s Owl/Father standing out this year. However, 2019 has also been a great year for female characters, having such standouts asControl’s Jesse Faden andThe Outer Worlds' Parvati Holcomb.
As such, it stands to reason that these characters find themselves recognized for their role in game this year, as they appear in big and small games and a range of genres from looter shooter tohorror games. With this in mind, here are the best 15 female video game characters of 2019.
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Amara (Borderlands 3)
EveryBorderlandsgame, with the exception ofThe Pre-Sequel,has asiren class: Lilith, Maya, and Amara. And while these are always intriguing characters of the bunch, they are so for different reasons. Lilith is known for her leadership capabilities, Maya for her wisdom and perhaps even pseudo-relationship with Krieg, and Amara for being the absolute toughest of the bunch. With 6 arms, Amara cleaves her opponents, enough to earn the reputable nickname, “The Tiger.”
Amicia De Rune (Plague Tale)
APlague Tale: Innocenceis a surprising horror title in many ways. Not only does it come from Asobo Studios, which mostly developsmovie-to-video-game adaptationssuch asWALL-EandToy Story 3,but it captures the complex protagonists, Amicia de Rune and her brother Hugo, in a truly through way. Amicia can be described as progressive, assertive, adventurous, but comes complete with a truly-formed personality complete with egocentrism and an inability to connect or share easily with others. This makes the their journey through 14th century France all the more realistic and emotional.
Carmina Rye (Far Cry New Dawn)
WhenFar Cry New Dawnplayers met Carmina Rye, it was an instant callback toFar Cry 5’s Nick Rye. She was born the day the bombs dropped, so it stands to reason she would return, and like her father, she brings a ton of fervor with her. Traces of the Deputy, her father, and her mother can all be seen in Carmina, so along with the intriguing bunker child background, it makesCarmina Rye stand out inFar Cry New Dawn.
Cere (Jedi Fallen Order)
Cere givesStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderand general Star Wars fans alike an in-depth look into a Jedi broken by the Purge. Her entire character arc centers around dealing with the fallout ofOrder 66and coming to terms with how she failed her Padawan. As such, she has previously tapped into the Dark Side of the Force, cutting herself off from the Force later to prevent herself from being lost the Dark Side. Her next encounter with it is much more heartfelt, as she is being seduced by a Sith Lord at the same time, but she manages to redeem herself and become a true Jedi Master.
Claire Redfield (Resident Evil 2)
Resident Evil 2 Remakedid a lot to improve upon the original, bringing Claire Redfield to life in a new way. Despite a few additions to the game, it remains the same story and Claire remains the same powerhouse as before.RE2is just the start of her search for her brother, but what she’s willing to do to find him, to survive theRacoon City incident, and everything else involved with her character development make her a stand out in the franchise.
Edelgard (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)
Fire Emblem: Three Houses' Edelgard is incredibly detailed, from her royalty in the Adestrian Empire, her office academy life, and the way she carries her to her roles as a natural leader and excellent student. She’s modest and formal, sometimes breaking to relax, and is a general private person. All of this and more humanizes her like her nickname, El, and her dancing abilities. She’s also afraid of rats and cannot swim, making her an all around complex and lovable character.
Farah Karim (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare)
Farah’s life and personality is one shaped by war, as when she was roughly 7 years old, her mother was crushed by a Russian artillery strike and her father was murdered by a Russian soldier. She would escape this incident, growing up to become a freedom fighter. She’d go on to be a founding member of the Urzikstan Libertation Force, where she believes that, “Will is the most important weapon.” She doesn’t seek an aggressive war, but to simply protect the land that is her’s and her peoples’s.
Fragile (Death Stranding)
When she was first revealed at E3 2018, Fragile caught the eye of manyDeath Strandingfans. They come to learn in the game that she is controlled and intelligent, playing a role in helping Sam learn to deal with BTs. HerDOOMS extinction factoris higher than Sam’s, and it allows her to teleport throughout the world by moving through her Beach, though she must use this cautiously. She even coins an interesting proverb befitting the world ofDeath Stranding: “A cryptobiote a day keeps the timefall away.”
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Jesse Faden (Control)
Jesse Faden, as the new director of the Federal Bureau of Control, must investigate the Oldest House following an invasion by the Hiss. Faden is thrust into the chaos and must fight back the Hiss using a ton ofparanatural abilitiesthat make her character a joy to play. Her troubled past, coupled with the events that surround her, make Jesse Faden’s story inControlone that stands out amidst other similar titles.
Kait Diaz (Gears 5)
Kait may not be new to the gaming world in 2019, butGears 5took her to new heights. It is very much a journey of self-discovery for Kait, as she tries to understand her role in the current world order and her past connection with the Swarm. This grows more and more complicated throughout the story, as she faces off with a personal enemy. This passing of the torch, from Marcus and JD Fenix to Kait Diaz, is likely one that will determinethe outcome ofGears 6– whenever it releases.
