Following the celebration of International Women’s Day, Sony has released a list detailing the 25 greatest heroines seen on PlayStation consoles. Sony has a rich history of games and franchises spanning 32 years in the gaming industry. Whether it’s the adventurous Nathan Drake or god-slaying Kratos, PlayStation harbors some of the most beloved protagonists of all time. Many of these protagonists have also been compelling female characters, able to navigate deadly tombs, survive post-apocalyptic societies, and fight off robotic creatures that threaten the world.
One of the first of these brave heroines to capture the hearts of the masses was none other than the iconic Lara Croft in the acclaimed Tomb Raider series. Her wit, combat prowess, and ability to seemingly survive any ancient trap cemented her place as one of the most iconic gaming characters from the 90s, with new Tomb Raider games still being revealed to this day. This blueprint paved the way for Sony to create many more female leads throughout the years, with acclaimed titles such as the Horizon series and The Last of Us Part 2 being led by female protagonists
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Sony Lists the 25 Greatest Heroines Seen On PlayStation
- Aloy (Horizon Series)
- Angrboda (God of War)
- Atsu (Ghost of Yotei)
- Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross (Uncharted)
- Chun-Li (Street Fighter)
- Ellie Williams (The Last of Us)
- Eve (Stellar Blade)
- Jill Valentine (Resident Evil)
- Kena (Kena Series)
- Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
- Maelle (Clair Obscur Expedition 33)
- Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster (Split Fiction)
- Rivet (Rachet & Clank)
- Sam Giddings (Until Dawn)
- Selene Vassos (Returnal)
- Shimizu Hinako (Silent Hill)
- Taka Murayama (Rise of the Ronin)
- Tifa Lockhart and Aerith Gainsborough (Final Fantasy)
- The Boss (Metal Gear)
- Rainy (Death Stranding)
Sony’s list was split into five separate categories, each focusing on a different aspect of what makes a great protagonist. Sam Giddings and Jill Valentine were labeled heroines of survival thanks to their valiant efforts in the face of unthinkable horrors, while characters such as Chun-Li and Atsu were named ready to rumble due to their mastery of combat. The list has great diversity, made up of iconic characters who span decades, along with new characters such as Silent Hill‘s well-received new protagonist. Each group showcases different characteristics of what can make a hero, with PlayStation’s many heroines inspiring the public in various ways over the years.
While being a great list overall, some fans have labeled the “On PlayStation” title a sneaky way to include non-exclusive characters on the list. It has raised larger questions of what makes a great protagonist in general, and sparked debate within the community over who should have been included. Some have expressed disappointment at the absence of fan-favorite character Kat from Gravity Rush, although the general perception is that Sony’s list is largely great. After Claire Redfield’s absence from the new Resident Evil, others in the online space have expressed disappointment that she is also absent from this list, being arguably more popular than Jill Valentine.
With female-focused titles such as The Last of Us Part 2 having impressive sales milestones, and Sony’s list receiving a positive response, it seems these heroines are getting the recognition they deserve. As many more games are released, PlayStation or not, there is bound to be a huge array of compelling female protagonists leading the path forward.
