People tend to put on a brave face when it comes to the horror genre. But you can see them get nervous when scares and odd creatures start appearing. Then, they are not as courageous as they thought they were. Yet, they keep on going because they get invested in the protagonists, especially in horror video games.
In recent years, horror games have evolved so much that we’ve seen many characters from different backgrounds come into our world. This includes females in horror games as well. There is something comforting in the fact that game devs have given ladies a chance to show how amazing and badass they truly are.
In fact, when it comes to horror games, women take first place, outshining men. Of course, we would still like to see more leading ladies in video games, but something tells us that the future is bright for females. After all, the term “Scream Queen” hasn’t been coined just for the fun of it.
In this article, we’ve made a list of females in horror games to pay tribute to the ladies that deserve a franchise of their own. While some of these girls may show signs of fear at times (who wouldn’t?), they also show toughness and resilience. So, turn on your computers and watch the trailers for the following games.
Ellie (The Last of Us: Left Behind)
It would be wrong not to start our list of females in horror games with this lovable, rash, impulsive, foul-mouthed, and temperamental lady. Anyone who has ever played The Last of Us franchise easily understands why Ellie is on our list. She has single-handedly proven that women can have a pivotal role in video games, especially in the world of horror. We meet her when she’s just a fourteen-year-old survivor, but even then we can see she is mature beyond her years.
Ellie is not your typical female character. She is no damsel in distress — when the going gets tough she can fight hostile humans and zombie-like creatures like nobody’s business. And if Joel needs some help, she’s there for him. We mean, she even saves him from getting killed on numerous occasions! Not to mention, Ellie is immune to the virus that ravages the United
States in the game.
So, if you ask us, Ellie is one of the toughest females in horror games! She possesses so many traits that we would love to be stranded with her on a deserted island — we know her survival instincts would kick in and we would be out of there in no time!
Jill Valentine (Resident Evil 3)
One of the latest additions to the Resident Evil series is Resident Evil 3, a remake of the 1999 game. A year after its release, it still continues to engage players, introducing them to intriguing characters you’d want to meet outside of this universe. In this installment, we meet Jill Valentine — a prime example of why females in horror games are an absolute must!
Jill Valentine shares one thing with Ellie from The Last of Us — they both have good survival instincts. In fact, in Jill’s case, numerous documents state she has the ability to remain calm under difficult conditions. She is known for her quick thinking which has kept her and those around her alive.
Furthermore, Jill has a strong sense of justice. She is committed to stopping bioterror and risking her life to restore peace. This lady isn’t afraid to put everything on the line when needed. Plus, she is loyal — a trait you come to love when you play horror games over and over again.
As a respected high-ranking operator, Jill Valentine is one fierce lady who proves that women can truly do it all — they just need a chance to show how brave they can be.
Let’s meet other amazing females in horror games now!
Amanda Ripley (Alien: Isolation)
The alien-like creature, an aggressive and deadly extraterrestrial, from Alien (1979) has become a recognizable figure in both the sci-fi and horror genres. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve probably heard about Xenomorphs and know how vicious they can get. But if you want to get a taste of this, you should play Alien: Isolation. The experience will be much more immersive, plus you’ll meet Amanda Ripley, the protagonist of this video game.
Does the last name sound familiar? It should be, especially if you’ve watched the movie! Amanda is the daughter of Ellen Ripley, and she has many of her mother’s traits. That’s why we had to add her on our list of females in horror games! Amanda is a strong-willed woman who is ready for any mission that comes her way. But beneath all of that, she is just a girl looking for her missing mother, wanting closure on her mother’s disappearance.
This girl gets to Sevastopol, a space station, where she witnesses something that terrifies her. However, she becomes stronger and more confident over time, willing to visit the areas where the alien might be waiting for her. Amanda also has a dry and deadpan sense of humor, which is the quality you need in a horror video game!
Aya Brea (Parasite Eve)
It’s been more than 20 years since the release of Parasite Eve, but the game is still turning heads. One of the reasons for that is that players get to meet one of the coolest females in horror games. The name is Aya Brea, and you’ve probably heard a thing or two about her!
Aya Brea is an early example of a leading female character in a video game who is known for her down-to-earth qualities. She is a complex character. As a heroine, she is strong-willed, intelligent, and honest. However, she can be stubborn at times, which creates tension between her and her partner Daniel.
Unlike other females in horror games, Aya isn’t your typical heroine. She is modest in nature, rarely bragging about being brave or possessing superhuman powers. However, she puts on a brave face when needed, and those living in the fictional New York City are quite thankful for that.
Even over 20 years since Aya was introduced to all of us, this compassionate and sensitive soul still stands out in the video game industry. She is one of the first female protagonists in a game, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
Have you played any of these games before? Which other females in horror games would you add? Tell us below!