For as long as video games have been around, women have fought to make themselves known within the medium. Now, with all the video game advancements of the modern era, they're coming to the forefront thanks to trailblazers like Lara Croft. Women are also cementing themselves in already established franchises such as Uncharted and Assassin's Creed.

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Some female protagonists leave lasting impressions on their audience, whether it be due to nostalgia, characterization, or just overall uniqueness. Their legacies may be long and decorated, or maybe they're just starting. Whatever the case, there are a ton of female protagonists who have already reached iconic status.

10 Jade's Story Should Be Experienced By Everyone (Beyond Good And Evil)

Jade holding a camera and avoiding enemies in Beyond Good and Evil HD

An underrated protagonist from an underrated video game, Jade still stands up against the better-known women of gaming thanks to her determination, kind heart, and selflessness. Wielding a unique weapon in the form of a bo staff and having a humanoid pig as an adoptive uncle, Jade is definitely special.

Jade's journey in Beyond Good And Evil is one that every avid gamer should try and take the opportunity to experience. Being the legal guardian for multiple orphans, Jade's adventure takes her from a humble big sister, to a hero who understands she has a destiny much greater than herself.

9 2B Has Crossed Over Into Multiple Franchises (NieR: Automata)

Nier Automata video game

The android at the helm of one of Yoko Taro's most well-known games, 2B's iconic status has seen her cross over into multiple other franchises such as Gravity Rush, Soul Calibur, and even Final Fantasy. Not only is her story lauded for its social commentary, but her entire image is immediately recognizeable, even if to people who haven't played NieR: Automata.

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A conflicted and intriguing character, 2B spends the majority of NieR: Automata hiding secrets from those she loves most, dealing with losing the only home she's ever known, and questioning her purpose and identity. It's a heart-wrenching story that helps to cement her place in the history books.

8 Heather Mason Becomes Her Own Hero (Silent Hill 3)

Heather Mason is the adoptive daughter of franchise legend Harry Mason and is one of the most recognizable women in Silent Hill. Heather only becomes more iconic as she carves out her own story in Silent Hill 3, which sees her seek answers after the murder of her father.

Heather doesn't only carry herself in her own franchise. She makes an appearance in the popular multiplayer survival horror game Dead By Daylight, which features the most iconic characters from other horror franchises in cameos. She appears alongside Pyramid Head under her original name, Cheryl Mason.

7 Clementine's Whole Story Plays Out On Screen (Telltale's The Walking Dead)

Clementine as she appeared in The Walking Dead The Final Season

Clementine starts her journey in Telltale's The Walking Dead as a young girl who's been separated from her parents in the zombie apocalypse. Clementine grows into not only a fighter but a mother, friend, and leader too. She's easily the standout of the series and a star in her own right.

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Having made appearances in four of the infamous story-driven zombie games, Clementine captured the hearts of players everywhere with her emotional relationship with the protagonist from the first game, Lee Everett. Her intelligent decision-making and shrewd survival skills made her a quick fan favorite.

6 Commander Jane Shepard Is The Galaxy's Hero (Mass Effect)

The female Commander Shepard from Mass Effect series

Players are able to pick either a male or female Shepard at the beginning of their Mass Effect journey, and both of them are equally iconic. However, many long-term players highly recommend playing Jane Shepard just to hear the incredible voice acting work performed by Jennifer Hale.

Being at the helm of one of the most successful video game franchises is a heavy burden to bear, but Commander Shepard is more than used to heavy burdens. Like any great iconic video game protagonist, Jane Shepard is easily recognizable even by people who have never touched a Mass Effect game.

5 Ellie Takes Players On Her Journey (The Last Of Us 2)

Ellie in The Last of Us 2's trailer

Appearing in every single entry of The Last Of Us franchise, Ellie has become more of a mainstay than even original protagonist Joel. Fans of the series have been taken on a long and arduous journey alongside her as she grows from a naive child to a weary adult.

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With a TV show in the works and the video games establishing that Ellie must now officially fend for herself, it seems her legacy is only just beginning. A well-renowned character that Sony isn't afraid to put at the forefront of all of their promotions, Ellie isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

4 Aloy Is The New Kid On The Block (Horizon)

Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West holding a bow and a dagger.

While the Horizon franchise is only in its infancy compared to many other well-known series, Aloy has already leaped to the forefront of most people's minds as an iconic female protagonist. Having set out on her isolating journey of discovery at only eighteen years old, she became one of PlayStation's flagship characters with the release of Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017.

Despite only existing for a couple of years, Aloy has made appearances in Genshin Impact, Monster Hunter, Death Stranding, Fortnite, and even Fall Guys. Her list of cameos is already impressive, and with the release of Horizon Forbidden West, she appears to be creating a real legacy.

3 Claire Redfield Stands Amongst The Greats (Resident Evil 2)

Claire Redfield wielding a gun in the Resident Evil 2 remake.

In a series that created legends such as Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield, it's no surprise that the equally iconic Claire Redfield would rise to prominence in the sequel. In Resident Evil 2, Claire sets out to find her brother, who fans already had an emotional connection to. It was easy for players to relate to her and her journey, especially considering she was more normal than the other protagonists in the series.

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Claire has also found herself appearing in multiple other franchises, such as Monster Hunter, PUBG, and Onimusha to name a few. She and her brother are arguably one of the most recognizable sibling duos in video gaming, and she's worked hard to carve a path for herself separate from his own.

2 Bayonetta Changed Perceptions Of Strong Women, Bayonetta

Bayonetta 3 Cropped

The protagonist of the Bayonetta series, Bayonetta went against typical conventions of female protagonists at the time, which garnered her a cult following. Her overly feminine image helped break the idea that women needed to be rugged or masculine to be taken seriously in video games. This inspiring imagery meant she found her way into various other franchises, the most popular of which being Super Smash Bros.

Bayonetta was never supposed to be born, as she was the child of a forbidden union between Umbral Witch Rosa and Lumen Sage Balder. Her birth led to a war between the two previously peaceful clans. She spends her time over the series trying to find her place and piecing together the parts of her family tree, a noble goal most can relate to.

1 Lara Croft Is The Original Blueprint, Tomb Raider

Lara Croft shooting a bow in Tomb Raider game

One of the first female protagonists in gaming and still one of the few with such a long-lasting legacy, Lara Croft burst onto screens in Tomb Raider in 1996 and has been growing her fanbase ever since. With multiple entries in her series, a variety of spin-offs, and multiple film adaptations, Lara Croft is more than an icon. She's a cultural phenomenon.

An English archaeologist and treasure hunter, Lara told a whole generation of young girls that they could do whatever they wanted and be the heroes of their own stories. She's dominated the screen with every appearance, and even though the gaps between her video game entries get bigger, her influence shows no signs of slowing down.

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