2024 was a great year for video game releases, filled completely with characters and stories that made players laugh and weep. These games featured an incredible array of new characters, including some wonderful female characters. In some cases, these women led beloved franchise video games likeZelda inEchoes of Wisdom, which is the first mainline game developed by Nintendo led by the princess.
This article contains SPOILERS.
Whether these womens are leads, have a strong presence in the game, and/or impact the story and world around them, there have been some undeniable heroines in 2024. They connected with players, had strong personalities, and left meaningful impacts on their games. The following are the best female characters of 2024,alphabetized by game title.
Iris Kwan/ALLMOTHER (1000xresist)
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The Allmother’s story is told to the player in pieces in1000xRESISTas they go through the course of the story.The Allmother is Iris Kwan, a teenager who was one of the few immune to a pandemic unleashed by aliens.1000xRESISTis a fascinating look into the life and psyche of a girl from a community in diaspora, suffering from pandemics and real-world conflict. She seeks to make sense of the world around her and assert control on a world devolving into chaos. No matter how far into fiction1000xRESISTventures, Iris remains its beating heart.
Neve (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
Critical to a fault, Neve is Minrathous' resident detective, determined to make things better than how she found them. Rook appropriately meets her by cracking open an icy barrier she’s constructed around herself, a metaphor for their future relationship that’s fraught with possible missteps and tumbles. Neve is unapologetically feminine and confident, which makes those moments where she allows herself to be vulnerable feel all the more special. Good and kind to her core, Neve is a brandnewDragon Agemage companionand is absolutely refreshing in her execution.
Needle Knight Leda (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
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Upon entering the Realm of Shadow,the Tarnished will meet Needle Knight Leda, a follower of Miquella of the Haligtree. Leda’s defining trait is utter devotion to Miquella, even going so far as to hunt down her own compatriots when she suspects them of disloyalty. Despite her intimidating persona, Leda is a constant and grounding figure inElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtreefor much of the DLC. She’s present from the beginning of the story until the end, introducing players to new lore and operating as a figure of contrasts.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
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Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and only DLC expansion for FromSoftware’s groundbreaking Elden Ring. It takes players to a whole new region, the Land of Shadow, where a new story awaits the Tarnished.
Aerith (Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth)
WithFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthcomes Aerith, one of the most well-known characters from theFinal Fantasyseries.Aerith’s deathis considered by many to be the emotional pinnacle ofFinal Fantasy, and the moment she’s killed inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthelicited many tears this time around too. In a world where female characters are often killed off for little to no reason, Aerith is so much more than her death scene, being the beating heart of the group. The sheer devastation of her death only resonates so powerfully because she, too, is a powerful character. Funny, passionate, and genuinely a compelling and likable character, Aerith steals the show from whatever scene she’s in.
Melinoe (Hades 2)
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Supergiant Games isn’t known for making sequels, makingHades 2’s trailer a surprise drop. Like her brother, Melinoe isn’t well recorded in ancient Greek texts, but the Chthonic nymph of nightmares, magic, and witchcraft has now left her mark on the world of roguelikes. Melinoe is self-critical, brash, stubborn, talented, and every bit deserving of the role she has. Doubts plague her, and Supergiant’s recent story update hints at an interesting twist in her path.Hades 2is a game that’s steeped in the femininewithout it becoming a barrier, featuring witchcraft, arcana, brewing potions, female role models and leaders at every turn, soaking in the moonlight, and swinging a giant ax with Heracles.
Gina Lombardi (Indiana Jones and The Great Circle)
Indiana Jones and The Great Circleputs Indy on an adventure to locate The Great Circle before the Nazis. Along the way, he meets Gina Lombardi, an Italian investigative journalist, who’s on the search for her sister.Gina proves to be resourceful and insightful on their adventure, helping pull Jones out of the fire on several occasions. She makes the decision to stand by her morals and core beliefs rather than pursue a life with Jones, preferring to fight against the evils of the present than chase after the shadows of the past.
Zelda (Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom)
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Zelda’s the titular character of theZeldafranchise, but this is the first time she’s been the star of her own mainline game. Originally, Link was going to take the stage once again, but his sword and shield got in the way of using the Echoes that were developed as akey mechanic forEchoes of Wisdom. And so, it was Zelda who got to don the hood and saved her own kingdom of Hyrule. The game excels when it explores Zelda’s roles in the game, namely as both a princess and a savior, and her relationship with all the NPCs she meets. Zelda is a forerunner this year, without a doubt.
Chitose (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
Cool and collected, Chitose has a complicated past that entangles the present and keeps players on their toes, never quite knowing what to expect from her. Her role in RGG’s latest title is central to the overall narrative and Ichiban’s characterization, while her choices set the direction and theoutcome ofLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s story, giving her agency that is both unusual and refreshing. Her decisions and personality mean she isn’t universally beloved, but she stands on her own two feet and makes no apologies.
Eupha (Metaphor: ReFantazio)
A three-eyed priestess of the Mustari tribe, Eupha starts outMetaphor: ReFantazioas a shy and naive figure due to her “sheltered” upbringing. Throughout the game, however, she growns an overstanding of the overarching world and her role in it, adding just one more perspective to the protagonist’s reflections on utopia. Her beliefs are challenge, her views adjusted, and her characterization grows. Whereas many women are treated as stale, one-note characters, Eupha is anything but.
Laura (Silent Hill 2 Remake)
Children are notoriously difficult to write and depict with authenticity, but Laura from theSilent Hill 2 Remakeis a genuine portrayal of grief and hope.Laura stands out in theSilent Hill 2 Remakespecifically because she’s the only child, adding mystery to the game as she cannot see the monsters that plague the town. Her connection to Mary adds urgency and confusion to James' own personal quest, but it’s her very nature as someone untouched by Silent Hill and a connection to Mary that is the biggest hint that something isn’t quite right, moreso than the monsters. Quickly, players will learn how innocent she is - and how rotten the rest of the world is.
