Summary

  • Female anti-heroes lack heroic attributes but are still compelling protagonists due to their complex nature.
  • Characters like Chloe, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman blur the line between hero and villain, making them morally grey.
  • Anti-heroes like Yennefer, Lara Croft, and Bayonetta showcase intricate motives and actions that challenge traditional heroism.

Anti-heroes are all over the video game industry. These characters are more nuanced and complex than a typical hero, motivated by self-interest and cynicism as they serve as protagonists. Some popular examples include Joel from The Last of Us, Kratos from God of War, and Trevor from Grand Theft Auto 5.

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However, there are a lot of female antiheroes in video games who deserve to be discussed. These female characters lack a lot of traits of the cliche "hero" archetype, but the player still roots for them to win. These women don't like to play by the rules. From superheroes to sorcerers, here are the best female anti-heroes in gaming.

An anti-hero is a central character who lacks conventional heroic attributes.

10 Life Is Strange

Chloe Price

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Life is Strange

Adventure 8.0/10 Released January 30, 2015 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Dontnod Entertainment Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine unreal engine 3, unreal engine 4 Franchise Life is Strange Platform(s) Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One How Long To Beat 15 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

Chloe Price is at the heart and center of Life is Strange. As Max’s best friend, fans root for her as she navigates complex situations. While Chloe can be toxic and manipulative, she also fiercely loves her friends and is coping with some serious trauma.

She is outspoken and impulsive but uses her rebellious attitude to protect the people she holds close. Her motives may be murky and her actions questionable, but she’s a complex character trying her best to help Max and Rachel.

9 Injustice 2

Harley Quinn

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Injustice 2

Fighting Released May 11, 2017 ESRB T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) NetherRealm Studios Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Games Engine unreal engine 3, unreal engine 4 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Injustice Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS How Long To Beat 10 Hours X|S Optimized No File Size Xbox Series 33 GB (November 2023) OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

Harley Quinn is a well-known villain or antihero, depending on the story being told. In Injustice 2, she leans more towards the antihero. Batman has somewhat reformed Harley in this game, joining his allies to fight a corrupt Superman.

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This doesn’t mean she’s lost her unstable energy. With witty quips and a general air of snark, she is still just as wacky and unconventional as ever. The anti-hero is just fighting for a decent cause this time around.

8 Batman: Arkhamverse

Catwoman

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Batman Arkham City

Action Adventure 10.0/10 Released October 18, 2011 ESRB T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Rocksteady Studios Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Games Engine Unreal Engine 3 Franchise Batman Platform(s) PS3, PC, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch How Long To Beat 14 Hours Metascore 96 PS Plus Availability Premium Powered by Expand Collapse

Like Harley Quinn, Catwoman is a female character in the DC Universe. In the Arkham games, she reluctantly helps the Dark Knight in between her criminal acts, often resulting in his triumph.

Selina Kyle doesn’t have a strict moral code, but she possesses a capacity for good. Complex and inconsistent, she walks a morally grey line, not quite a villain, not quite a hero. Her motives are often selfish, but you root for her anyway.

7 Mass Effect 2

Jack

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Mass Effect 2

Action RPG Third-Person Shooter Released January 26, 2010 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence Developer(s) BioWare Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Unreal Engine 3 Franchise Mass Effect Platform(s) PS3, Xbox 360, PC How Long To Beat 25 Hours X|S Optimized No File Size Xbox Series 13 GB (December 2023) Powered by Expand Collapse

Jack is a recruitable squad member in the Mass Effect games. She is a biotic criminal with a tendency towards vandalism, piracy, and murder.

Initially sharp and hesitant to join Shepherd in Mass Effect 2, she eventually learns to trust you. It’s easy to write her off as ruthless and anti-social, but that loses you a great ally. With foul language, a pension for violence, and an aggressive attitude, she has anti-hero potential.

6 Resident Evil 4

Ada Wong

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Resident Evil 4

Survival Horror 4.5/5 1.0/10 Released January 11, 2005 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language Developer(s) Capcom Publisher(s) Capcom Engine RE Engine Franchise Resident Evil Platform(s) PS4, PS3, PS2, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Wii, Nintendo GameCube, PC, Android, iOS How Long To Beat 16 Hours PS Plus Availability Premium (PS3 Version) OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

Ada Wong is a major character in the Resident Evil games. Sarcastic and hard to shake, players can’t always get a read on her. The mercenary has a convoluted background and moral code, willing to betray her employers if there is a benefit.

It’s not usually clear what side she is on, though she’ll repay someone’s kindness here and there. She’s a great example of a femme fatale, mysteriously charming as she helps Leon in between her deals with terrorists.

5 Uncharted

Chloe Frazer

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Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Third-Person Shooter Adventure Released May 10, 2016 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Naughty Dog Publisher(s) Sony Engine Naughty Dog Engine 2.0 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Uncharted Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 How Long To Beat 15 Hours Metascore 93 How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs) 32 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

The Uncharted series wouldn’t be the same without treasure hunter Chloe Frazer. Always doing what it takes to survive, she will leave people behind to save herself. Her main motive is to find treasure for herself, not others.

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At the same time, she aids Nathan as the series progresses. Well-written and complex, her lack of trustworthiness makes her allyship all the more interesting.

4 Bayonetta Series

Bayonetta

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Bayonetta

Action Released October 29, 2009 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Platinum Games Publisher(s) Sega Engine Proprietary Engine Franchise Bayonetta Platform(s) PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

Bayonetta, the protagonist of the game with the same name, is a great example of a female anti-hero. Heroic in her way, she’s flirtatious, snarky, and violent while she battles her enemies. She also uses her sexuality to showcase her confidence and power.

As the series moves forward, her actions become slightly more noble, though she still walks the line between light and dark as an unconventional hero.

3 The Witcher

Yennefer

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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

RPG Action Adventure 5.0/5 9.8/10 Released May 19, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content Developer(s) CD Projekt Red Publisher(s) CD Projekt Red Engine REDengine 3 Cross-Platform Play yes Cross Save yes Expansions The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine Franchise The Witcher Steam Deck Compatibility verified Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 52 Hours X|S Optimized yes Metascore 94 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

Yennefer is a powerful sorceress in The Witcher series. Cunning and ruthless, she is extremely ambitious and not always trustworthy. She does what she has to do to survive and further her own goals.

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On the flip side, she is also a dedicated mother figure to Ciri and loving towards Geralt, even though their relationship is complicated. She will go to the ends of the earth to keep Ciri safe, making her a complex anti-hero.

2 Tomb Raider

Lara Croft

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Tomb Raider

Action-Adventure Released November 14, 1996 ESRB T For Teen // Animated Blood, Violence Developer(s) Core Design, Aspyr Publisher(s) Eidos Interactive Engine Crystal Engine Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise Tomb Raider Platform(s) Android, iOS, PC, PS1, Sega Saturn How Long To Beat 16 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

Lara Croft is a great example of a female anti-hero, particularly in the early Tomb Raider games. She’s not a villain by any means, but her motivations usually aren’t noble. Traveling the world to acquire historical artifacts but killing people who get in your way isn’t exactly heroic.

White Lara does save the world, she didn’t initially set out to do so, and her motivations are not altruistic. Her edginess and moral complexity make her a more interesting protagonist.

1 The Last Of Us Part 2

Ellie And Abby

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The Last of Us Part 2

Action Adventure Released June 19, 2020 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Naughty Dog Publisher(s) Sony Engine Proprietary Cross-Platform Play no Cross Save no Franchise The Last of Us Steam Deck Compatibility yes Platform(s) PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 How Long To Beat 24 Hours X|S Optimized no Metascore 93 OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

The Last of Us Part 2 gives us the best examples of female anti-heroes through Ellie and Abby. They're two sides of the same coin, so you root for both to succeed even though they are at odds.

They are both extremely determined, violent, and prone to impulsivity. While they’ve committed horrific acts, they do it to protect or avenge their loved ones. You see their point of view and understand their motivations for their brutality, but they each see the other as the villain, making a compelling character study.

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