Hitting another milestone with 75 articles, it's time to take a special look at possibly one of the more celebrated video game babes in history, if not also a polarizing individual from different viewpoints. Throughout the ages ever since the the early 90's, not one franchise has been more inspiring and beloved as the name of the titular character, Sonic the Hedgehog. What started out as a simple SEGA Genesis game has ballooned into the most recognizable icon of gaming that creates excitement and stimulates the imagination to players all ages throughout time. Even long after SEGA lost the console wars, they kept their mascot Sonic running free all the way to the current generation of gaming platforms. With it's continuing legacy, the seemingly eternal struggle between Sonic and Dr. Robotnik/Eggman has seen many colorful characters pop up practically almost every time a new game was introduced to their timeline. Among them came the girl considered the most attractive of them all, who for better or for worse gave a new approach to the Sonic series in all forms of media. So if you fly in the freedom like her, then put your best running shoes forward to keep her treasure hunt alive, she is the luxurious Rouge the Bat.
Making her debut in Sonic Adventure 2, nearly 10 years ever since the original Sonic game, Rouge was introduced as a rival to Knuckles the Echidna, matching him in terms of searching for precious jewelry and treasures. Except her needs were merely for personal gain as opposed to Knuckles' conviction to protect the Master Emerald, which Rouge was first seen targeting. She then aligned herself with Sonic's longtime enemy Dr. Eggman and the dark doppelganger Shadow the Hedgehog to help them find the Chaos Emeralds for Eggman's ARK and assist in their conflict with Sonic in exchange for helping her find the rest of the Master Emerald shards. But it was later revealed that she was actually a secret agent working for the G.U.N. organization, trying to find info on "the Ultimate Lifeform" that was living on the ARK. After Sonic and Shadow defeated the Final Hazard creature, Rouge broke off from Dr. Eggman and continued her work with G.U.N., working with Shadow as her partner.
Rouge may seem like a bad girl at first impression, with her somewhat revealing clothing and greedy attitude that she displays anytime treasure is involved. But the fact is she always has done her share of good and much like Sonic, opposes Dr. Eggman's plan for world domination. If anything she's more of an anti-hero since she still retains a thirst to own jewels but never lets them blind her from what may be more important, like her friendships with Shadow and to an extent, Sonic and his friends. Still, she is not afraid to have fun at someone else's expense, as demonstrated in her attempts to continue pursuing the Master Emerald from Knuckles. On that note, there has always been a question as to whether Rouge is romantically involved with Shadow or Knuckles. There's always differing evidence and opinions, but nothing to date is certain in the Sonic games, comics, or the anime. But perhaps it's better that Rogue's love life never truly be explored or finalized.
Ever since Sonic Adventure 2, Rouge has been showing up for nearly every single major Sonic game that's been made, whether it was for a supporting role or playable for a few levels. Her presence has made it easy for Sonic fans to fall in love with her, maybe even driving them to come up with Sonic-inspired fan characters of their own for the sake of trying to one-up her or even pair themselves with her. It's these things and more about Rouge that cause differing opinions on her to rise up and call forward what she contributes. On one hand, she is the apple pie in the eye to many professional gamers, being named in the list of GameRadar's "Sexy Lady Beasts of Gaming." But there sadly is many who accuse her of devaluing the "once innocent" series with her overly alluring appearance, and was even called one of the worst women in video games by the Screw Attack website. Such accusations and judgments can be harsh to unfair levels, but at the same time it is hard to deny that she may have corrupted some younger viewers, and that goes without mentioning the "furry" community.
Love her or leave her, Rogue the Bat has been one of if not THE dominant female of Sonic games back then, now, or into the future. Her near-spotless attendance record proves that she is not going anywhere, much like any other character that play a major role into the Sonic universe on one and or another and will continue to give Sonic fans something to draw from for inspiration, praiseworthy or deviant. Although it's been a while since the next big Sonic game has been released with Sonic Generations, there's little to no question about the beautiful batgirl's involvement. Rouge will always fly again to take some treasure and drop some bombshells in the process. In the end, whatever the game may be and whatever role she plays, Rouge the Bat solidifies herself as the video game babe that makes not admiring her the real crime.
This is Greg P., examining video game babes for you and me.
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