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Tough Women in Video Games
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Today is Breast Cancer Awareness Day. It is the second most common cancer behind lung cancer and in 2005, it was responsible for taking the lives of over 500,000 people worldwide. This article is dedicated to the surviors of breast cancer by showcasing some of the toughest women in video games. While video games are filled with memorable women, this list shows some women who aren't the sterotypical, oversexualized female character. These women have done some tough stuff in some tough games and survived to create a legacy of respect.
Alis Landale, Phantasy Star, Sega Master System (1988): The RPG genre has no shortage of tough women (and this list has no shortage of those women either) but my first choice goes to one of the pioneers of the console RPG genre, the awesome Phantasy Star series, known for its (at the time) incredible graphics, dungeons, and complex design. It was also difficult and had a very dark undertone. And Alis was tough to overcome the death of her remaining family and lead a rebellion that spanned three planets and some of the toughest battles in video game history.
Blaze Fielding, Streets of Rage, Genesis (1991): In addition to being the best character in this old-school brawling series, she cleaned the streets with physical fury, like most tough video game women. Unlike most games, she dressed tastefully for the occasion, which is why I'm giving the nod to the first Streets of Rage, despite her improved moves in parts 2 & 3.
Samus Aran, Metroid series, Nintendo (1986): Can any list about video games and tough women ever exist with out the original female protagonist, Samus Aran? In her 2D adventures, she explored a planet that kept expanding and challenging her. Even when she had to space jump through nothing but lava, she did it without screaming. And when she finally went 3D, she toughened up and broke ground in first-person games. No woman will ever be tougher than a woman who was orphaned as a child and raised to be a warrior.
Lucca, Chrono Trigger, Super Nintendo (1995): One of the best RPGs ever made, Chrono Trigger redefined the world 'memorable'-the plot, the gameplay, and the characters. And no character made more of memory than Lucca. A time-traveling quest to destory an alien parasite is only worthy of the toughest. But she's get a nod because of the weapon she utilizes: her brain. A geek's dream girl (brainy cutie) who only flashed off her genius: she created the device that basically put the whole game into motion, she rebuilds a character, and only thinks her way to solutions, even when her best friend dies. She's full of tough moments and gamers have a third chance to catch them in the DS rebuild this November.
Sakura, Street Fighter Alpha series, Arcade (1997): Fighting games also have no shortages of tough women. But, in recent years, those women have gotten more attention to their jiggle and titilation than their bone-breaking manuevers. Which makes Sakura the best choice over the more obvious Chun-Li. The toughest part about her? Her style is an self-taught imitation of Street Fighter legend, Ryu.
Airan, Sin & Punishment, Nintendo 64/Wii Virtual Console (2000): Leading a three person rebellion against invading alien forces requires a high degree of toughness and Airan showed her toughness when her partner transformed into a giant super soldier. She threw her jacket off and invaded an entire naval force with just a gun and a blade and won. One of the most viscerally tough moments ever.
Claire Redfield, Resident Evil series (1998): She went in search of her brother in the middle of a zombie outbreak in an entire town on a motorcycle. And if that wasn't enough, she nearly took an entire corporation and nearly set two giant corporations to hell on in a blaze of glory. And never once does she waver or back down from zombies, giant humanoid creatures, and alligators. Best of all, she does it wearing convincing clothing-No skin tight leather ot high heels. Just two .45s, leather cut-off jacket, and jeans come together for one of the toughest women in the Resident Evil series.
The Boss, Metal Gear Solid 3, Playstation 3: Gave birth in the middle of a war, created a new combat technique, and willingly died at the hands of her former mentee to save her country from nuclear anhilation: The Boss is probably the toughest character in any video game. To suffer a heartbreak, such as having her only child ripped away from her, is enough to make a person never fight again. She believed in a something that was bigger than her and she laid her life down for it. Tough indeed.
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