10 Video Games With Strong Female Leads That Every Woman Should Play

Photo by cottonbro studio

In the past two decades, video games have become the most popular form of entertainment in the world, surpassing movies, music, and books — combined. For whatever reason, though, many have come to see video games as an adolescent waste of time, and something only suited for man-children and boys — rather than an art form.

But in reality, video games have the potential to become one of the most interesting and immersive forms of both art and entertainment that the world has ever seen — combining narrative, music, acting performance, and visual art in a medium that allows the audience to not just be a passive observer, but instead, a participant in the story.

While understandably, most women didn’t see video games as a worthwhile use of time (as for decades, most of the games that were released were cartoonish and aimed at young men), in the past decade, with new technology and imagination, a whole new crop of beautiful, story-driven, aesthetic titles have been put out.

This being the case, we can’t let the boys keep having all the fun — so we have gathered together a list of video games that women will love. These games are all different in both play-styles, aesthetic, and genre, but each feature a strong and compelling female lead.

So dive into a new a immersive artistic storytelling medium that might just have you considering calling yourself a “gamer!”

01 | Life Is Strange series

Photo from Life Is Strange Fans

The Life is Strange series now has multiple beautiful games in its universe, but it all began with a story about a young girl named Maxine who lives in a small Northwestern town and finds herself with a unique set of abilities that allow her to solve a shocking murder mystery, while dealing with friendships, romance, and family issues at the same time.

Divided up into episodes, like your favorite TV shows — spend hours wandering rooms with Max’s interior monologue guiding you through the aesthetic world, to a soundtrack of indie-folk music while choosing very carefully what to say in every conversation with the cast of colorful characters you find yourself talking to, as every choice will change the outcome of this both beautiful and intriguing mystery.

02 | What Remains of Edith Finch

Photo from Rock Paper Shotgun

It feels almost wrong to call this a “game” as it’s closer to an immersive and dream-like visual novel that will leave you forever changed once experienced.

Follow Edith Finch, who returns to her family estate and mansion that’s filled with winding hallways, secret passageways, and mysterious rooms, each of which give a piece more to the unwinding story of her family and ancestors who lived in the house.

Touching on subjects of family trauma, memory, purpose, and ultimately mortality, this “game” is a poetic experience you won’t soon forget.

03 | The Last Of Us

Photo from CBR

Now a major HBO series, The Last of Us is a story that some have called the best video game story ever told. It’s not for the faint of heart, but is for those who want to be affected deeply by a heartbreakingly difficult story of innocence in the face of a world that has become ugly, and hope in the face of palpable despair.

The Last of Us is so much more than a monster/zombie story, as it follows Ellie, a young girl who, alone, holds the hope of saving the world and Joel, a broken man who is tasked to protect her at all costs.

This story is known for making even the hardest heart cry and even the softest souls inspired to fight darkness with a deep fury.

04 | Oxenfree

Photo from True Achievements

Oxenfree is a story-based adventure game in the style of old side scrolling games, but with a modern setting, beautiful soundtrack, and and intriguing and mysterious story.

Play as teenager Alex, who, while out with friends one night at the beach, comes across a mysterious happening in their small town, which leads them on an adventure to uncover the conspiracy that’s been right beneath their feet.

Relying heavily on dialogue to determine the story, this game is filled with creative plot twists, colorful characters, and a strong aesthetic.

05 | Control

Photo from New Game Network

Following special agent Jesse Faden, who’s been trapped inside a mysterious and suddenly hostile, FBI headquarters as she’s looking for her brother who’s gone missing.

This game features stunning, almost life-like graphics, a strong female lead, and an engrossing story of conspiracy and ultimately good’s struggle over evil. Control is a game like no other and is a both a philosophical and emotional journey that will keep you thinking and feeling long after the game is done. This one will take some practice as it’s more demanding as far as the controls go, but it will be worth all the effort. 

06 | Lake

Photo from Game Critics

We all secretly love Hallmark romance movies about a big city girl returning home to her small town where she falls in love with a handsome, small-town guy.

Well, in the video game Lake, you can live out this story. Play as 30-something Meredith, who returns home to a small town called Providence Oaks. It’s there that she takes over her father’s mail route.

Each day as you drive through the picturesque haven, delivering mail and packages to the locals, you’ll find yourself caught up in delightful conversations, small-town drama, and maybe even a new romance!

07 | A Plague Tale

Photo from ComingSoon.Net

Taking place in plague-ridden, middle-age Europe, play the touching story of Amicia De Rune as she and her brother learn to trust and depend on each other as they navigate the hostile world of the Dark Ages as they escape Inquisition soldiers, the black plague, and make their way towards a better life. This game is filled with stunning visuals, an immaculate cinematic soundtrack, and a story of hope and unconditional love.

08 | Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Photo from EuroGamer

If you’re looking for something a bit more epic that will take some more skill. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a BAFTA award-winning, sweeping tale based on celtic myths.

It follows a young heroine who must defeat an ancient darkness. In inspiration from works like Lord of the Rings and Narnia, this fantastical tale is a deep and engrossing metaphor for battling mental illness and triumphing over darkness.

09 | Beyond: Two Souls

Photo from The New York Times

Beyond: Two Souls is a story-driven game where every choice you make determines what the ending to the story will be. Following a young woman with inexplicable powers named Jodie, you find yourself in scenes from her past and present where the choices you make will guide what happens next and ultimately where her story will end.

While the controls are easy and can be mastered by even the least experienced gamer, the story is a complex and engrossing experience that explores a young woman’s growing pains and what it means to find and control her power — one that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last scene. 

10 | Gone Home

Photo from The Verge

Gone Home is a very simple story of a young woman returning home from college in the middle of the night to an empty house. As you wander through the house, picking up objects in an attempt to find where your family is, the main character’s inner monologue guides you both into her deepest memories and further into the haunting story. A touching and heart-wrenching experience that will leave you reflecting on your own story, family, and life.