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The end of the Xenosaga series brings an interesting point
to mind; women make compelling protagonists in RPGs. Shion and
KOS-MOS (and her human counterpart) were great characters in the
Xenosaga mythos. I don't believe the series would have been
as great one of the men were the main character. Sadly, not many
RPGs feature a main female role. They are usually set up as the
love interest who is destined to fall for the male hero and possibly
become a hindrance. I can't help but wonder what if more games
displayed strong female characters in the foreground.
Being a fan of the Final Fantasy series, I was excited
about the release of long overdue Final Fantasy XII.
Something intriguing about this sequel is that is it features a
prominent female characters Though FFXII seems to contain an
ensemble cast with each character given a great amount of attention,
Princess Ashe can easily be associated as the main character. She is
a strong, honorable woman who stands up for the oppressed and offers
them hope, much like Yuna of Final Fantasy X. In that
respect, Vaan, often considered to be the main hero of the game,
assumes the role of a supporting character who tags along for the
adventure.
Final Fantasy XII hadn't even touched US shores before the
thirteenth game in the series was already announced and covered in
great detail. All videos and screenshots of the game show a deft
female warrior battling enemies, but Square Enix has already stated
that she will not be the leading character. If this is true, it
would be a real shame. From what I have seen this unnamed female
appears to be a stalwart figure that would be fitting as the main
protagonist. Now that she has been given the spotlight for so long
it would be sad to suddenly put such an alluring character in the
background. Hopefully Square Enix developers will change their minds
before long.
Other prominent female protagonists include the titular valkyries
in the Valkyrie Profile series. Lenneth is a very strong
warrior. She has the skills to defeat powerful demons and determine
the fate of fallen humans. Her character is appealing because that
angelic role usually consists of a male figure. However, if a male
were to take Lenneth's place the story might not have been as
effective. Lenneth is an enduring hero that also displays a very
humane and emotional side. This type of character is inherently
feminine; thus, it wouldn't be the same if a man showed those same
characteristics. Though I haven't had the opportunity to play
Valkyrie Profile 2, Silmeria also appears to be a capable
hero with the same attributes. Though she holds the power of a
goddess, she retains vulnerable human emotions that make her a solid
character.
In the end, it is my desire that more RPGs feature female
protagonists. It would be nice every once and a while to find more
than the benevolent, feminine healer stereotype seen in a great
number of RPGs these days. I have no problem playing with a female
character, as long as she is believable and not forced into a man's
role, unless it's part of the story. With games like Xenosaga,
Valkyrie Profile and the new Final Fantasy sequels and
the increasing number of women who play RPGs, hopefully we may just
see a new trend in female representation in games. Not only would it
help the gaming industry appeal to women, but it would also
diversify the styles of storytelling and character development in
games to come.
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