March 27, 2024
Gender imbalance in video games is something we deal with daily. This is especially unnerving when we look at certain statistics related to video game audiences. However, some progress has finally been made in the past few years. Gamers can look forward to many games featuring female protagonists being released in 2024.
Statistics on gender imbalance in gaming
It comes as no surprise that almost half (roughly 46%) of all gamers are female. This, however, doesn’t mean that women are equally represented in video games. According to a survey about the gender distribution of game protagonists from 2015 to 2020, only 18% of game protagonists in 2020 were female. This is an extremely low percentage, considering the equal percentage of all gamers. But simply featuring a female protagonist in a game is not enough.
Many are familiar with some harmful tropes present in many popular games. In a thesis titled “Why Can’t Zelda Save Herself?” the author discusses the ever-present “Damsel in distress” trope. Along with many others, this trope perpetuates the stereotype of the hopeless princess waiting to be saved by her prince. Tropes like these further the objectification of women. In addition to that, they leave women feeling contained by these stereotypes. However, many female gamers are excited about the shift that’s happening in the video game industry. Most games are finally featuring a more diverse cast, including their protagonists. In addition to that, most new games are actively getting rid of harmful tropes that promote the objectification of women. This is evident when looking at one of the best games of 2023, Baldur’s Gate 3, which was praised for its gender inclusion.
Thankfully, gamers looking for gender representation have a lot to look forward to in 2024. Let’s take a look at some of the best games with female protagonists that will be released in 2024.
Hades II
The game’s first installment, Hades, was first released in 2020. Since then, it has received praise for its rouge-like, dungeon-crawler gameplay, as well as its amazing story and visuals. In the first installment, players played as Zagreus, the son of the god of the dead, Hades. The game’s objective was to find his mother, Persephone, and escape from the underworld. The sequel, titled simply Hades II, keeps all the amazing elements of the first game.
This time, players will play as Melinoe, Princess of the Underworld. Like the first game, Hades II will be a rouge-like dungeon crawler based on Greek mythology. In addition to a new cast of characters, the game will feature a new difficulty setting called God Mode. This new difficulty setting raises the players’ resistance to damage every time they die. This will let players focus more on the story aspect of the game. Just like the first installment, Hades II is a highly-anticipated game. However, this time, the developers present us with a strong female protagonist to look forward to.
Cabernet
Cabernet is a 2D narrative-oriented RPG. The story is set in a fictional world resembling 19th-century Eastern Europe. Players play as Liza, a young vampire trying to sustain her lifestyle while battling with her morality. But Cabernet doesn’t just feature a fierce female protagonist. The studio where it was developed, Party for Introverts, is led by their co-founder, Laura Gray. Laura Gray also voices the protagonist, Liza. Overall, Cabernet is a visually stunning game with a unique story. With all that in mind, we can be excited for this female-led project to hit the shelves in 2024.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a narrative-driven game that follows the story of four women who share a horrifying secret. After witnessing a supernatural event in 1995, the characters reunite 27 years later to solve the mystery. This visually stunning game comes from the creators of the Life is Strange franchise. Like its successor, Lost Records will be a character-focused game featuring truly amazing visuals. We still don’t know much about this fantastic upcoming game. However, with its diverse cast and female protagonists, it’s sure to be a game with amazing female representation.
Last Sentinel
Last Sentinel is another amazing narrative-focused game. This open-world action game is set in a cyber-punk reconstruction of Tokyo and features a fantastic female protagonist. The game was announced during last year’s Game Awards with a cinematic trailer. In addition to eye-catching scenery and character design, Last Sentinel gives us an unforgettable female protagonist who in no way falls under the “damsel in distress” category.
This game will be released sometime in 2024. There’s still not much information on this game, but judging by the trailer alone, we’re in for a treat this year.
Honorable mentions
So far, 2024 looks like an amazing year for people looking for more diversity in their games. Other titles like Open Road, Senua’s Saga II: Hellblade, Bloomtown and many more give us hope for the future of gaming. It finally seems like we’re slowly but surely moving away from the harmful tropes we were used to for so long.