While the world of video games has long been dominated by straight male heroes, the tide is definitely turning, with lesbian video game characters becoming more common and, importantly, celebrated. It's becoming.
The gaming industry is a modern entertainment giant and is worth more than movies and music combined. And with HBO's success, its influence will only grow further. America's last and Nintendo's super mario bros movie It is predicted that the game adaptation will become a new superhero movie.
As the industry continues to grow, the representation of lesbian characters becomes even more important. Although women make up about half of gamers, they have long been underrepresented, have been forced to deal with sexist and misogynistic undertones, and are even harder to find gay.
However, things are starting to change. In honor of Lesbian Visibility Week, here are some amazingly written and memorable lesbian characters throughout the game.
Warning – This article contains spoilers for almost every game on the list.
Ellie – the last of us
Ellie Williams, from the post-apocalyptic zombie series the last of ushas perhaps one of the most significant same-sex relationships in modern gaming history.
First introduced as a 14-year-old go-getter surviving in the last pockets of humanity after a deadly zombie pandemic, Ellie must overcome a series of hardships and grow up fast if she wants to stay alive.
in The Last of Us Part II, The 19-year-old's sexuality was first glimpsed after it was revealed that she is dating new character Dina.
The plot was notable not only for its importance to the LGBTQ+ community, but also for showing mainstream audiences that love stories could legitimately be represented in video games.
Ruby, Instigator – Disco Elysium
A lot can be said about the ZA/UM method. Disco Elysium We incorporate queer themes into our award-winning stories. Whether it's the way the LGBTQ+ characters are treated in the cold streets of Rebachol, which draws inspiration from the remains of post-war Europe, or the small, touching moments where the characters express themselves freely.
But nothing describes it better than the character Ruby, The Instigator. Ruby, who appears much later in the game, is a “wrong place at the wrong time” survivor who is forced into hiding after an incident that puts her at the forefront of a murder investigation. .
Throughout the game's well-written dialogue, Ruby's backstory (which includes her love for one of the women of Revacole West) is as beautiful and heartbreaking as it is interesting.
Not only that, but her sexuality is incorporated into her character so smoothly that it's almost criminal.
Vivian Pentrees – moon mist
Although not the most famous lesbian character in gaming, Vivian Pentreath is believed to have made gaming history as the first sapphic video game character.
moon mistIn the 1986 text adventure, Pentreath plays a criminally gay villain who is described as “jealous of his girlfriend marrying a man.”
Although she is never explicitly mentioned as a lesbian, her relationship with her girlfriend Deirdre broke new ground in the up-and-coming gaming world of the 1980s.
A section of the game sees her reading the “tear-stained pages” of her diary, in which she lovingly wrote about her late lover, which sets the precedent for her revenge plan.
I mean, if we hadn't all been there…
Judy Alvarez – cyberpunk 2077
the world of cyberpunk 2077 is incredibly gay. Hacker Judy Alvarez, one of gaming's most iconic lesbian characters, couldn't be gayer.
The colorful-haired enhancement engineer is a fan favorite for his charming demeanor and incredibly quirky vibe. She also has a romance option, but she is only available to players who have selected the “Female Body” option.
It's not very common to see a datatable lesbian character in a game with a customizable protagonist, so it's great to see her represented in the world of Night City.
Tracer – overwatch
If you've ever wanted to play as a space-warping sapphic superhero in Britain who wields two guns and develops an exuberant demeanor, Tracer is a dream come true.
of overwatch The playable character is one of the most iconic in the roster of heroes, and arguably the gayest.
Her sexuality was revealed in a comic series released at the same time as the first game, after her girlfriend Emily appeared.
Seeing LGBTQ+ representation in competitive shooters is a step above competition and helps set a precedent that supports all players.
Commander Shepard – mass effect
As a customizable character, Commander Shepard's flexible sexuality (possibly lesbian) is proof that video games have the unique ability to truly represent their players.
Players can choose to romance multiple characters in the game, or choose only female characters for a purely gay experience.
Romance options range from sweet to sensual, representing a dynamic range of stories told in a vast world. mass effect.
Elster – signalis
Elster, also known as LSTR-512, is a replica human lost in a surreal and terrifying world. signalis His only goal is to find his girlfriend, Ariane.
Elster and Ariane's relationship becomes more apparent as the game progresses, with flashbacks, diary excerpts, and other tidbits revealing a tragically beautiful love story.
Despite the beauty of their close relationship, an inevitable tragedy defines them signalis There are several endings in which Elster must keep his promise to his partner. Whether you know what this is or not depends on how well you know each other.
Renata Glascu – league of legends
league of legends Champion Renata Glask has it all: superpowers, powerful sapphire energy, and an incredibly stylish suit.
The character debuted in 2022 as a “harsh, sinister, sophisticated, serpentine, cynical, satirical, and sublime” wizard and has since become a favorite among queers.
her participation league of legends is yet another great queer addition to the roster of champions.
Undyne – undertale
An undeniably cool warrior in armor, Undyne might have one of the cutest dating side quests in the game.
The monster soldier, who has a strong sense of justice, goes on a heartwarming date with the relatively clumsy Dr. Alphys after the protagonist hands him a letter from Undyne.
Undyne is my favorite undertale Fans have praised him for being extremely well-written, both as a queer character and as a brave defender of the underground.
Honorable Mention: Madame Dimitrescu – resident evil
Although her sexuality is not fully revealed, Resident Evil Village Alcina Dimitrescu has become something of a queer icon in her own right.
The 9-foot-tall vampire aristocrat has garnered a lot of attention since she was introduced in the 2021 survival horror game's teaser trailer. To be honest, I don't really get called “mother” that often without a certain amount of sapphic energy. .
According to excerpts from her various books and diaries, she had little romantic interest in men and spoke of the women in her life as if they were Greek statues.
Regardless of her true sexuality, Dimitrescu is worth mentioning. Because she will forever be the tall vampire woman that we queers really need.
