10 Badass Gaming Heroines That Could Have The Men For Breakfast

2. Lara Croft

For many Lara Croft is the quintessential female action hero. Back in the 1990's she was a strong role model to young girls and a rare exception to gun toting in games being exclusively for the men. It is a pity that she was not embraced in this manner. Instead much of the industry at the time reacted by making her a pinup and treating her as if she were a novelty rather than a sign of progression. It seemed pistols and boobs were enough to undermine a determined, relentless and independent heroine. Fortunately times have changed and Crystal Dynamics' reboot of the franchise brings not only the best title in the series so far but also tells the story of a young scientist who, after being stranded on a dangerous island had to learn to kill to survive. She grows and evolves as the game goes on to the point that, when the end credits roll, she is as gritty and hardened as her contemporary male counterpart, Drake from Uncharted. This powerful woman who was present from the very first game in 1996 is finally getting the respect she deserves and all it took was stealth killing hundreds of male guards with a pickaxe.