7 Reasons Why Lara Croft Is Our Video Game Heroine Of 2013

4. She Doesn't Offend Anybody!

Lara Croft has historically been known as both one of the greatest female gaming icons of all time as well as one of the most recognisable objects of sexual desire from the gaming world and it has often been noted that in the past she has been objectified as more of the latter than the former. Certainly in the middle of the series, characterisation kind of went out of the window and it became more about her massive boobs than her ability to solve mysteries and kick ass simultaneously. But Crystal Dynamics have taken great time and effort to politely gloss over that side of Lara's notoriety by reworking her famous image. In this 2013 reboot, Lara ditches the short shorts and big boobs for a more athletic image. She now wears cargo pants and thanks to the beauty of motion capture, it is not her overall physique that draws our attention but her very human expressions and facial assets. She also manages to pass what is known as the Bechdel Test, a very simple measure of media's portrayals of women that came from a comic strip in 1985. It simply states that in order for a work of fiction to pass, it must depict 1) two named female characters that 2) share a scene together and 3) discuss something other than a man. Sounds easy yet some of the biggest films in history have failed, including Star Wars and Avatar. But not Tomb Raider. Lara shares non-men oriented conversations with two female members of the games supporting cast, her friend Sam and fellow explorer Joslin. The fact that 2013's Lara Croft has overcome the clichéd sexual objectification and is a more balanced portrayal of a female protagonist is not a massive deal but it sure makes it easier for us girls to enjoy the game when presented with a real character rather than a stereotype. More importantly though, it is further indicative of the care and creative professionalism that Crystal Dynamics have applied to this project and certainly contributes to her successful return to centre stage.