Female video game protagonists have truly come a long way since the 1990s, since their days of being hauled away to various castles and dungeons to await rescue at the hands of an idealized white knight. Christ, Peach must have been bored with only Bowser for company. While some modern games like Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row continue to portray women as items to be obtained, there are plenty of notable opposites. Faith of Mirror's Edge, Samus Aran of Metroid, Nariko of Heavenly Sword, Lara Croft of Tomb Raider, and especially Bayonetta don't need saving. They work through and star in their games with agency and power. What's more, Bayonetta doesn't simply have her sensual nature thrust upon her; she chooses it, owns it, and doesn't care who does or doesn't like it. It's a central part of her personality, not a marketing afterthought. This isn't Akiba's Trip, after all.
A freelance games writer, you say? Typically battling his current RPG addiction and ceaseless perfectionism? A fan of horror but too big a sissy to play for more than a couple of hours? Spends far too much time on JRPGs and gets way too angry with card games?
Well that doesn't sound anything like me.
