Female representation in video games has become a pressing need in modern times, especially given the problematic manner in which these characters were usually portrayed in past titles Thankfully, most modern video games have done a great job of showcasing strong, diverse female characters who are not defined solely by their gender. From Lara Croft inTomb Raiderto Aloy in theHorizongames, female protagonists have proven to be just as capable and compelling as their male counterparts. Of course, women also shine in the role of a villain if written in a compelling manner.
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This is especially true in Western RPGs, where certain female villains end up being the most captivating parts of their respective games. These characters subvert most stereotypical tropes and end up being highly unique characters who are a blast to interact with every single time they take center stage. These villains have helped break down gender barriers and provide a more inclusive gaming experience for everyone.
8Sister Friede (Dark Souls 3: Ashes Of Ariandel)
Sister Friede is a pretty unique character and isone of the best boss fights in the entire game, with this battle being split into three halves while Father Ariandel joins the fray in the middle too. She’s a conniving individual who tried to take over the power of the First Flame but was rejected and turned into ash.
She stumbled upon Ariandel’s Painted World and manipulated him into corrupting this landscape as well. She prevents the Ashen One from restoring the Painted World with all her might but ultimately succumbs to the might of the player-character.
7Meredith Stannard (Dragon Age 2)
Dragon Age 2may have several faults of its own, but the core narrative is definitely a strong point, as one would expect from a BioWare game. The antagonist of this game, Meredith Stannard, is a riveting character who harbors a hatred for mages.
After getting her hands on a lyrium sword, the side effects of this material caused her to slowly go insane as her hatred for mages reached new and scary heights. It was clear that her actions sent her on a collision course with Hawke and his companions, making for a great central conflict inDragon Age 2.
6Dallis The Hammer (Divinity: Original Sin 2)
Dallis isone of the main antagonists inDivinity: Original Sin 2, serving as a thorn in the player’s side time and time again throughout the game’s long and epic story. Her hatred for Sourcerers feels downright manic at times and makes her an easy character to hate.
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Of course, Dallis is far from the one-dimensional villain most people assume her to be early on. It turns out that she is Fane’s biological daughter — an Eternal who killed the original Dallis and used the Mask of the Shapeshifter to take over her place, giving her a pretty engrossing backstory…although the fact that this comes at the cost of an exposition dump at the very end of the game does limit this reveal’s impact somewhat.
5Flemeth (Dragon Age: Origins)
Morrigan isone of the best characters inDragon Age: Origins, with this fearsome mage being quite imposing in battle. So, it goes without saying that her mother is bound to be a fearsome figure, and the fact that Morrigan hates her makes this encounter even more intimidating.
Flemeth is a recurring character in the series and immensely captivating whenever she appears front and center in the games. She’s a powerful mage who will decimate a player not ready for her onslaught, so players should be ready and prepared before taking her on as a part of Morrigan’s companion questline.
4Birna Bran (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntfeatures several engaging narratives that unfold in tandem with the main plot. One such story involves the debate as to who should become the ruler of Skellige, with Geralt choosing to participate in this conflict and help resolve the mystery of who caused the Berserkers to devour the majority of the aspirants who wanted to rise to the throne.
By supporting either Hjalmar or Cerys, Geralt figures out that the conspirator was none other than Birna Bran, the wife of the former king Bran Tuirseach. She wanted the throne to be passed down within one dynasty, trying to enact this conspiracy for her son…without even asking him what he wanted.
3Ming-Xiao (Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines)
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlinesisone of the greatest Western RPGs around, and fans are glad to see this cult classic absolutely booming in popularity nowadays. The game features many unique vampire factions that are a blast to interact with, including the mysterious Kuei-jin.
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The person leading this group is Ming-Xiao, who is a pretty riveting character despite betraying the protagonist if they decide to side with him. However, while her personality is great, the boss fight against her is anything but, being one of the most painful combat encounters players have to deal with in the game.
2Lady Maria (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
Out of all the villains on this list, many would argue that Lady Maria is one of the most tragic figures of the lot. She regretted her actions that led to the eradication of the Fishing Hamlet’s inhabitants and the defilement of Kos' body.
As punishment, she was imprisoned in the Hunter’s Nightmare and guards the entrance to the Fishing Hamlet. The battle against her is one of the best encounters in the entire series, with Maria’s fighting style being graceful yet quite brutal as well.
1Kreia (Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords)
Kreia is one of the best characters in video game history, with Obsidian Entertainment using her conflicted personality to explore the Force in new and unique ways. She wanted to explore both sides of the Force but was disillusioned with it after her apprentice, Darth Revan, ended up causing great strife in the universe.
She decides to train the Exile, the main character ofKnights of the Old Republic 2, forming an emotional bond with them that makes their final battle all the more engaging. It’s a shame that this game was released in such a buggy and unfinished state since many people missed out on the amazing writing present in what is possiblyone of the bestStar Warsgames ever made.
