Protagonists are among video games’ most important elements, serving as the point of connection between the player and the world they immerse themselves in.
Over time, we’ve enjoyed the creation of numerous iconic main characters, including female figures who have truly stood out and laid the groundwork for more unique and diverse stories.
Whether through their strength, their character development, or their influence in the industry, multiple women have been responsible for granting us memorable adventures, thus becoming a vital part of modern experiences within the interactive medium.
Therefore, in the interest of recognizing these protagonists and giving them the credit they deserve, these are the ten best open-world games with female leads.
10 Forspoken
Alfre "Frey" Holland
Forspoken
Action RPG
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:67/100 Critics Rec:30% 6.5/ 10
Released January 24, 2023 ESRB M For Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Luminous Productions Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine unity Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 5 How Long To Beat 15 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Fair Powered by
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Forspoken may not be among the most notable games of the last couple of years, but it has numerous notable ideas worth exploring.
Among them, I think the approach to its protagonist is one of the most interesting, as Frey breaks away from the genre’s standards to offer us a completely atypical character for an open-world fantasy game.
While the oddness can be more or less appealing depending on the player, it’s among the variables that kept me striving to enjoy Forspoken, and eventually, the sacrifice was worth it.
It’s a title with shortcomings in both gameplay and story. However, if you look beyond that and appreciate its strengths, you realize it may even be an underrated video game, especially for those of us who love being a magic user.
9 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13
Claire "Lightning" Farron
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13
Action RPG
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:60/100
Released November 21, 2013 ESRB t Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Crystal Tools Franchise Final Fantasy Platform(s) PS3, Xbox 360, PC OpenCritic Rating Weak Powered by
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Final Fantasy went through a period of unpopularity in which its installments didn’t generate much passion in the community, coinciding with the games starring Claire «Lightning» Farron.
However, being my first contact with the franchise after decades of disconnecting from its offerings, I can recognize Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 in particular is a great work.
I wouldn’t place it among my favorite Final Fantasy titles, but it’s a competent open-world JRPG that rivals its contemporaries in terms of creativity and authenticity.
While I also understand the reasons for many rating it as the trilogy’s weakest link, its philosophical richness makes this journey truly impactful, especially for those of us who enjoyed its predecessors.
8 Gravity Rush 2
Kat
Gravity Rush 2
Action Adventure
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:81/100 Critics Rec:74%
Released January 20, 2017 ESRB T For Teen due to Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Partial Nudity, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) JapanStudio Publisher(s) Sony Engine PhyreEngine Franchise Gravity Rush Platform(s) PlayStation 4 How Long To Beat 20 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by
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Regarding the series whose loss has pained me the most, I’ll never tire of mentioning Gravity Rush, one of the most painful losses in modern video games.
SIE Japan Studio’s creation is among the ones I have enjoyed most in the past decade, developing a deep affection for its universe and characters.
The wealth of concepts, designs, and innovations within the franchise is incredible, easily ranking among its generation’s most fascinating action-adventure titles despite their lack of popularity.
The sense of adventure, discovery, and charm generated by the first game and Gravity Rush 2 are worthy of affection, even more so considering they feature several of the most stunning traversal mechanics.
I doubt the series will ever be a staple again, but it’s worth the effort to make Kat’s adventures reach as many people as possible.
7 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Kassandra
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Action RPG Open-World
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:84/100 Critics Rec:83%
Released October 15, 2018 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language Developer(s) Ubisoft Quebec Publisher(s) Ubisoft Engine anvilnext Franchise Assassin's Creed Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Stadia How Long To Beat 45 Hours X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 75 GB (November 2023) Metascore 87 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs) 143 Hours OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by
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While I still think the original Assassin’s Creed games were better than their modern counterparts, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is an excellent open world.
When it comes to the formula that combines role-playing with vast maps and hundreds of activities to do, Kassandra and Alexios’ adventure works best, finding an extremely pleasing balance between action and exploration.
The setting, of course, greatly contributes to the game’s compelling feel. Yet, it’s its refinement of the Assassin’s Creed Origins structure that truly allows it to stand out, taking full advantage of the historical and mythological context in which it is established.
I prefer the more linear and focused approach of the Ezio and Altaïr games, but if I had to choose the franchise’s finest entry in the last decade, Odyssey would definitely be my choice.
6 Darksiders 3
Fury
Darksiders 3
Action RPG
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:68/100 Critics Rec:34%
Released November 27, 2018 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence Developer(s) Gunfire Games Publisher(s) THQ Nordic Engine Unreal Engine 4 Franchise Darksiders Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Stadia How Long To Beat 15 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium Wiki
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As the latest entry in one of the best trilogies in history, Darksiders 3 renews the franchise’s principles and offers an open-world hack-and-slash with Souls-like elements that work quite well.
Fury as a character even easily competes with War and Death for the title of the series’ best protagonist, thanks to her great character development and magnificent design.
With iconic bosses, many beautiful areas to explore, and plenty of secrets that encourage you to get lost in its destroyed world, it has the necessary scale to feel expansive without becoming overwhelming.
In time, Darksiders 3 will be vindicated as the great representative of the genre that it is. Until then, suffice it to say it’s excellent and every fan of good combat should try it without hesitation.
5 Mirror's Edge Catalyst
Faith Connors
Mirror's Edge: Catalyst
Action-AdventureAdventure Platformer
Released April 22, 2016 ESRB t Developer(s) DICE Publisher(s) DICE Engine frostbite Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One How Long To Beat 9 hours Powered by
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To say Mirror’s Edge Catalyst falls far short of its predecessor’s quality is a no-brainer, as is saying it’s completely underrated.
Faith Connors’ sequel sacrifices perfection and simplicity, but it makes up for this through its mechanical depth, finally allowing us to practice parkour with complete freedom.
Wandering across the rooftops of the City of Glass is magical, even if you’re doing it for the simple enjoyment of seeing the wonderful setting, animations, and sensations in action.
The story is once again bland, and the secondary objectives are just excuses for more things to do, but that’s precisely what I would have expected from a sequel to the best first-person platformer in history.
It’s more entertainment than substance, and in the process, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst easily becomes one of the most entertaining and unique open worlds on the market.
4 Rise of the Tomb Raider
Lara Croft
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Action
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:86/100 Critics Rec:89%
Released November 10, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Crystal Dynamics Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Foundation Engine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer Franchise Tomb Raider Platform(s) Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, Stadia, PlayStation 4 How Long To Beat 14 Hours X|S Optimized No File Size Xbox Series 30 GB (December 2023) PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by
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Lara Croft has gone through multiple generations and gameplay genres, but her most recent move toward open worlds has served this video game icon phenomenally well.
Since the 2013 reboot of Tomb Raider, the franchise’s approach has shifted considerably, with Rise of the Tomb Raider an outstanding title that manages to nail every element the formula proposes.
The combination of action and adventure with survival, stealth, and exploration components with complete freedom has changed the tone of the IP completely, revitalizing it to make it relevant again in modern times.
Rise of the Tomb Raider accomplishes the arduous task of putting a long-running franchise back on the map without losing its original fans but gaining new ones, which it achieves precisely because of the excellent combination of gameplay genres it presents.
Considering its tremendous and vibrant setting, stunning graphics, and interesting story, the overall package provides an unforgettable journey.
3 Horizon: Forbidden West
Aloy
Horizon Forbidden West
Action RPG
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:88/100 Critics Rec:96% 9.1/ 10
Released February 18, 2022 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Guerrilla Games Publisher(s) Sony Engine Decima Cross-Platform Play ps5, ps4 Cross Save Your save games will be transferable from PS4 consoles to PS5 consoles. Franchise Horizon Steam Deck Compatibility Unsupported Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 How Long To Beat 29 Hours X|S Optimized no Metascore 88 PS Plus Availability N/A OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by
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Horizon: Forbidden West builds on the foundation of the first installment in Aloy‘s series to offer among the best exclusives of all time.
Being the game with the most impressive graphics I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing, Guerrilla Games manages to capture Horizon: Zero Dawn’s best aspects and take them to the next level.
From exploration to side quests, including spectacular combat, rich biomes, and an even more compelling story, Forbidden West refines an excellent game and establishes Aloy as one of PlayStation’s most iconic protagonists.
Given the quality of its first two entries, it wouldn’t be surprising if it became one of the company’s flagships, as it has the quality, scale, and depth to provide even more memorable journeys.
Until that happens, recommending Horizon: Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West is simply what any good person would do.
2 Cyberpunk 2077
V
Cyberpunk 2077
RPG Action
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:76/100 Critics Rec:64% 8.2/ 10
Released December 10, 2020 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) CD Projekt Red Publisher(s) CD Projekt Red Engine REDengine 4 Cross-Platform Play ps, xbox, pc Cross Save yes Expansions Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Franchise Cyberpunk Number of Players Single-player Steam Deck Compatibility yes PC Release Date December 10, 2020 Xbox Series X|S Release Date February 15, 2022 PS5 Release Date February 15, 2022 Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date June 5, 2025 Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC How Long To Beat 25 Hours X|S Optimized Yes Metascore 75 PS Plus Availability N/A OpenCritic Rating Strong Wiki
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Since I feel this list wouldn’t be complete without a game where the protagonist is molded into the player’s image rather than a predetermined individual, I decided to select Cyberpunk 2077.
The freedom CD Projekt Red grants you in Night City to become your own person is astonishing, with endless possibilities to lead your life as you see fit to face this wonderful dystopian future.
With an extraordinary setting, fantastic characters, an almost unparalleled depth of gameplay customization, and an indescribable atmosphere, Cyberpunk 2077 is among the best open worlds of all time.
Regardless of how it came to market, the game has reached a point of refinement where all that remains is to applaud the developer for reversing the disastrous release.
If you add Phantom Liberty, try to see everything the game has to offer in both main and side content, and do a little role-playing, you’ll probably never want to leave Night City.
1 NieR: Automata
2B
NieR: Automata
Action RPG
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:89/100 Critics Rec:93% 9/ 10
Released March 7, 2017 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Platinum Games Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Proprietary Engine Franchise NieR Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch How Long To Beat 22 Hours OpenCritic Rating Mighty Wiki
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With one of the most shocking stories and among the most important JRPGs of the modern era, NieR: Automata is a true masterpiece.
No matter how you analyze PlatinumGames’ work, the only conclusion you can reach is that it’s part of the finest video games of our time, excelling from the smallest detail to the most notable.
Between its adrenaline-pumping gameplay, unforgettable characters, wonderful settings, perfect soundtrack, and an indescribable philosophical reflection on the human condition, NieR: Automata gives you goosebumps as if it were easy.
Its tremendous protagonists, including a 2B who has already become gaming history, make it extremely fitting to this list with Yoko Taro’s most outstanding piece.
After all, more than a video game, NieR: Automata is a reminder of video games’ countless possibilities, something only the most transcendental titles can achieve.
