When thinking about badass women from video games, players can’t be blamed for automatically considering characters from triple-A titles like The Last of Us’ Ellie. However, there are a number of female protagonists from indie games that can be just as interesting (sometimes even more so).
From the relatable Mae in Night of the Woods to the iconic Frisk in Undertale, the most iconic female characters from indie games are often brave protagonists with unique and often emotional backstories that motivate them on their adventures.
Tilia – Ocean’s Heart
Considered by some Zelda games, as it’s clearly inspired by the franchise’s visual style and mechanics. That said, it tells its own captivating story that follows an instantly likable protagonist named Tilia.
Tilia’s main quest and the general goal of the game is to find her father, whose mysterious disappearance has prompted her epic journey through a flooded kingdom filled with fearsome monsters. It’s easy to root for the courageous character who never backs down from a fight.
Madeline – Celeste
Celeste is an infamously unforgiving game with hundreds of well-designed levels that will be challenging for even the most experienced players. The difficult platformer is also known for its moving story that is perfectly complemented by its gameplay.
The title tells the story of a young woman named Madeline and explores her feelings and thoughts as she climbs the titular mountain, all the while trying to overcome her inner demons. The goal to reach the summit is almost as tough as the protagonist’s struggles with her mental health, which changes as she learns more about herself along the way.
Mae Borowski – Night In The Woods
Players shouldn’t let Night in the Woods’ muted color palette and relaxing soundtrack trick them into thinking it’s a lighthearted game, as its narrative packs a surprisingly emotional punch.
It follows the story of the college dropout Mae, who must dive into a nostalgic journey through her hometown. Her friends, family, and even her town have mysteriously changed – and it’s not just because of how long she’s been away. Mae’s efforts to repair relationships and rediscover the town she grew up in is a poignant story of self-discovery and acceptance.
Florence – Florence
Florence is a slice-of-life indie adventure game that is centered on the moving love story of its eponymous protagonist and a man named Krish. It’s a straightforward title where players are tasked with solving puzzles to make sense of Florence’s thoughts.
The story-driven title mostly uses these puzzles to highlight Florence’s feelings. The average 20-something who nonchalantly goes through her boring routines is an immediately relatable character, which is why it’s easy to feel invested and protective when she starts a relationship with Krish. He eventually breaks this routine and changes Florence in the process – players have to find out for themselves if that’s a good or a bad thing.
Claire – A Short Hike
While gamers may be drawn to A Short Hike’s vibrant and adorable visuals at first, it’s the gameplay and the sweet protagonist that will keep them playing until the end. The adventure game has a host of interesting characters and beautiful locations for its protagonist to meet and explore.
Claire is an anthropomorphic bird who is struggling to find cellphone reception, so she decides to hike to the top of a mountain. It’s a deceptively simple premise that soon makes way for a more profound message about learning to appreciate the journey more than the goal.
Carto – Carto
Carto is a fun puzzle game with genuinely novel gameplay mechanics, as it tasks players with moving pieces of the map around to literally transform the world around them. Of course, none of it would be possible without the lovable main character, Carto.
The eponymous protagonist finds herself lost on an island after being separated from Granny. Thankfully, she knows how to use her powerful map to control and navigate the world. Despite being a silent character who only replies in ellipses, Carto is easy to fall in love with, in large part thanks to her tendency to put others first by helping them solve their own personal puzzles.
Stella – Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is an increasingly popular management simulation title that thrusts players into a magical world full of colorful characters. Gamers control Stella, the newly-appointed Spiritfarer, as she learns about what her role entails.
Dialogue is a central part of the game, as Stella has to understand exactly what the spirits she needs to guide to the Everdoor want from her. As she talks to these spirits, fans will see that she’s a kindhearted and courageous individual who genuinely cares for others. It’s those qualities that make her such a compelling character, not to mention the fact that she’s a cat person.
The Murderer – Overboard!
Overboard! flips the script of the typical whodunnit story by immediately revealing that it is, in fact, the protagonist who has done it. The goal in the humorous but sometimes stressful title is to escape suspicion and get away with the perfect crime of killing the protagonist’s husband.
It all unfolds like a true-crime narrative, except players are actively involved in it and are helping the villain. They’ll soon find that the killer’s charming act is more convincing than they thought, as her comedic moments and witty lines are some of the best aspects of the quirky game.
Frisk – Undertale
Undertale is a title that needs no introduction, as it’s known for having one of the greatest video game narratives of all time. The game heavily relies on players’ decisions at every step, with each one influencing the story and its conclusion.
Players control the child, Frisk (also known as The Human), who embarks on a wild adventure after falling into the Underground. What makes her such an interesting character is that she’s delightfully ambiguous, as her reactions and dialogue genuinely represent the choices the players make. She can either be a merciful protagonist or a violent one – it all depends on which routes gamers choose to take.
Kena – Kena: Bridge Of Spirits
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an indie title with unbelievably gorgeous graphics that make it look more like an AAA game. Its striking world is only made better by its endearing characters, especially the adorable “Rot,” which become Kena’s helpful companions.
Kena’s role as a spirit guide unsurprisingly leads to some tear-jerking moments, as it’s her job to help NPCs move on and cross over after their deaths. Her story may be too straightforward for some players, but it nevertheless fits perfectly with the stunning world and all of its fantastical creatures.