Top 5 Most Inspirational Rare Women of the Xbox Era

by Lerako on Mar 8th, 2019

For much of the 1980’s, it seemed like video games were strictly a domain belonging to men, with rugged protagonists serving as avatars in an industry that was seemingly dominated by male bedroom coders, artists and designers. Since that time however, video games and the industry driving their development has become increasingly more diverse and accessible for everyone, with a cavalcade of female characters that have gone from damsels-in-distress to kicking all kinds of ass themselves. Over the course of their thirty year history, Rare has introduced the gaming world to vast number of iconic women in wider roles. In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’ve decided to highlight the best female protagonists during the Xbox era that have challenged adversity and came out on top. It was a struggle not to include some of Rare‘s memorable ladies (we’re looking at you, Leafos) but with only five entries the competition was very tough – still, at least she quite easily beat out the unsettling Seedos…
These are the Top 5 Most Inspirational Rare Women of the Xbox Era!

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#5. AMBER, MISCHIEF MISTRESS OF MANOR MASTERY – GRABBED BY THE GHOULIES (XBOX)

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Initially captured during the introduction of Rare‘s haunted house romp, Amber finds herself at odds with her boyfriends bumbling rescue attempts throughout the adventure. While the two manage to reconcile and leave Ghoulhaven Hall thanks to Cooper‘s efforts, Amber gets a chance to shine during the Bonus Book Challenges where players made of stronger stuff can lead her through “Kick’ Em Quick!”, “Dirty Laundry!” and “Bedtime Gory!” – a true onslaught of some of the most difficult scenarios. In order to truly show up her boyfriend however, Amber has the option of trouncing the Hall a second time during the “Play it again, Son” trial which tasks her with surviving each room with only 10 health and none of the Super Soups that had aided Cooper previously. You go, girl!

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#4. KAMEO, SHAPESHIFTING FEMME FATALE – KAMEO: ELEMENTS OF POWER (XBOX 360)

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Ushering in the Xbox 360 launch with Kameo: Elements of Power and Perfect Dark Zero, the lads and lasses from Twycross managed a one-two punch for female protagonists. On the fantastical side of things, Kameo‘s journey was one spurred on through revenge after Kalus had imprisoned her family and resurrected Thorn, the Ruler of the Trolls. While her fledgling confrontation at Thorn’s Castle results in the loss of her three Elemental Warriors, Kameo returns to form unabated, seeking out the remaining Elemental Warriors and purging the land of shadow in the process. Building to a climax on Thorns Airship after the Elfin heroine had amassed her full potential was an inspiring sight to see, with each Warriors ability showcasing just how far she had come from the introductory storming of the Castle.

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#3. ZARA, TEAM CAPTAIN OF THE VIPER NETWORK – KINECT SPORTS RIVALS (XBOX ONE)

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Strong leadership and a passion for competition is a requirement for every team captain in Kinect Sports Rivals and in the case of Blake and Vargu of the Eagle Legion and Wolf Clan, you’d be forgiven for thinking that raw machismo was a prerequisite as well. Enter Zara of the Viper Network – a no-nonsense ice queen whose only quality of warmth comes from the fire in her belly that drives her to win at all costs. As the only female Captain on the Island, Zara takes on the challenge in spades and refuses to give an inch to the Eagle Legion and Wolf Clan. If you’re vying for a spot on her team, you’ll need to have your skills on show and demonstrate that you can be trusted – Zara is a hard one to impress, but we’ve found ourselves stirred by her ruthless tactics for a Viper victory.

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#2. LARINNA, PIRATE LEGEND OF THE UNFORGIVEN – SEA OF THIEVES (XBOX ONE)

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Breeching the Devil’s Shroud as a stowaway, the pirate Larinna arrives on the Sea of Thieves without a ship and without a crew in the Athena’s Fortune novelization – with only a single gold piece in her boot, and a yearning for adventure, she embarks on a journey that would send lesser buccaneers to their watery graves. While a rowboat was to serve as her improvised banana stand, her bravery and guile would see her sailing the open seas on the Unforgiven, where her quick thinking with a Chest of Sorrows and a cannon would lead to the defeat of Captain Quince and his imposing ship, the Black Gauntlet. Alongside Little Ned, Faizel and Captain Adelheid, Larinna would become immortalized as a Pirate Legend for uncovering Athena’s Fortune at Tribute Peak.

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#1. JOANNA DARK, PERFECT AGENT – PERFECT DARK XBLA/ PERFECT DARK ZERO (XBOX 360)

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In the year 2020, the megacorporation dataDyne would have its first encounter with Joanna Dark, a bounty hunter who would swear vengeance after her father is murdered at their hands. Joining the Carrington Institute as an esteemed agent, Joanna spends the next three years rising through the ranks and earning the name ‘Perfect Dark’ through her flawless training scores. After her third campaign sees her rescuing a hostage from the bowels of dataDyne, Joanna finds herself propelled into a world of conspiracy and interstellar espionage where she saves the boss, saves the President and saves the world. Living up to her reputation in every sense of the word, we can’t slight her ‘Perfect’ record, and we can only hope that our future will have its own Agent Dark.

Categories: Top 5 Lists