Reviews by Kyle Ellis

First appearance: The Last of Us 2

When we first meet Ellie, she’s a brave but distrustful 14-year-old trying her best to survive in a world where man-eating fungi zombies are only half of her problems.

As it turns out, other people are still the biggest danger after the zombie apocalypse.

Ellie learns this the hard way during the first game. And all that fear, rage, and resentment are only part of what drives her forward during The Last of Us 2.

She’s one of the most complex and [Link removed - login to see] of the last few years. And anyone who’s experienced trauma at the hands of other people can relate deeply to this tragic but resilient character.

First appearance: Bioshock Infinite (2013)

Part of your objective while playing Bioshock Infinite is to find and protect Elizabeth – the daughter of the puritan maniac running the show in Columbia.

She’s a bit scared and confused after you break her out of her cage. But in time, you’ll realize there’s a lion inside her delicate exterior.

She’s fierce – and her power to open inter-dimensional rifts by tearing the space-time continuum apart helps cement her as a bad-ass.

She’s also a surprisingly free spirit for someone who spent so much time locked up in a tower.

First appearance: Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (2018)

Kassandra is the best main character in the Assassin’s Creed franchise since the legendary Ezio Auditore, thanks to her charismatic personality and badass way of solving problems.

Assassin’s Creed took a turn toward hack-and-slash combat in recent years.

While sneaking around remains an aspect of gameplay, there’s barely anything stopping you from waltzing in and beating everyone to a pulp – and as a Misthios (mercenary), that’s how Kassandra likes to go about it.

If you find romance in every port in-between wiping the floor with Malakas entertaining, Kassandra’s bold personality will resonate with you on a spiritual level.

First appearance: Silent Hill 3 (2003)

An often overlooked but cool gal from the early 2000s is Heather Mason – the daughter of Silent Hill’s original protagonist and the main character of SH3.

Well, she’s not exactly his daughter.

She’s the reincarnation of Alessa Gillespie – the source of Silent Hill’s curse – and Cheryl Mason, who Harry fails to rescue in the first game.

This makes her the target of a sinister cult, which kick-starts the events of the game.

She’s a fantastic protagonist that’s a true badass, while remaining authentic and human.

It’s not that the horror and insanity don’t get to her. But she believes suffering is a part of life, and she moves forward regardless.

First appearance: Dragon Age: Origins (2009)

It’s often those with the most power that feel the most vulnerable, and Morrigan is a prime example.

Raised in the Korcari Wilds by her mother, Flemeth, Morrigan was supposed to become a younger vessel for her mother’s soul.

Her harsh upbringing and the realization that even her mother saw her merely as a tool made Morrigan self-serving and profoundly distrustful of others.

Every time we see her, she seeks out power to oppose her godly progenitor.

This has made her incredibly powerful (and cool), but it will never ease her fears.

If you believe in a dog-eat-dog world, you can never be at peace.

First appearance: Mass Effect (2007)

Commander Shepard is usually depicted as male. But that’s up to the player to choose at the beginning of each Mass Effect game.

If you ask me, XX chromosomes suit the commander of the N7 much better.

This one-woman army is driven, resolute, and even a little crazy when push comes to shove – and she must do the impossible to protect her friends and peace in the galaxy.

Some of her crazy plans can result in some major screw-ups. But you can’t save all life in the universe from the Reapers without causing some races to go extinct, right?

First appearance: Dragon Age Origins (2009)

My first game in the Dragon Age franchise was DA: Inquisition, where Leliana acts as your master of whispers and takes care of all the dark dealings needed to keep the Inquisition running.

I quickly fell in love with the character (who isn’t romance-able in DAI, because life is unfair like that).

And as I went back to the first two games in the series, my respect only deepened.

Her character development from a religious bard to the hot female version of Varys the Spider is just fantastic to watch – plus, she’s a viable romance option in DA: Origins.

First appearance: Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012)

I love characters that put in the work – and Isabelle must be one of the most quietly hard-working characters in a Nintendo franchise.

I’m not only talking about her job as the major’s assistant in AC: New Leaf, but her work outside of the screen as well.

Slowly but surely, Isabelle has become [Link removed - login to see] of the AC franchise, earning her a place on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

This cheerful doggy is a crucial part of Animal Crossing’s wholesome appeal and easily the game’s best girl.

First appearance: Final Fantasy X (2001)

Final Fantasy X is told through the perspective of weird-laughing blitzball star Tidus, but the story centers around Yuna – the true protagonist on a quest to protect the world.

Yuna is loving and caring, but also highly dutiful.

That’s what we see during the original game, where she’s willing to lay down her life if it means protecting Spira from Sin.

What makes Yuna such a special character is her transformation for FFX-2, where we see her pursuing her desires and objectives rather than fulfilling a duty.

Her visual redesign is much more comfortable, modern, and even a bit sexy to reflect her newfound freedom.