Fear Through Her Eyes: Analyzing the Female Character in Horror Games

The Final Girl: it’s a trope that’s sure to resonate with any horror fan, regardless of their level of interest or devotion to the genre. Referential to the trend of horror media leaving a solitary female character as its “last person standing,” The Final Girl is generally defined as being that remaining woman or girl who’s left to confront whatever terror killed and/or eliminated the rest of said woman or girl’s group and initiate the final battle or confrontation. Although that’s all that’s necessary to qualify a character as a Final Girl, typically said girl also was comparatively innocent or naive prior to the horrific set of events she found herself forced into, is resourceful, is a brunette, and, over the course of the story, becomes a hardened survivor. As Carol J. Clover states in her book Men, Women, And Chain Saws: Gender In The Modern Horror Film, the trope was initially introduced into the horror genre in 1970’s and 80’s slasher films. However since then it’s burst into popularity, becoming practically a staple in horror movies.

While certainly not as prevalent as in horror movies (where I believe that the trope is in more movies than it’s not), horror video games have also not escaped the clutches of this prevalent trope. Rebecca Chambers from Resident Evil 0, Ripley from Alien: Isolation, and Ellie from The Last of Us are just two examples of the trope in action. While not all female protagonists in horror/thriller games technically fall under this trope – some were never in groups, some had a few others survive alongside them – many embody at least one or two qualifications, particularly the quest to overcome all odds so crucial to the “scary” aspect of horror movies. And while horror games have some of the largest amounts of female characters (and protagonists in particular), I’ve struggled with how to view these female characters in terms of proper representation and feminist-friendliness for the longest time.

On one hand, female protagonists have a slightly more noticeable presence in horror video games than in other game genres, and generally when they are featured, they’re strong and admirable. They’re smart, often using their wits to get them out of the horrible situations they find themselves, which positively paints the power of intelligence. They develop into characters capable of taking care of themselves if they’re not already more than able to do so, assuming resourcefulness often attributed only to male characters. Plus, in a genre where immersion into the plight and experience of the main character is even more crucial than typically necessary due to the context of these games and their inherently frightening and startling nature, compelling a predominantly male player base to sympathize with and embrace the stories of these female characters is certainly a good thing.

However, on the other hand I question why female characters are seen as fitting protagonists in horror games more often than, say, action or adventure games and whether this has any roots in traditional gender roles. It is, after all, often acknowledged that female characters are left as the last surviving characters and have their first-hand experiences highlighted in these situations in order to increase the amount of fear the viewer, or in this case the player, experiences. This draws upon old, tired gender norms that women are naturally weaker or more vulnerable, theorizing that this may make the fear more palpable and intense. Although these female characters demonstrate their capability and their inner strength, does that weigh out the fact that even the slightest perceived bit of vulnerability makes her a target and a tool for inducing greater fear. This isn’t even mentioning any “instinctual” reaction to save or take care of the female character the game might try and create within the player.

In the end, I’m still torn on whether it’s appropriate to showcase female characters from horror games as feminist icons when, in all likelihood, they are at least partially being used to “up” the frightening tension. Regardless of my or even your own personal answer to this question, I think it’s important to at least examine all of these angles when considering the role of female characters in horror video games.

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