Female Stereotypes in RPGs

by Shayera the Starsword 

Submitted by:	shayera9@hotmail.com (Shayera the Starsword)
Spelling	2
Grammar	1.5
Coherency	3.5
Strength of Arguments	3
Presentation	3
Originality	2
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Total	15
Grade

I am a 19-year-old female - a woman. Do I hear a gasp? Yes, women do play RPGs, and I don't see why not? I like RPGs for the same reasons you guys do - the story, the characters, the music, strategic and innovative battles, and the epic struggle to save the world. I just happen to be a woman.

This editorial is on the roles of female characters in RPGs, as I see them. I've given the matter some thought and picked out the three most common female stereotypes - of course male characters are often stereotypes as well, but that's another editorial. The three types are:

- The "gentle healer" type. She's frequently the girlfriend or love interest of the hero. This is the oldest stereotype, and all the classic princesses that need to be saved fall into this category. Other examples are Rosa from Final Fantasy IV, Lenna from Final Fantasy V, Aeris from Final fantasy VII, Rinoa from Final Fantasy VIII, Marle from Chrono Trigger, Rena from Star Ocean 2, the girl in Secret of Mana... The list could go on forever. This is the type of women I always end up hating when I play. However, they always turn out to be either necessary in battle due to their healing abilities, or necessary in the storyline due to their connections with the Hero.

- The "strong" type. Women with strong attack power, especially physical, fall into this category. In the storyline, they are more independent, since they are not immediately associated with a boyfriend. In many cases, they seem to act as a counterweight to the "gentle healer". This kind has actually existed in RPGs since the time of Final Fantasy IIj, with Layla, who was a pirate captain. Other examples are Faris from Final Fantasy V, Tifa from Final Fantasy VII, Quistis from Final Fantasy VIII, Ayla from Chrono Trigger and Lise from Seiken Densetsu 3. I usually like these kind of characters (I'm a fan of Faris), but sometimes I find them too exaggerated (like Ayla).

- The "perky/cute" type. Little girls and/or spoiled brats that seems to be there either to annoy you or charm you... I tend to be annoyed. I think Final Fantasy IV was first game that had type, and there, she was paired with a boy (Porom and Palom). Others are Cara from Final Fantasy V, Relm from Final Fantasy VI, Yuffie from Final Fantasy VII, Selphie from Final Fantasy VIII, Carlie from Seiken Densetsu 3 and Chelsea from Tales of Destiny. What can I say? I hardly ever use these characters unless I have no choice. Why do they have to be girls, though? Is there a good reason I haven't seen a "perky/cute" boy since Palom?

Of course, all females don't fall easily into these three types, as these are just generalizations. For example, I have a hard time placing Terra and Celes from Final Fantasy VI (I guess both of them goes somewhere between "gentle" and "strong"). Two of my all-time favorite RPG girls are also hard placed. They are Lucca from Chrono Trigger, who must be somewhere between "strong" and "perky", (although I'd prefer to call her "smart" and "with an attitude") and Rutee of Tales of Destiny, who is "strong" in the story line (she does fall in love, but not in the cheesy way) and "gentle healer" in battle (this is her Swordian's fault, it doesn't fit with her personality at all).

Some roles in an RPG have yet to be filled by females, as far as I know. I would like to see, for example, the "cool" character (a la Magus (Chrono Trigger), Kain (Final Fantasy IV), Shadow (Final Fantasy VI), Vincent (Final Fantasy VII), Leon (Tales of Destiny) etc.) be a woman. Faris came close, but not quite. Also, I would really like to see a male "gentle healer". That'd be original!

Would I like more female protagonists? I don't really care. I'm so used to "taking the role" of a male in RPGs that it would almost feel weird. Sure, if they handled it as well Terra in FF6 - she's a good character. However, in Star Ocean 2, for example, I had a choice, and I didn't hesitate in choosing Claude as my main character. Rena is... well, she's the "gentle healer", and I don't like those much. I like Claude a lot, though. I was really surprised when I browsed the net later and found out that most people like Rena better!

Finally, I'll give an opinion on females as "eye candy" in the games. Honestly, if the guys who play RPGs like pretty girls, it's OK with me. I don't know if you've noticed, but MALES can be eye candy as well... Ah, those anime bishounen! ^_~

Notes:
An entertaining editorial, with a refreshingly candid viewpoint - the editorial's light style makes it extremely easy to read and the analysis of the female characters in RPGs today is fairly complete, covering most of the major stereotypes. It's a fairly original editorial - there've been other editorials on this subject, but very few.

Unfortunately, the editorial doesn't wind down well - upon reaching the last paragraph you're waiting for an opinion and then you're told the author doesn't really have one, just that it's OK. It rather spoils the good headway the editorial was making. As for errors, there's one minor grammatical error: "both of them goes somewhere" should obviously be "both of them go somewhere".