To continue our celebration of all the incredible women in gaming, we asked around the Overclockers UK office, for everyone’s favourite female video game characters and put together our list of the top five badass gaming women.
Lara Croft – Tomb Raider:
Lara Croft is the protagonist of the infamous Tomb Raider series.
An archaeologist, treasure hunter, and tomb raider, throughout the franchise Croft embarks on a series of thrilling adventures on the hunt for powerful and deadly artifacts. Her iconic ponytail, tank top, shorts, and combat boots have been a staple icon in the gaming industry, and even many Halloween costumes.
Way back in 1996, Croft made her first debut in the original Tomb Raider game, and since then has been a fixture in all seventeen games spread across PC and console. She has even made appearances in a series of Tomb Raider comic books, animated television shows, and movies!
The Tomb Raider series currently holds six official Guinness World Records, such as ‘’Best Selling Video Game Heroine’’.
Official PC System Specification for Tomb Raider I-III Remastered
| Minimum | |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 or later |
| Processor | Intel i3 3240 or AMD FX 1400 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GT730 or AMD R7 240 |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 5GB available space |
| Additional | The Steam Client now requires Windows 10 or later |
Top PC to Play Tomb Raider I-III Remastered
OcUK Gaming Radiance Frosty MK2 PC:
The OcUK Gaming Radiance Frosty MK2 comes packed with all the essential hardware you need to enjoy playing Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. This includes an Intel i5 11400F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU. Enjoy powerful performance and ultra-fast speeds, along with realistic visuals with smooth frame rates for an immersive gaming experience. What’s more, with a 500GB M.2 SSD and optional add-on drives, you will have plenty of storage space for Tomb Raider, all your other favourite games, and much more.
In addition to this, the OcUK Gaming Firefly Essential is a configurable PC. This means you can make adjustments to the base hardware specification, to ensure this computer perfectly meets your individual preferences. This includes customising the PC case, memory, operating system, and opting for additional storage drives.
- Configurable gaming PC
- As standard includes an Intel i5 11400F and NVIDIA RTX 3060
- Up to 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Flexible storage options available
The original 1-3 Tomb Raider games have received an update! Now with modern-day visuals and improvements to gameplay, to make reliving your favourite moments even easier.
GLaDOS – Portal:
We can’t talk about badass gaming women without mentioning the intelligent AI, GLaDOS from Portal.
The antagonist of the Portal series, GLaDOS (General Lifeform and Disk Operating System) resides in the Aperture Science Laboratories. In both Portal and Portal 2, GLaDOS subjects Chell to a series of challenging puzzles and tests, for the promise of cake (We’ve been there Chell, we’ve been there). All whilst hiding her real motivation – to kill Chell.
Well until she gets transformed into a potato battery…
Whilst GLaDOS’s manipulation of Chell and malice is cruel, she is a still fan favourite and has become a symbol of the Portal series. Mainly because of her witty, sarcastic jokes and remarks proving that an AI is in fact funnier than me.
Official PC System Specification for Portal with RTX
| Minimum | Recommended | Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 – 11 | Windows 10 – 11 | Windows 10 – 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 6700 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel i7 6700 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel i7 12700K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900 |
| Memory | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM | 32GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX 3060 | NVIDIA RTX 3080 | NVIDIA RTX 4080 |
| Storage | 25GB available space | 25GB available space | 25GB available space |
Top PC to Play Portal
OcUK Gaming Kalis PC:
You’ll have everything you need to solve GLaDOS’s deadly puzzles with the OcUK Gaming Kalis. This gaming PC has been built utilising an AMD Ryzen 5 5500 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060, for seamless performance in single- and multi-threaded tasks, plus enhanced Ray Tracing capabilities. Thanks to the Ray Tracing compatible graphics card, you’ll be able to enjoy playing both the original and Portal with RTX.
What’s more, since the OcUK Gaming Kalis is a configurable system, you can choose to customise the PC case, GPU, WiFi, operating system, and add extra storage drives.
- Configurable gaming PC
- Customisable base hardware specification
- As standard includes an AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and NVIDIA RTX 3060
- Up to 16GB DDR4 RAM
You can now experience Portal in stunning photo-realistic quality, thanks to support for Real-Time Ray Tracing. Our in-depth blog article has all the details you need!
Amanda Ripley – Alien Isolation:
Daughter of Ellen Ripley, Amanda is the protagonist in Alien Isolation.
Fifteen years after the disappearance of her mother, Ripley follows her mother’s dangerous footsteps, desperate to uncover the truth of what really happened on the Nostromo. Embarking on a deadly journey to the Sevastopol, only to uncover the same terrifying force that killed her mother.
She earned her rightful place on our badass gaming women list due to her gut-wrenching plight and battle for survival, just to uncover the truth.
Like mother like daughter, Ripley is a force to be reckoned with. She is capable of embarking on this deadly journey, taking on multiple terrifying Aliens, and the unforgiving Weyland-Yutani Corporation. All whilst dealing with her own emotions of grief, loss, and self-discovery.
Official PC System Specification for Alien Isolation
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 | Windows 7 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo 3.16GHz or equivalent | Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 or AMD Phenom II X4 955 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 or AMD Radeon HD 5550 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon R9 200 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Network | Broadband Internet Connection required | Broadband Internet Connection required |
| Storage | 35GB available space | 35GB available space |
Top PC to Play Alien Isolation
OcUK Gaming Tanto PC:
Harness the OcUK Gaming Tanto for superior performance in Alien Isolation and many more of your favourite games. Take advantage of the Intel 12th Gen CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU, for effortless multitasking, workload management, and photo-realistic visuals at up to 1440p resolutions. Plus, with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, wave goodbye to pesky slow loading times and enjoy smooth performance, with near-zero latency.
- Configurable gaming PC
- As standard includes an Intel i3 12100F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Flexible storage options
Want even more Alien games to play? Check out our favourite Alien games.
Jill Valentine – Resident Evil:
Jill Valentine is one of the original female protagonists of the Resident Evil series.
Appearing as both a member of S.T.A.R.S. and an ordinary citizen, Valentine has appeared in several different games across the series. The most notable of which is Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, where she debuted as the main character desperate to escape the outbreak in Raccoon City. If being trapped in a city on the brink of a zombie apocalypse wasn’t enough, Valentine is also being hunted by a deadly bioweapon, named Nemesis.
Valentine has incredible nerves of steel, a fact that is even noted in official documents in-game. Her character has been recognised for her positive female representation in video games, since she is just as strong and skilled as the male counterparts in the series.
What’s more, she has also been listed in the Guinness World Records Gamers Edition, as one of the most iconic video game characters, and has even earnt several cameos in different games. This includes Marvel vs Capcom 2, Street Fighter, and Dead by Daylight.
Official PC System Specification for Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 4460 or AMD FX 6300 | Intel Core i7 3770 or AMD FX 9590 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 460 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480 |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Network | Internet Broadband Connection required | Internet Broadband Connection required |
| Storage | 45GB available space | 45GB available space |
Top PC to Play Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
Refract Gaming Jade Pre-built PC:
The Refract Gaming Jade has been expertly crafted for mid-tier gaming and budding content creators. Built utilising high-quality cherry-picked hardware, this pre-built system features an AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti GPU. Unlock powerful performance and intelligent workload management, that is perfect for both work and play! What’s more, with built-in support for Real-Time Ray Tracing and AI DLSS, enjoy silky smooth frame rates with immersive visuals.
Each PC in the Refract Gaming range comes equipped with a three-year warranty, which also covers parts and labour, for extra peace of mind.
- Pre-built gaming PC
- Includes an AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU and NVIDA RTX 4060 Ti GPU
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- Comes with a three-year warranty, which covers parts and labour
No Resident Evil inspired gaming set-up is complete without a high-quality gaming chair to match.
- Officially licensed design
- Built from high-tech vinyl upholstery with cold foam padding
- Adjustable ergonomics
- 4D armrests
- Red stitching and embroidery to resemble DNA and the Umbrella Corporation
Commander Shepard – Mass Effect:
Appearing in numerous games in the Mass Effect series, Commander Shepard is the main protagonist. Their gender, appearance, skills, and history are all customisable – however, for our badass gaming women list, we’ll be using Commander Jane Shepard, voiced by Jennifer Hale.
As a veteran solider of the Systems Alliance Navy and an N7 graduate, Shepard must work to defeat and stop the Reapers, a machine race determined to destroy all organic life.
We added Commander Shepard to our top five list simply because it all depends on the choices and actions of the player. In the end, it is the player who writes her story and becomes the strong, influential character.
Official PC System Specification for Mass Effect Legendary Edition
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 3570 or AMD FX 8340 | Intel Core i5 3570 or AMD FX 8340 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD Radeon 7970 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD Radeon 7970 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 120GB available space | 120GB available space |
Top PC to Play Mass Effect Legendary Edition
OcUK Gaming Radiance Crossbow PC:
Level up your gaming performance with the OcUK Gaming Radiance Crossbow. Armed with an AMD Ryzen 5500 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, achieve ultra-fast processing speeds in both single- and multi-threaded tasks, along with photo-realistic visuals. What’s more with a 1TB M.2 SSD and the option for a secondary SSD and HDD, you will have all the storage space you need for your expanding gaming library and more!
The OcUK Gaming Radiance Crossbow is a configurable system. This means you can make adjustments to the base hardware specification. Including customising the case, upgrading the CPU, memory, and graphics card, along with opting for additional storage drives.
- Configurable gaming PC
- Includes an AMD Ryzen 5550 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU
- Up to 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Flexible storage options available, including a 1TB M.2, and optional hard drive
Did We Include Your Favourite?
There are so many badass gaming women, we know we’ve missed a fair few off our list. If we did miss off your favourite or biggest inspiration – be sure to let us know who is it and why in the comments below.
*Prices correct at time of writing and PC specs are subject to change.
- 10 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
Read More >>