There are many reasons why people game.  A few come to mind; to escape the boring, banal everyday world around you, to shoot things in a safe (and legal) setting or to blow off some steam at the end of a hard work day.

There also might be another reason, one that some may have a hard time admitting to.  I’m just going to throw it out there…..because the main character is scorching HOT! 

This week’s top ten list focuses on just a few of these femme fatales, characters you’ll love to play and will never forget.

10) Princess Zelda

The Legend of Zelda games debuted in 1986 on the original Nintendo gaming system, and you can now find her in the Zelda games for Wii. The main goal of the game is to save your fair princess from death and destruction. She is usually kidnapped at the beginning of the game and it’s up to you to save her. To date, she has appeared in every game except The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. However, Zelda is far from helpless. In most iterations she possesses psychic or magical powers, such as teleportation and telepathy. What are you waiting for, get going, save your woman! 

9) Ms. Pac-Man

Pac-Man’s leading lady debuted in 1981 on the Atari system.  In 2009, Game Informer ranked Ms. Pac-Man 10th on their list of "The Top 200 Games of All Time," saying that it "trumped [the original Pac-Man] in nearly every way."  It was originally an unauthorized sequel but became one of the most popular video games of all time. 

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8) Women of The Saboteur -- Veronique and Skylar

The Saboteur was released in Dec. 2009 on all formats (Sony’s PS3, Xbox 360 and PC), and is a third person action-adventure game set during World War II in German-occupied France.  Leading gaming magazine, IGN, rated The Saboteur a 7.5/10, praising its soundtrack, black and white into color transitions, and its  "cheap thrills."  Veronique is a female freedom fighter and a key character in the storyline. She is also the main character’s love interest.  However, there is competition on the horizon.  Skylar is the sexy, friend-with-benefits who is working as a British SOE (Special Operations Executive).  If this love triangle wasn’t enough, you also have the choice to unlock “The Midnight Show.”  The show allows the player full access to the adult clubs in Paris.  This is definitely an adult game as you can buy lap dances and watch burlesque shows during your spare time.     

7) Women of Uncharted -- Elena Fisher and Chloe Frazer

Uncharted 2 was released for Sony’s PS3 in Oct. 2009.  IGN awarded it with “game of the year” honors, and since then, it has won an additional 24 awards.  Uncharted 2 features competitive and co-operative multiplayer formats.   If you choose co-op multiplayer, it allows for a maximum of 3 players to take on the roles of Drake, Elena or Chloe.  The game features missions involving gunfights, extensive climbing and teamwork-based objectives.  Chloe is Drake’s current partner and love interest.  She is as tough and capable as she is beautiful.  She is good with a gun and a great ally to have on your side during missions.  Elena, your ex-girlfriend from the first Uncharted, shows up and has evolved as a character.  She steps up to the plate and will take on anyone who threatens the group.  Who will win out in this love triangle?  You’ll have to play to find out. 

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6) Women of Left 4 Dead 1 and 2 -- Zoey and Rochelle

L4D debuted in Nov. 2008 on Xbox 360 and PC, and quickly became a gaming favorite.   The second incantation quickly followed in Nov. 2009.  L4D contains four game modes: campaign, versus, survival and single player.  It’s the best cooperative first person shooter game on the market.  It was named “Best Multiplayer Game of 2008” by IGN, Gamespy, Spike TV and BAFTA.  It also won the “Computer Game of the Year” by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS).  In the first L4D, the female character is Zoey.  Besides having a great name, Zoey (Age: 18) was designed to resemble actress Sonja Kinski.  She is good with a gun and isn’t afraid to get her hands filthy.  Rochelle (Age: 29) stars in the second L4D, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind when it comes to surviving a zombie apocalypse.  

5) Bayonetta

Bayonetta first jumped onto the gaming scene in Jan. 2010.  She stars in the self titled single-player 3D action game and is a force to be reckoned with.  The gamer has the choice of whether to use melee and/or long ranged attacks, complex combo strings and multiple weapons.  Bayonetta’s signature move is the hair whip, she uses her long pony tail to punish aggressors.  She also has the ability to control time, which is referred to as "Witch Time" in her world.  GamesRadar gave the game 10 out of 10.  

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4) Sheva Alomar -- Resident Evil 5

RE5 debuted in March 2009 on PS3 and Xbox 360, and falls under the category of survival horror, third person shooter.  In the first three weeks of release, the game sold over 2 million units.  As of Sept. 2009, the game sold more than 5 million copies worldwide, becoming the best selling single title of the Resident Evil franchise.  Before the end of “life as we know it,” Sheva was an agent from the B.S.A.A (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance)West African Branch.  She is a versatile fighter with extensive experience in the field.  Her physically fit stature allows her to pull off physical attacks that her partner, Chris, could never dream of attempting. 

3) Rubi Malone — Wet

Rubi made her debut in Sept. 2009 on PS3 and Xbox 360.  It is best described as an acrobatic shooter with a Hollywood feel because the main character is voiced by “Tru Calling” actress Eliza Dushku.   It’s a fair comparison to say that it’s like playing “Kill Bill” in the world of “Sin City.” 

The main character, Rubi, carries twin pistols (which appear to be revolvers, but as the game progresses, you can unlock dual shotguns, sub-machine guns or crossbows) and a sword. 

Rubi has a fearless agility, she can fire while jumping, sliding on her knees and running on walls.  She is a working class, samurai sword weilding assassin.  She is confident, tough, sexy, athletic, deadly and high body counts are her specialty.   WET has received moderate to positive reviews, GameSpot praised the game's mechanics and soundtrack.

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2)  Violette Summer -- Velvet Assassin

Velvet Assassin is based on the real life story of British SOE agent Violette Szabo.  The game was released in April 2009 on all formats and is a single player stealth action video game for Xbox 360 and the PC.  Violette was noticed by the allied secret services because she was beautiful but deadly, athletic and paid attention to every detail.  She was asked to spy deep behind enemy lines in order to defeat the nazis and to save already captured high ranking officials within the Allied forces.  GameSpot’s review called the story “competent, as well as powerful,” and awarded the game a 7.5/10 score.  The game takes a disturbing look at the horrors of World War II, and it is hard to avoid an emotional tie to the character.  Does Violette make it out alive?  You’ll have to play to find out. 

And last but not least......

1)    Lara Croft -- Tomb Raider Series

We first met Lara in 1996’s Tomb Raider, and she has gone on to star in the 9 subsequent games in the franchise.  TR Underworld is a single player, action adventure game that promises to deliver plenty of swimming, diving, rock climbing and treasure hunting in ancient and hazardous tombs.   Lara Croft is considered by critics and fans as one of the most significant game characters in pop culture and is, by far, the most famous female video game character ever.   Lara is beautiful. Intelligent, athletic and has one hell of an accent. 

Lara Croft was named a girl hero in the 2002 text by Aussie lecturer Susan Hopkins, Girl Heroes: The New Force In Popular Culture. 

Movie execs saw the box office potential in Lara so they asked Angelina Jolie to bring her to life in “Tomb Raider” in 2001 and then again in the sequel “Cradle of Life” in 2003.   At the time, Angelina was quoted as saying that she considered the role a "big responsibility." She delivered, both films went on to gross a staggering $431 million worldwide.

Well, what are you waiting for ladies…..go to it.  Game on! 

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