Can we stop rescuing princesses already?

Logodae · 2006-01-03T04:56:46

I don't really have time to game much, so possibly the handful of PS2 titles I've played have given me the wrong impression. But between me and my sister, we've got three RPGs and a... okay, apparently it's an action/adventure/puzzle game. And three out of four of 'em have at least one "damsel in distress" as a primary plot element, to be saved by the male hero. (Though since Dragon Quest VIII prompted my sister for a name without informing her of the gender of its protagonist, he's now the proverbial "boy named Sue.") I realize that male gamers outnumber female gamers, by a lot... but still. Surely there are other plots to explore. Surely one could have strong female characters that would still appeal to male players... without being so blatantly sexualized as to turn off most female players. FYI, the fourth game is Suikoden III, which, between Chris and Cecile, nearly makes up for the excess of princess-rescuing by itself, so I suppose that answers my questions. It would be nice to see more of that, though. So... anyone designing RPGs around here, or was this a Lounge post, really? :P