Why Horizon: Zero Dawn is a breakthrough in feminist gaming
Since I set eyes on Horizon: Zero Dawn’s beautiful background and fierce female hero, I knew I’d have to play it. I love gaming, but, like many women, feel a disconnect with the video game world. Female heroes are few and far between, and usually their big boobs and tiny waists are stand-ins for actual character development.
My favorite game, since I was a child, has been Tomb Raider. I fell in love with RPG exploration and the journey of a great storyline. In 2013, I fell in love with Lara Croft all over again.
YES, I thought, this is a feminist game, finally! And it is, especially by gaming standards. TR 2013, and Rise of the Tomb Raider in 2015, still leave many improvements to be desired, but it resonated with me to play from a female perspective and to experience well-developed, realistic characters.
Whatever feelings I have for TR, Horizon: Zero Dawn blew it out of the water.
What drew me to the game was a blog anticipating the release of HZD as one of the first truly feminist storylines. Aloy is a young woman in a land full of dangerous machines. Raised an outcast, Aloy has never know her true parents or why she was cast out as a child. Her journey starts as one of self-discovery.
