
Few media products receive as much flak as video games for their treatment of women. Whether it’s excluding girls and women from the demographic entirely when marketing games, rarely having female protagonists, or showing women as scantily clad and heavily sexualized during gameplay, one can think of a million examples of questionable representation.
But in terms of positive representation, the first game that comes to mind is Mirror’s Edge: the blue-tinged, dystopian world occupied by a host of dynamic characters. And the face of it all is an agile, strong, East-Asian woman named Faith, who sets out on a mission to save her sister. It’s a welcome respite from the myriad of male dominated first-person shooters and running games.
The striking thing about Mirror’s Edge is just how refreshing it is. Faith (the protagonist) is, by all means, an entirely reasonable and realistic character. And you know that’s rare when it comes to female representation in media.
She doesn’t fall victim to various tropes relegated to women in games, as proposed by Anita Sarkeesian, the creator of “Tropes vs. Women in Video Games”. Faith successfully diverts classification as the damsel in distress, her race isn't exoticized, and she isn’t relegated as a sidekick. Plus, the best part of her character design (besides the eyeliner!) is that she isn’t dressed in lingerie armor.

Another way Mirror’s Edge subverts expectations is its focus on the act of running. Many games that are based on sprawling worlds (like Mirror’s Edge) are still very combat-focused. However, the game tutorials teach you to utilize your speed, agility, and physical strength to disarm rather than kill.
Thus, Faith’s body is not presented as a sexualized domain, but as an asset she draws heavily upon to navigate the world. Being able to play first-person as a woman who deftly performs outstanding physical feats is a uniquely liberating experience as a girl from Pakistan, who was not even allowed to go for a walk without her little brother in tow.
Faith is one of the few female videos game characters I can think of who seems almost tangible. In a landscape where female characters feel like caricatures of the feminine experience, Rhianna Pratchett, a woman, has managed to give the world a chance to play as a fully conceptualized, resilient, and frankly, badass woman.
Great article! It's so refreshing to see Faith defy the common stereotypes often assigned to women in video games. The way female players in particular feel when playing a game like this reflects the importance of diverse and relatable representation in gaming as it provides a sense of empowerment and resonates with players. It also reminds me of Horizon Zero Dawn, where Aloy really stands out as a compelling and well-developed character who defies traditional gender roles: she’s a skilled hunter/warrior, with a sharp intellect. I like how the game presents a world where women hold positions of power, are skilled in combat, and play essential roles in the survival and progression of their societies. Portrayals of characters like Aloy…
Really nice read! First person games tend to fly under the radar for me, but I really love the character and the world they're presenting here paired with that fluent gameplay. While Faith's character design does not aim to please the male gaze, I noticed her overall character features did resemble some strong women we've seen on the screen (Its a pretty clear resemblance the more i compare). I feel like I've seen the exact same characters like Faith being Asian, rocking the bob cut, the tank top, and a strong image of empowerment in Mako from Pacific Rim and Usagi from Alice in Borderland. It feels like a nitpick since all of these characters are still brilliant and bring…
Indeed, the gaming industry has often faced criticism for its treatment of women, including the exclusion of female protagonists and the objectification and sexualization of female characters. In this context, "Mirror's Edge" stands out as a significant milestone, offering players the opportunity to step into the shoes of a strong, capable, and realistic female character like Faith.
The game not only defies traditional gender tropes but also subverts expectations by emphasizing the act of running and physical agility over combat. This focus on utilizing Faith's speed, agility, and physical strength to navigate the world rather than resorting to violence challenges the prevailing norms of many other games.
Another notable media piece that aligns with the themes explored in "Mirror's Edge"…
Expanding the representation of female characters in video games to include a wider variety of racial and ethnic background like Faith improve the diversity of video games by breaking away from narratives of most video games that center around white characters or hyper-sexualized female characters. Diverse characters also improve the gaming experience by including rich and complex storylines that can create a more well rounded portrayal of the experiences of women from different backgrounds.