Is Horizon Zero Dawn the most subtle feminist AAA first party title to date?

Ive been looking around reading reviews and checking out social media and it seems one things clear. Aloy is a strong female protagonist that seems to appear quite refreshing in today's industry. Her design is so graceful and fits the game perfectly. Nothing seems out of place or silly. Its like this studio has really given the game their heart and soul. Loving the feedback from this one.

Something else that really impresses me is just how awesome and prevalent women and people of color (and especially women of color!) are in this world. We have matriarchies here, and other forms of tribal society, and everywhere I went there were women as war chiefs, mechanics, hunters, tribe elders, women in positions of power and authority. Complex women. Many of these ladies were black or Latino, and so were many of the men in this world.

Speaking of men, they also enjoy a wide representation here—and are often just as capable as nurturers as they are warriors or kings or "braves," proving that, hey, when there's something approaching gender parity, everybody wins.

The writer continues...

Aloy herself, and the character that she shares a special connection with (no spoilers), Elisabet, are women of conviction, skill, intelligence, and enormous heart. There were so many moments in this game, really weighty moments, where that shines beautifully, and neither of them are presented as unrealistically perfect. They are flawed, but capable of greatness. Honest-to-god heroes.

In some ways, this game feels quietly revolutionary. It's maybe the most subtly feminist AAA first-party game I can think of. I say subtly because it doesn't feel the need to proclaim anything; it just happens to show a world where gender roles didn't develop along the patriarchal lines in the same way for everyone, where women and folks of color can take on any position and thrive.

Source, https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/women-shine-brightest-in-horizon-zero-dawn?utm_source=wptwitterus

What does System Wars think of the games positive feedback so far? Do you agree with the thread title? Care to share about any other strong female roles in AAA gaming?

Pfff

I honestly don't care if it's a guy or a girl, as long as the game is good

Lara & Ellie > Aloy

Incoming shitstorm of gamers who think they know everything about feminism.

@kvally: The gameplay reminds me of Tomb Raider a lot. Appears to be an inspiration.

It doesn't matter.

Man or woman. Whatever. People are more than their genders.

Indeed, there are a few similarities.

Yes I agree, it makes me happy that this game strayed away from your typical white, handsome male. Game protagonist need to be more diverse. It pisses me off that Nioh has a white male characters as the protagonist when this game takes place in a Japanese world. Diversity and minorities make for a more interesting story and world. AKA all the Elder Scroll games. :)

@OldProf: do you actually believe that?

@OldProf: Agreed, diversity is much needed. Its refreshing to have a game welcome the challenge and succeed in implementing such a request.

Well said, i think thats what makes this game so beautiful.

Probably not. People just like to blow shit out of the water.

Can we leave this crap at gaf, not sw material btw!

this.

The author of the article calls the game subtly feminist and then proceeds to lay out how the game is obviously egalitarian.

Once again people think feminism has some sort of monopoly on the concept of equality.

I'm all for more strident efforts for diversity and being inclusive in games but this is just a weirdly written article.

Who cares? Honestly though. As long as the protagonist isn't two-dimensional, I wouldn't care if it's male or female.

The world doesn't give a fucks about "SJW", that's just a thing in the USA. People all over the world laugh at you for keeping that crappy term alive and it shows.

@22Toothpicks: Feminist strive for an egalitarian society. This is a game they and everyone else can respect. Something this industry is in much need of. Its good to see things changing for the good.

Normally I would agree with you. It wont affect my enjoyment of playing the game in the slightest. I enjoy playing as Samus as much as I enjoy playing as Link.

But sometimes the drama and stupidity coming from both sides can be more entertaining than the actual game itself.

Agreed. Lets have both. Thats whats so great about diversity in gaming.

She just looks like an ordinary woman with Dreadlocks who's independent and looking out for herself, so hardly any man materials.

Uck. GAF is such a hive mind of far left thinking. Ideologues are truly scary people when they coalesce into large groups and completely trap themselves in an echo chamber. And what's worse is many posters vehemently deny the GAF hive mind. Their lack of self-awareness is pretty frightening, actually. You can't even whisper a praise for Trump without everyone jumping down your throat with accusations of racism, homophobia, sexist being called a Nazi etc (I can't stand Trump BTW just citing this as an example of what I've seen)

Sorry to go on such a tangent. GAF is just one of the strangest communities on the web.

I love the dreads. Its a nice touch for she doesnt have time to comb her hair everyday. Would have been weird for characters to have perfect hair in such an apocalyptic world.

And a manly face/arms.

@iandizion713:

If that were true they would call themselves egalitarian. But they don't.

Some women have manly features and some men have womanly features. Have you been in the outside world? :P

@22Toothpicks: Thats cause theyre fighting for a certain group. They want to achieve egalitarianism. Your aware men and many other groups do the same arent you? Yet those are fighting for egalitarianism also.

I really don't care about whether I play as a man or woman in a game as long as it's good. Looking at my avatar and sig you can tell I'm clearly not a feminist, I just don't give a crap. I'm all for equal rights and diversity but I'm also about artistic freedom, and allowing artists to do whatever they want in their medium without fear of being criticized and called out by SJWs.

Actually, I agree with the fact this game is a feminist AAA title. As for it being subtle about it? Not even close. Apparently, every man in the game is portrayed as either weak or evil. The main antagonist is a white man. Also, the dialogue sprinkled throughout the game is even more misandrist, alluding that men are the downfall of humanity and shouldn't partake in things like science. Also, Alloy outright admits that she never wants to have a male child, only female.

This is definitely a feminist game. Funny how none of the video game journalists never mention the misandry though.

Ivy is a strong female lead. Even if drawn by jigglygirls.

Oh I know, been a member for years and ye that is awfully common.

@Juub1990: You're absolutely right and that's what I like about her but some people think she's just eye candy. Yea she's eye candy but I also see a confident woman who owns her sexuality and body and isn't scared of being called a slut. She's also a fierce warrior to boot and highly intelligent. It's just a plus she has jiggly boobs lol. Yea I'm not a feminist but I do admire strong confident women and I'm all for women's rights, I just don't make a big deal out of it and demand it in all my games.

How very interesting. I'd have to play the game or see it for myself but I'm not at all surprised if that's the case. After all the "f.uck white men/culture" agenda has been pervading every other form of media for some time now. I'll still eventually play the game and will most likely really enjoy it. Except for them hair physics. It floats around like Alloy is roaming inside of a giant snow globe or something.

@22Toothpicks: There's a topic on GameFAQs that all but confirms it from someone who has already played it. God what a mess.

I never said anything was wrong it, just not my cup of tea.

it is sjw propaganda in disguise

@ShepardCommandr:

That might be true but they have every right to exercise their artistic license to make games as they see fit. It's also hard to make the claim that these themes/concepts are an endorsement by the creators or just merely a depiction of these ideas. Intent is crucial here.

Strong indepedent woman with tons of weapons who don't need no tribe. With white girl dreadlocks.

"Subtle" is not the word I would use.

As long as female characters are more than just eye candy or trophies in a game, I'm happy. To most of the what's being said in here, just make good -characters-. It just becomes an issue when the only actual characters in games are more often than not guys only. I don't consider a strong female protagonist in a game a huge stride for feminism, I think of it as "hey, this should be just as normal to people as the strong male protagonists". Unfortunately it's not, so yeah, the industry can use more of this.

-Byshop

... what?

I'm all about playing as a man but... what?

This review screams of some SJW stuff written by some beta male. This is the type of guy that holds a sign saying "Male Feminist" at a women's protest hoping to get a pity screw.

I have no problem with a female character but the guy that wrote this is the same type that holds his female BFF purse while she makes out with a real male.

Well said. This should just be the norm.

@aigis: I mean, it's nice to play a game once in a while where the protagonist resembles you in some way, it adds to the thrill of the whole gaming and world experience. Why you think some games even let you customize your character?

I will only say that her design is fine and I like her running animation. Not much to say about this feminism stuff.

@m_machine024: Agreed, her animation running down a hill is pretty sweet.

Horizion looks like a cool game, I also like Aloy's design and having different tribes and different races is cool.

Only reason I'm not getting this game is because I don't have a PS4 lol.

Dude looks like a lady!

@DJ-Lafleur: Im in the same boat. This is that one game id love to have. My brother has a PS4, so i might borrow after Zelda.

@OldProf: honestly I don't care what race or gender I am in most games, it's more about the character's personality that has to be interesting. Character creator games are just there for immersion rather than complexity. Both have their places in certain types of games, but it's never been a hindrance for me