Summary
- Older protagonists still play a big role in horror game narratives, testing their resilience and wisdom.
- Angela, Linda, and Virginia are examples of mature characters who bring depth and complexity to their stories.
- These characters challenge stereotypes and offer a fresh perspective on horror game protagonists.
Horror spares no one, not the young nor the old, as is evidenced by the wide variety of ages one can find while playing horror games. Younger protagonists are definitely more prevalent in both AAA titles and the indie scene, as evidenced by renowned games such as Silent Hill 3, and lesser-known titles such as Fran Bow.
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Most protagonists in video games are typically either children, teens, or young adults, but there are some significant protagonists that are older.
But what about the older crowd, those with the age of wisdom? They, too, have their place, but, unfortunately for them, experience has done little to prepare them for what is to follow. These middle-aged female horror heroines will find themselves tested physically and mentally in whatever gauntlet of terror awaits them.
7 Angela (The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope)
This Aging Student Has Life In Her Yet
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope
- Released
- October 30, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Age: 48
Angela is a senior student involved in a class trip that sees them exploring the eerie ghost town the game's title derives its name from after their bus crashes on the road, leaving them with no choice but to step into the fog and see if they can flag down help. They find only a town devoid of any living inhabitants where they are visited by visions of events that happened in the 1600s, and terrifying ghosts haunt their every step.
Angela is not the most outright pleasant character, as her abrasive attitude causes many arguments with other characters in the game, but there is no denying this 48-year-old is a lot more resilient than her appearance suggests. Having endured a grueling marriage and a difficult divorce, Angela has learned to be more independent as a result. Her character's growth in Little Hope largely depends on the player's actions, giving them a say in whether Angela becomes more selfish or develops empathy for her fellow students.
6 Linda Castle (The Casting Of Frank Stone)
A Horror Director Finds Herself In A Horror Story
The Casting of Frank Stone
- Released
- September 3, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Age (2024): 61/62
The Casting of Frank Stone was an unforeseen crossover between two horror game giants: the lore of Dead by Daylight, with the story and character crafting of Supermassive, who've already proven themselves with games such as Until Dawn and the various Dark Pictures games. It brought in two storylines, one set in the 80s following a trio of friends working on creating their own horror movie, and the other in 2024, which sees various people of interest invited to a large and remote island for reasons that soon become apparent.
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Linda is one of the characters present in both storylines, as the director of her friend's amateur movie, and in 2024 as an accomplished director with many horror flicks under her belt. However, along with being a great director, Linda is also a very likeable character, especially in her more senior years. She has shed some of her awkwardness and has grown more compassionate and patient, traits that truly shine during interactions with Madi.
5 Virginia (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
Portrayed By A Horror Legend
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- Released
- August 18, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival
- Age: 36
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre game is determined not to face the same fate as many other asymmetrical multiplayer horror games and shuffle off to the great server farm beyond, concluding their great care and work. March 2024 saw a huge DLC added to the game, which was bound to appease many horror fans.
The victims receive another poor soul doomed to be trapped by the Sawyer family and try to escape from their farm through one of the various escape routes. That new victim is Virginia, portrayed by the amazing Barbara Crampton. With her history as a nurse, Virginia has a few tricks up her sleeves involving blood buckets and Sissy's flower powder, which can make escape more of a possibility.
4 Susan Ashworth (The Cat Lady)
A More Grounded And Relatable Video Game Protagonist
The Cat Lady
- Released
- December 1, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Age: 42
The Cat Lady is one of the most somber and chilling horror games ever made, delving into dark and very real topics that really hit on some of the sad realities of life. It is a very personal story about Susan and her struggles with chronic depression. One night, she decides to take her own life, but upon doing so, she awakens in a strange place. Here she meets the Queen of Maggots, who enlists Susan's help to rid the Earth of five humans who are far more deserving of death than she is.
At the start of the game, it is quite apparent that Susan is dissatisfied with how her life has turned out, invoking sympathy from the players, but she does sometimes dispel the gloom with her cynical sense of humor. Meeting Mitzi turns out to be a turning point for Susan, and she learns to open up about her past and grows to be more caring and kind. As far as horror game protagonists go, Susan is one that is far more grounded and realistic than many of her peers.
3 Rosemary Reed (Remothered: Tormented Fathers)
Risks Life and Limb for the Truth
Remothered: Tormented Fathers
- Released
- October 31, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Age: 35
Rosemary Reed is not a woman who gives up easily; she is even more stubborn than most younger protagonists. After lying to Gloria, Richard Felton's nurse, about who she is and why she has come to the villa, Rosemary's ruse is quickly uncovered, and she is promptly banished from the premises. This only makes her more determined to find out the truth she came looking for, and she sneaks back in under the cover of night, only to be accosted at every turn by the crazed Felton. This is the setup for Remothered: Tormented Fathers.
Though Rosemary is clearly shaken by upsetting discoveries such as the withered body of Richard Felton's wife and his determination to see her life reach its premature end, it still doesn't discourage her from her quest, proving that she is one remarkably brave woman. Despite this, she is not a stereotypical game heroine, and can often be rather selfish, placing her needs above others, and overbearingly nosy, as evidenced by her unrelenting snooping through the villa. These are just ways her character is far more developed than others, putting her a cut above more watered-down characters.
2 Ada Wong (Resident Evil 6)
Resident Evil's Resident Femme Fatale Only Gets Better with Age
Resident Evil 6
- Released
- October 2, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
- Age: 39
Ada Wong has had many appearances over the course of the Resident Evil series, first appearing with an air of mystery in Resident Evil 2 in Leon's campaign and returning in Resident Evil 4. Though she and Leon share some fantastic chemistry, that is not what makes Ada such a good character, and she stands out just fine on her own.
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Thus far, her latest chronological entry in the series timeline is Resident Evil 6, complete with her own campaign towards the latter section of the game, where a body double seems to have been operating under her name. Once more, Ada proves herself to be a strong and independent woman, even saving Leon Kennedy from certain death at Simmons' hands. Getting close to 40, Ada hasn't let the passing of time slow her down, and she remains as tough as ever.
1 Saga Anderson (Alan Wake 2)
Supernatural Powers Endow Saga's Investigative Skills
Alan Wake 2
- Released
- October 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Age: 35
Alan Wake 2 was the long-awaited sequel to the first survival horror game starring a struggling writer taking a vacation to hopefully get the mojo he needed to get back into writing. The eponymous writer, Alan Wakem is back and embroiled in a plot surrounding the murderous Cult of the Tree, with many mind-bending scenes that blur the line between fiction and reality for Alan.
He is not the only character the players control, as Saga Anderson is introduced as one of the FBI agents assigned to the Cult of the Tree case, and she also has some supernatural abilities of her own. She can tap into her mind palace to profile potential suspects and victims alike. An accomplished agent, it makes sense that Saga would not be a young 20-something, and instead is at the ripe age of 35, with a thriving, albeit dangerous, career, and a daughter she must save from the manuscript written by both Alan and his evil double, Mr. Scratch.
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