The Best Female Characters In Star Wars Games

Fans are getting to explore the galaxy far, far away in Star Wars Outlaws as the newest original protagonist: Kay Vess. In a massive universe, filled with a gigantic roster of memorable characters, from Jedi Knights to skilled bounty hunters, Kay has become one of many female characters that have joined the gaming world of Star Wars.

Women have had a strong presence in Star Wars since 1977 with Princess Leia Organa starting it all. Whether it is the main protagonist, a supporting character, or an antagonist, her iconic status has allowed many other women to have an impact on the galaxy, especially when it comes to video games.

10 Juno Eclipse

From Imperial Pilot To Decorated Rebel Leader

• First appeared in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
• Race: Human
• Played by Nathalie Cox

Throughout Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Juno Eclipse was Galen Marek, AKA Starkiller's pilot and partner in his mission to rid the galaxy of surviving Jedi across multiple unique Star Wars planets. However, she becomes Starkiller's anchor as his journey changes him from Imperial assassin to Jedi Knight, with Juno remaining loyal to him throughout.

It was a refreshing take on an Imperial officer, compared to most Star Wars stories. Whether it's movies, shows, or other games, Imperials are depicted as pure evil to their core, whereas Juno Eclipse is portrayed as a capable person just doing her job. She keeps Starkiller on his journey with her love and companionship, becoming his greatest motivation after having Darth Vader as a toxic mentor.

9 Mara Jade

The First Original Female Protagonist

• First appeared in Star Wars: Heir To The Empire
• Race: Human
• Played by Heidi Shannon, Edie Mirman, Samantha Bennett, Kath Soucie

Fans of the Star Wars Legends continuity know Mara Jade for being a pivotal part of many novels and comics, which led to her becoming the main protagonist in Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysteries Of The Sith, an expansion to Dark Forces II. However, her video game counterpart lacks the pathos and development that she is known for.

Mysteries Of The Sith, sadly, is only an expansion and its story can be beaten in two hours. As a result, Mara Jade gets very little time to build her character and personality. On the positive side of things, Mara was the first female protagonist in any Star Wars game and the first to wield a purple lightsaber, even before Mace Windu.

8 Rianna Saren

Allows Gamers To Play As A Twi'Lek Mercenary

• First appeared in Star Wars: Lethal Alliance
• Race: Twi'lek
• Played by Julianne Buescher

Rather than a Jedi or Sith, Rianna Saren from Star Wars: Lethal Alliance is a mercenary character fighting against scum and villainy of both the Empire and the criminal underworld. In certain ways, Rianna is a predecessor to Kay Vess from Star Wars Outlaws, only a little more ruthless in her pursuits and focusing more on agile action and traversal.

Star Wars: Lethal Alliance is also the first time the games featured a Twi'Lek as the set main character. Even though Rianna is ahead of her time, especially for the PSP exclusive, she is not a deep character by any means, but she's enough to help Lethal Alliance stand out from most Star Wars games.

7 Bastila Shan

Not A Typical Jedi, But For The Better

• First Appeared in Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
• Race: Human
• Played by Jennifer Hale

While not a playable character, Bastila Shan is considered the star of Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic due to her gray morality and rivalry with Darth Revan. Jedi are known for being paragons of virtue and peace, but Bastila is not the typical Jedi; she is fueled by her emotions, impulses, and passion, which can be seen as Sith-like behavior, but she uses it for good.

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Bastila Shan and Revan are two sides of the same coin. Revan is a Sith, but he has better intentions and motivations than most Sith lords. It makes Bastila's conflict with him more interesting, showing that the two factions were not so black and white, with the Jedi being capable of human flaws, similar to what The Acolyte presented.

6 Trilla Sunduri

In-Depth Look At The Life Of A Sith Inquisitor

• First Appeared in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
• Race: Human
• Played by Elizabeth Grullon

Sith Inquisitors such as The Second Sister in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order commit many atrocities across the galaxy in their hunt for Jedi and any Force-sensitive child. However, it's easy to forget that Inquisitors are victims as much as they are terrorizers, having been subjected to the worst tortures by the Empire, from psychological manipulation to amputation.

Trilla Sunduri is a result of such trauma, resulting in a sadistic killer with all their better impulses pushed so deep, they only care about their mission and vendettas. Trilla was one of the few to break their dark cycle, only to die at Vader's hands, showing that there is no proper escape from the Inquisition other than death, even when she forgives Cere for past events.

5 Jan Ors

The Iconic Pilot Who Inspired The Creation Of Hera Syndulla

• First appeared in Star Wars: Dark Forces
• Race: Human
• Played by Angela Harry, Vanessa Marshall

Throughout the Kyle Katarn trilogy, starting with Star Wars: Dark Forces, Jan Ors remains his greatest ally as not only his pilot but also a fellow spy for the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic. Similar to Juno Eclipse, Jan becomes an essential part of Kyle's story, eventually falling in love during the events of Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast.

Jan has to work with one of the moodiest Jedi in gaming history, so she is constantly matching Kyle Katarn's energy with witty comebacks and a magnetic personality. The character would become such a fan favorite that she would be homaged with Hera Syndulla in Star Wars: Rebels, who was also voiced by Vanessa Marshall.

4 Kay Vess

Shows The Flawed Life Of A Star Wars Scoundrel

• First appeared in Star Wars Outlaws
• Race: Human
• Played by Humberly González

The newest member of the Star Wars protagonist family, Kay Vess is introduced in Star Wars Outlaws. To survive in the heart of the criminal underworld, Kay Vess is naturally not a perfect person. Many comparisons can be made to the Red Dead Redemption games, where Kay Vess is forced to commit many questionable acts to successfully pull off jobs and contracts.

However, Star Wars Outlaws also shows that she is better than others, willing to help those in need (for the right price) and stop far worse criminals from harming innocents. Also, her fellowship with her crew such as ND-5, Waka, and her adorable pet, Nix, showcases that, despite her actions, Kay does have a heart of gold.

3 Iden Versio

The Redemption Story Of An Imperial Commander

• First appeared in Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)
• Race: Human
• Played by Janina Gavankar

Another example of how Imperials can be more than just villains, Iden Versio is the leader of Inferno Squad in Star Wars: Battlefront 2. She and her fellow Stormtrooper commandos are witnesses to the Empire falling and, at first, they are loyal to their Emperor to their core, but as time goes on, Iden learns how evil the Empire truly is and defects to the Rebellion.

Iden is courageous and honorable, even when she is an Imperial Commando, which makes her evolution to a hero of the New Republic fascinating to witness. Her story ends up being important to the movies, with her becoming friends with legacy Star Wars characters and her story arc ending with her recovering important information used in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

2 Cere Junda

She Lived And Died As A True Jedi Master

• First appeared in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
• Race: Human
• Played by Debra Wilson

While Cal Kestis is the main character in Respawn Entertainment's Star Wars Jedi games, Cere Junda is a vital part of his story. When Cal was in the worst parts of his life, Cere was there to mentor him toward a better path. Cere's failure to protect Trilla leads to her becoming a better Jedi master for Cal, fighting her own darkness for a better tomorrow.

In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Cere's story is developed even more as she leads a group of Anchorites protecting the knowledge of the Jedi. Even when she is forced to fight Darth Vader, she never gives up and protects her found family at all costs, teaching Cal some of the most important lessons as a Jedi at the end of her life and even in the afterlife.

1 Nightsister Merrin

The Most Interesting Witch In The Galaxy

• First appeared in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
• Race: Dathomiran
• Played by Tina Ivlev

Subverting expectations in the best way, Nightsister Merrin is first introduced in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, seemingly as an antagonist, but Cal proves to be truly worthy of the Jedi Knight title. He shows that there is a better path for her, allowing her to join him on his journey across the galaxy, proving that not all Nightsisters are evil.

Merrin not only wields powerful Nightsister magic but Star Wars Jedi: Survivor reintroduces her with classic Jedi abilities with The Force, similar to Asajj Ventress. On top of it all, Merrin has evolved into an honorable warrior for justice and Cal Kestis' lover, defying the zealous rules of the Jedi for the better, which has resulted in fans wanting a spin-off for her or to be playable in the sequel.

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