Summary
- The PS1 era brought forth iconic horror game protagonists who still resonate with gamers today, showcasing diversity in personalities.
- Protagonists like Jennifer Simpson, Nadia Franciscus, and Claire Redfield proved to be both relatable and brave in their respective storylines.
- These characters, such as Aya Brea and Regina, demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness, making them enduring figures in classic horror games.
The era of the PS1 is fondly remembered still by the gamers who were around during that decade, and many successful franchises trace their roots back to this console. To this day, retro gamers will often blow the dust off their console for a hit of nostalgia whenever the mood strikes.
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Though the PS2 is often remembered as the main console for horror gaming, the PS1's library is nothing to sniff at either, as it has an excellent collection that gave rise to some of the best horror game protagonists of all time. Even back then, women were still kicking butt and taking names in the world of horror, and many of them are still fondly remembered today.
7 Jennifer Simpson (Clock Tower)
An Ordinary Girl Trapped in Extraordinary Circumstances
Clock Tower
- Released
- September 14, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Developer(s)
- Human Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Adventure
Clock Tower has become something of a legendary horror game series, made most famous by the iconic Scissorman, the main villain who chases down his prey with an impossibly large set of scissors that could very easily cut their way through a human. One would think they might need a protagonist who could fight back to contend with him, but instead, players are handed control over the ordinary Jennifer Simpson.
An orphan who lost her parents at an early age, she spent most of her life in an orphanage, but this hardship didn't make her spiteful or bitter. Instead, she was a rather polite and mild-mannered young lady. She's not an action heroine by any means, and she survives only due to quick-thinking and running to safety. One might think such a character could let the game down, but she fits the role of the protagonist perfectly well and is slightly more relatable to ordinary people than gun-akimbo soldiers.
6 Nadia Franciscus (Nightmare Creatures)
Brains And Brawn
Nightmare Creatures
- Released
- September 30, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Developer(s)
- Kalisto Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Action
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 64, PC, PS1
An often forgotten horror game of the PS1 era, Nightmare Creatures featured two playable protagonists. Players could choose between Ignatius and Nadia as they set off on a quest for vengeance and to put down the nightmarish creatures that had risen, including undead and unnamed monsters who now threaten the land.
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Nadia has a personal stake in the story, as her own father died at the hands of main antagonists Adam Crowley and the Brotherhood. Luckily for players, she is quite the badass to play. Though she has a vast wealth of knowledge as a well-traveled doctor, her skills as a fencer and a gymnast lend themselves well to her as she engages dangerous monsters.
5 Ellen Ripley (Alien Resurrection)
Play As The Legendary Movie Character
Alien Resurrection
- Released
- October 10, 2000
- ESRB
- M // Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Publisher(s)
- Fox Interactive
Based on the movie of the same name, Alien Resurrection sees players primarily controlling the clone of Ellen Ripley as they try to find a way off the USM Auriga, a research ship that has become a Xenomorph nest. These aliens won't be killed easily and will push Ellen and the rest of the crew to their limits as they try to find a way to escape before it's too late.
Though a clone, she is mostly still the Ellen Ripley fans know and love, and it is an exciting opportunity to get to play her in a video game. A skilled badass and hardened survivor, Ripley is the best chance the crew has to get to safety, and everyone (including the player) knows it.
4 Aya Brea (Parasite Eve)
A Humble Heroine
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
Blind dates are a stressful and frightening experience for anyone, but Aya's might just take the cake. While at the opera with her date, the audience inexplicably combusts, all except for her, her date, and the singer onstage. After a rather cryptic statement, the songbird flees backstage, and Aya gives chase, knowing she is the culprit and must be stopped.
Aya proves herself more than a match for Eve, but despite her deeds, strength, and skill, Aya remains a rather humble and down-to-earth protagonist who is easily likable. Thanks to that, and the iconic status of the game she stars in, Aya has become something of a legend in classic horror.
3 Regina (Dino Crisis)
One Of The Bravest Horror Game Protagonists
Dino Crisis
- Released
- August 31, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- Sega Dreamcast, PC, PlayStation (Original), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PS Vita
One of Capcom's forgotten game series, Dino Crisis creatively brought dinosaurs into the world of horror, and it proved to be surprisingly effective. As an agent in S.O.R.T., Regina and the rest of the team infiltrate a research base to apprehend Dr. Edward Kirk, a scientist who was thought to be dead, but in typical survivor horror game fashion, the mission doesn't go off without a hitch.
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Instead, the team find themselves running afoul of dinosaurs, which have overrun the facility and killed many. Even in the face of such terror and destruction, Regina is a hard woman to shake, as she is one of the bravest horror game protagonists of all time. That said, Regina isn't completely made of stone; she does voice concern for the other members of the team, making her a well-rounded character.
2 Claire Redfield (Resident Evil 2)
Proved Kindness Is Not A Weakness
Resident Evil 2
- Released
- January 21, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Resident Evil 2 brought in a brand-new storyline that would be felt throughout the franchise and two brand-new characters who would also become fan-favorites. These characters were Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield, both of whom made their way to Raccoon City on that fateful night and found themselves entering straight into a nightmare. Zombies had already taken over the streets, forcing them to seek shelter in RPD where things weren't that much better.
Like its predecessor, Resident Evil 2 allowed players to choose to play with Leon and Claire, but it also introduced scenarios that would make each playthrough slightly different, offering far more replay value. Unlike characters such as Jill or Chris, Claire wasn't a trained combatant by any means, which only made her fearlessness and skills with a gun more impressive. She was also one of the kinder RE protagonists, going above and beyond for Sherry.
1 Jill Valentine (Resident Evil / Resident Evil 3)
A Brave And Resourceful Survivor
Resident Evil
- Released
- March 22, 1996
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), Sega Saturn, Nintendo DS, PC
Jill was one of the first playable characters in the 1996 Resident Evil, debuting alongside Chris Redfield. Exploring the Spencer Mansion was largely the same as Jill, but it was more her personality and the novelty of getting to play a female character that drew gamers towards her. Since then, her popularity has only grown, firmly landing her among the best female protagonists from PS1 horror games.
She returned in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis with a bold and sassy new attitude, resulting in some killer quotes as she faced off against the unstoppable juggernaut that was Nemesis. As a survivor of both Spencer Mansion and Raccoon City, Jill proved herself to be a character who should never be underestimated, and countless fans are still clamoring for Capcom's leading lady to make her well-deserved return to the series.
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