TOPLIST – The long history of feminism has taken many different forms and appeared in different cultures and art forms. The recent Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie seems to be a clear “manifesto” for the militant feminist movement, to the extent that this aspect is greatly exaggerated. Feminism, of course, plays a significant role in the video game industry, often held up in a funhouse mirror, sometimes taking on some rather peculiar forms. We have collected ten games that put militant feminism in its place, from gentle teasing to extreme mockery. The ranking, however, is mainly based on the humor of these parodies, which can be seen as funhouse mirrors.

Feminism in video games has long been a controversial topic, with many debating whether or not the female characters portrayed in games are fair. The recent Barbie movie has reignited the debate about feminism, as the movie delivers the feminist message in a very powerful way. As the debate about feminism in the world of cinema and video games continues with great intensity, we examine how some classic, older video games put a militant feminism on the spot that might not even be created today…

10. Saints Row IV

In this game, feminist characters tend to be caricatures, often placed in absurd and exaggerated situations. The game often mocks these characters and feminism. In addition, the game constantly challenges feminist ideals, often as a counterpoint to actions and situations that occur throughout the game.

9. Postal 2

The game is a violent and provocative action game in which the player takes on the role of a psychopathic man who can do all sorts of crazy things. Among other things, the game features feminist-like female terrorists who can be shot or humiliated. Many have criticized the game for its immoral, offensive, and downright violent content.

8. Mortal Kombat 11

The Mortal Kombat series is a fighting game series in which different characters brutally fight each other. In Mortal Kombat 11, there is a female character, Sheeva, who belongs to a four-armed species. She is the first female leader of her people and a proud feminist. In the game, we often hear her talk about how she fought against men for power and how she wants to change the patriarchal culture of her people. Mortal Kombat 11 often humorously portrays her as an overly aggressive and dominant woman.

7. Far Cry 5

Faith Seed, the game’s manipulative and dangerous female antagonist, paints a picture of a strange feminist cult leader. She represents the aspect of feminism that portrays female leaders as diabolical manipulators. Faith portrays this stereotype through an extremely evil character, highlighting not only her personal manipulative power, but also certain interpretations of feminism.

6. Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don’t Dry

Larry Laffer’s character is the perfect antithesis of modern ideas of female emancipation. Larry is often the subject of the feminist movement as such and its modern versions. Throughout the game, Larry encounters female characters who hold strong feminist views. Larry’s surprising and often hilarious reactions to these situations are, in a way, a strange and humorous critique of feminism.

5. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The Grand Theft Auto series is famous for its satirical take on American society and culture. In the San Andreas installment, the player plays as an African-American man who returns to his hometown. The game features several female characters, some of whom espouse feminist views. The game often portrays these characters in a negative light as annoying, hysterical, or hypocritical women.

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

The game features a suffragette character that caricatures the feminist movement in the game. The character’s portrayal presents feminism in a very literal, satirical way. These scenes mock feminism, which is often emphasized by the dismissive or comical reactions of the other characters in the game.

3. South Park: Fractured But Whole

The game is based on the popular animated series and is played in the spirit of satire and political incorrectness. The game allows players to choose their character’s gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity, all of which affect the gameplay. Militant feminist activists appear several times in the game, and the game makes fun of them.

2. Duke Nukem Forever

Duke’s character, the typical alpha male, provides a perfect contrast to the idea of feminism. In the game, Duke frequently encounters female characters who act in the name of violent feminism. Duke’s reactions to these situations are often hilarious and exaggerated, allowing the game to caricature feminism.

1. Grand Theft Auto V

In yet another installment of the Grand Theft Auto series, Grand Theft Auto V provides the most blatant example of a hilarious parody of militant feminism. Franklin Clinton’s aunt Denise and her friends represent a group of stereotypical feminists, often shouting slogans such as “We are women and we are free! The game presents this scene in a humorous light, as if to portray the feminist movement in an overly radical and ridiculous way. In another mission, Michael De Santa’s character has to race against a feminist woman in her 40s. Trevor Phillips also encounters Franklin’s aunt and her friends, who he yells at as they march outside, “Shut up! Thank you!”. Trevor also comes into conflict with the girlfriend of Wade’s friend, which scene (we won’t spoil how) also puts feminism somewhere on the spot.

The above list has certainly made for entertaining reading for many, especially those who like to look at the more radical forms of feminism with a touch of humor and would like to try this in the interactive form of video games. As these games show, every ideology, including feminism, has the peculiarity that its adherents often go overboard, resulting in entertaining and sometimes hilarious moments.

As these games show, feminism, like any social movement, is not without its absurdities, and it can sometimes be healthy to look at it with a bit of wry humor – especially when, with the Barbie film, others are so keen to shove these views down our throats these days. So while they fight for women’s rights, and sometimes in a militant way, maybe it’s okay for feminists to laugh at themselves sometimes – like these games do.

-BadSector-