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Essays 04 December 2021, 18:29

author: Marek Jura

Not Just Lara Croft - Gaming's Greatest Gals (Before 2005)

In recent years, game developers have begun to spoil fans with strong female characters, populating the worlds of both mainstream and niche productions. Lara Croft wasn't the only one, however; gaming has always had some great gals.

Table of Contents

Sylvanas Windrunner (Warcraft 3)

  1. Debuted: 2002
  2. Key games: Warcraft III, World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm
  3. Distinguishing features: Determination stronger than death itself and legendary archery skills

Sylvanas Windrunner, later known as Lady Sylvanas, Queen of Banshee and Dark Lady, is one of the most tragic characters in the Warcraft universe. Wanting to protect her country from Arthas' attempts, she fought with all her strength, keeping him at bay from Silvermoon for a long time. She never gave up, even when she had to run away. Sylvanas died at the hand of Arthas, but in her case, death was really just the beginning. And when it came to her battle prowess, the undead Windrunner really made a big difference on the battlefield.

In retribution for the elf's resistance, Arthas summoned her soul, using her in battle as Banshee Queen. Conscious, but at the same time enslaved by dark curses to carry out the commands of her masters, Sylvanas experienced unimaginable suffering as she participated in the the hated enemy's conquest.

Eventually, however, the spell binding her mind weakened. Thanks to this, Sylvanas almost managed to kill Arthas. When he slipped away, the elf gathered other undead creatures, now known as "Forsaken," securing an alliance with the horde led by Thrall. Although she managed to reclaim control of her dead body, she never became a truly living person again. Nevertheless, she remains one of the most adored faction leaders of the Warcraft world – the Forsaken are so grateful that they're ready not only to give their lives for her, but also their souls.

Garona from the first Warcraft did not receive such appreciation in among the fandom as Lady Sylvanas, but she gained the status of legend, appeared in WoW, and even became one of the most important characters in the film adaptation.

Marek Jura

Marek Jura

In 2016, he graduated in philology at UAM. Since then, he has been reviewing prose, poetry, movies, series, and video games for GRYOnline.pl. He took his first steps in the journalism industry as a newsman in a local tabloid. He ran his own company - he designed, created, tested, and sold board games. He published several short stories and is also preparing his debut volume of poetry. Trains martial arts. A feminist, vegan, fan of pineapple on pizza, cat lover, dislikes Bethesda and Amazon, likes Lovecraft, Agents of SHIELD, P:T, Beksiński, Hollow Knight, performance, abstract art, game mods and dumplings.

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