There are quite a lot of franchises on the market that depend on iconic characters to guide their video games. Whereas there have been loads of Mario spinoffs, Mario has by no means been changed in a serious approach. Then, there are sport sequence which are extra like anthologies. These franchises like to alter their protagonist from sport to sport, or sometimes change protagonists after a number of entries. Remaining Fantasy and Silent Hill are two prime examples.
In 2025, there appears to be a giant development of sequels releasing with feminine protagonists taking on for males. That will not result in additional sequels with feminine characters, but it surely’s price noting. So, let’s get into a few of the finest sport sequels the place girls changed male leads.
Ghost Of Yotei
A Vengeful Spirit
Ghost of Yotei is among the most up-to-date examples of 2025. Atsu replaced Jin from Ghost of Tsushima, and the 2 comply with fully completely different eras and tales, although they share a bond by way of revenge. By way of defeating the Yotei 6, Atsu can lastly discover peace at the price of her household’s lives. Gamers can gallop throughout stunning biomes and reduce by way of lots of of wandering ronin and ninjas in a satisfying open-world samurai expertise.
Hole Knight: Silksong
Nail In The Coffin
Hornet appeared as an enemy within the first sport, however replaced The Knight as the protagonist in Hollow Knight: Silksong. There may be debate amongst followers about whether or not Hornet has a gender, although everybody refers to Hornet as feminine within the sport. The lore of the Hole Knight universe runs deep, and Group Cherry retains issues obscure for fan interpretation, which is nice. That mentioned, going together with what the sport calls her, Hornet is a giant improve from The Knight. She will speak, is quicker, and is genuinely stronger, since she must be to face the various trials in her solo Metroidvania journey.
Hades 2
Dying To Chronos
Hades 2 is the primary direct sequel that Supergiant has ever made. As an alternative of following Zagreus in his trials to flee the Underworld, Hades 2 follows his sister Melinoe, who vows to kill Chronos for torturing her kin.
She not solely fights throughout the Underworld, but in addition will get to go to the floor and struggle by way of Olympian trials. It’s a giant departure for the sequence, however what didn’t change was the deep story and addictive roguelike gameplay. Even upon demise, Melinoe’s story will deepen after every run.
The Final Of Us Half 2
Joel Takes A Again Seat
The Final of Us Half 2 picks up just a few years after the unique sport, with Ellie and Joel making a spot for themselves in Jackson, Wyoming. The playable roles are reversed on this sequel, as Ellie has grown right into a positive hunter as a substitute of being a extra fragile woman like within the unique sport. With Joel taking a backseat on this post-apocalyptic journey, Ellie has to sneak by way of human and Clicker territory totally on her personal. If followers thought the primary sport was brutal and gut-wrenching, then they had been certainly unprepared to see the vile acts of this sequel.
SteamWorld Dig 2
Trying For Rusty
SteamWorld Dig 2 takes place in the identical world as the unique, however a youthful feminine robotic, Dorothy, steps in for Rusty. He’s gone lacking, and Dorothy is set to search out him. A lot of the gameplay stays the identical as gamers will dig by way of rubble, gather supplies, after which return to city to improve Dorothy. Nevertheless, a core side of the sport was more Metroidvania-like in nature, with completely different talents to assist Dorothy discover harmful underground biomes in her pursuit of Rusty.
Spelunky 2
The place’s My Dad?
Spelunky 2 is a sport like Steamworld Dig 2, about looking for lacking individuals. Ana is the daughter of the primary sport’s protagonist, who has gone lacking alongside together with his spouse whereas exploring on the moon.
Ana dives into the moon-based dungeon to assist observe her mother and father down in one of the troublesome roguelike video games to this point. Development at all times resets between runs, which means gamers should get good with Ana to assist make her goals come true, from getting accustomed to whipping snakes to dodging traps.
Axiom Verge 2
An Alternate Actuality
Axiom Verge 2 is unconnected to the primary sport for essentially the most half, with out revealing an excessive amount of. It’s a unique tackle the unique Metroidvania sport with this sequel starring a well-known scientist, Indra, who winds up in a brand new universe. As an alternative of gun-based gameplay, there’s an emphasis on Indra’s boomerang to do many of the speaking throughout fight, however there are different weapons and powers too. It’s additionally a extra open-ended Metroidvania sport with enormous biomes in comparison with the extra cramped areas of the unique.
Alan Wake 2
The FBI Enters
Alan Wake 2 is break up between the primary sport’s protagonist, the titular Alan Wake, and Saga, an FBI Agent. Whereas gamers will swap between them through the marketing campaign, extra time is spent with Saga because the lead, and on how she connects to all the things. Her sections are extra participating, as gamers get to go inside her thoughts to infer puzzles and work out varied instances. Additionally, the floor world Saga will get to discover is extra fascinating in comparison with Alan’s extra summary guide world. That is undoubtedly Saga’s sport, and it will likely be fascinating to see the place the third sport goes.
