Tomb Raider publisher Eidos has just released a demo version of Lara Croft's latest adventure. Tomb Raider Underworld will be released in Australia on December 5, but PC and Xbox 360 owners can get free a taste of the action adventure.
The upcoming release prompted Gamesmaster to think about Lara's legacy in the games market as a girl power icon and ponder about video gaming's best female characters. I've assembled the list below and am also keen to hear your nominations.
Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) - The gaming industry's most important girl power pioneer and arguably now video gaming's most widely recognised character alongside Mario.
Alyx Vance (Half-Life 2) - Like Lara, Alyx is smart, tough and spunky. In Episode One, Alyx was one of the gaming world's most convincing AI creations: helpfully assisting in battle, providing mission goals and even cracking jokes.
Samus Aran (Metroid) - Hides in her bodysuit most of the time, doesn't say much either. Is it significant that she's a girl at all?
Darcy Stern (Urban Chaos) - A Screen Play favourite because she was such a bold choice for a lead character, a refreshing break from the white male stereotypes.
Jade (Beyond Good and Evil) - Spunky and tenatious, one of the most interesting post-Lara heroines, particularly because she was not overtly sexualised like many of her gaming sisters. Thankfully, Jade will soon get the chance to strut her stuff once again.
Peach (Super Mario Bros) - Dresses in pink and plays the damsel in distress way too often for most women libbers to stomach, but recently has been pulling her weight more often, even getting star billing in her own adventure.
Jill Valentine (Resident Evil) - She can battle the undead in a mini-skirt. What's not to like?
Jennifer Tate (Primal) - An attractive, wise-cracking Goth rocker in the Buffy mould. Just watch out you don't get on her bad side and unleash her inner demons.
Zelda (The Legend of Zelda) - Another Nintendo damsel in distress archetype who wouldn't be a favourite of Germaine Greer. Should really get out more rather than waiting for men in tights to show up.
Joanna Dark (Perfect Dark) - Like many of her modern day peers, Joanna is gorgeous, athletic and deadly. Pity her latest escapade didn't live up to the standard of her wonderful debut.
Meryl Silverburgh (Metal Gear Solid) - Rarely has a big role in the Metal Gear games, but her Codec banter (and sexual tension) with Snake is often enjoyable, and she recently got the chance to really strut her stuff on centre stage in MGS4 .
Zoe Castillo (Dreamfall: The Longest Journey) - Listless but likeable. Zoe proved a very sympathetic and authentic character, and was also very cute in her underwear.
Chun-Li (Street Fighter) - One of videogaming's kick-ass girl power pioneers long before Lara donned her backpack.
Nariko (Heavenly Sword) - A strong, intriguing and sympathetic character with a delightfully balmy sister who often threatens to steal the show in this entertaining brawling game.
Farah (Prince of Persia) - This exotic bombshell was more than just a token love interest.
Aeris Gainsborough (Final Fantasy VII) - So pure that her death made grown men cry. Few developers create more compelling and treasured than Square.
Yuna (Final Fantasy X) - A powerful, demure sorceress that transformed into a pistol toting, tight-shorts wearing Charlies Angel wannabe in X-2.
Nina Williams (Tekken, Death by Degrees) - Blonde bombshell so popular she was given her own game, but really is only notable for her looks.
Kasumi (Dead or Alive) - Like Nina Williams, she might be able to serve it up to the boys in any fighting tournament, but is really best known for her bouncing assets.
Yorda (Ico) - Perhaps the ultimate damsel in distress, Yorda had to be literally dragged to safety. But Yorda's helplessness engineered real concern and responsibility for her wellbeing, and the glorious push and tug of the two characters’ arms as they scurry hand-in-hand is one of Ico's many charms.