Tomb Raider, known for its adventurous gameplay and iconic protagonist Lara Croft, offers a unique platform to explore feminist themes within the gaming landscape. In this blog post, I will discuss my experiences playing Tomb Raider as a feminist, examine the critiques I have of the game, and explore how it intertwines with feminist theories.
Playing Tomb Raider as a feminist has been a paradoxical experience. On one hand, the game presents a powerful and capable female lead who defies gender norms and confronts dangerous challenges head-on. The portrayal of Lara Croft as an intelligent, resourceful, and physically skilled character is empowering. It challenges the traditional damsel in distress trope and offers a refreshing alternative representation of femininity in gaming.
Moreover, Tomb Raider introduces an intriguing narrative that explores Lara’s growth and resilience. It provides a platform for her personal journey, highlighting her determination and agency. Through gameplay, I could witness her transformation from a vulnerable young woman to a strong, independent explorer, which resonated deeply with feminist ideals of female empowerment.
However, despite these positive aspects, Tomb Raider is not immune to criticism. One notable critique is the portrayal of Lara’s physical appearance. In earlier iterations of the game, she was often objectified through exaggerated proportions and skimpy attire. This was noted as well in Chess’s Play Like a Feminist. Although recent installments have attempted to address this issue by presenting a more realistic depiction, there is still room for improvement. The game could benefit from a more diverse range of body types and clothing options that better reflect the diversity of women in real life.
Another concern lies in the game’s representation of gender dynamics. While Tomb Raider challenges traditional gender roles through its female protagonist, it often falls back into stereotypical narratives and tropes when it comes to other characters. Male characters, for instance, frequently assume the role of protectors or adversaries, perpetuating a binary power dynamic. To truly embrace feminist perspectives, the game could explore more nuanced and complex relationships between characters, defying traditional gender norms and expectations.
Tomb Raider does exhibit some connection to feminist theories, particularly in terms of agency and female empowerment. It aligns with theories that emphasize the importance of representation, challenging gender stereotypes, and promoting diverse narratives. By allowing players to step into the shoes of a strong female protagonist, the game promotes the idea that women can be heroes in their own right, capable of overcoming obstacles and driving their own narratives.
However, the game falls short in fully engaging with intersectional feminist perspectives. Intersectionality acknowledges the ways in which gender intersects with race, class, and other identities to shape experiences and systems of oppression. Tomb Raider tends to overlook these intersections, failing to address the complexities that arise from them. By incorporating intersectional feminist perspectives, the game could offer a more inclusive and authentic representation of women’s experiences, enabling players to connect with a broader range of identities and stories.
To improve Tomb Raider from a feminist standpoint, the game developers could consider several approaches. Firstly, they could further refine the portrayal of female characters by emphasizing their agency, diversifying their appearances, and avoiding objectification. Secondly, the game could actively challenge and subvert traditional gender roles by introducing more complex and nuanced relationships among characters, providing opportunities for diverse expressions of masculinity and femininity.
Moreover, incorporating intersectional feminist perspectives would enrich the game’s narrative by acknowledging the diverse experiences and identities of women. This could involve exploring the intersections of gender, race, class, and other factors, allowing for greater representation and authentic storytelling.
Discussion Question:
How can game developers strike a balance between empowering female characters like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider while simultaneously addressing intersectional feminist concerns and providing more inclusive representations of women in gaming?
