augmentedfourth wrote:I don't remember if I ever posted in this thread before, and I'm too lazy to look, but the answer never changes: Alis Landale. I'll echo what previous posters have said about the series having strong female characters (which, alas, is a rarity). I'm glad six-year-old me didn't know that PS was sort of in the minority in that its lead was 1) female, 2) fully-clothed, and 3) not relegated to a "support" or "healer" or "damsel in distress" role. It certainly didn't stop me from running around with my neighbors, waving my "sword" (tree branch) in the air.
While I only agree partly that Phantasy Star have strong female characters, I agree that the tendency of having women characters that are relegated to support, damsel in distress or what we call here in Brazil as "doormat women", is a big letdown on most of games (both Japanese and western). Just to explain the "doormat women" term, is the woman that regardless of the strong and independent demeanor, their sole existence is to serve (either sexually or by sacrifice) the main character, usually a loathsome and egocentrical jerk.
That is why characters from Phantasy Star like Alis, Anna or Nei (or even Nagisa from Portable 2: Infinity) shine.
A person only sees and hears what he wants to see and hear and disregards the rest.