What gritty game centers around a vicious morally gray female protagonist?

[sageoftruth]

Would Heavenly Sword count? Actually, even if it matches your quote, I don't think the gameplay is very good. You should pass on that.

 

[sageoftruth]

Perhaps the "Deception" Series of games best fits what you describe, they are dark in tone and often involve lots of clever and merciless carnage... the only caveat being whether or not they 'deserved it'

I don't think that would work. If Bayonetta is too upbeat, then Deception will probably be too silly.

 

[happyninja42]

Would Heavenly Sword count? Actually, even if it matches your quote, I don't think the gameplay is very good. You should pass on that.

Eh, I thought it was a pretty good game for a God of War clone. And yeah I'd say it meets the criteria for the OP.

 

[Saetha]

I second Remember Me, if you can stand the combat. It's basically cyberpunk with a heroine who struggles with the moral soundness of essentially brainwashing people into doing her bidding.

 

[Weresquirrel]

I seem to recall Velvet Assassin's female lead was a fairly grim and vicious lady.

 

[renegade7]

Make a female character in EVE Online? There's all the moral ambiguity you'll ever need and then some.

 

[LongAndShort]

TOMB RAIDER/RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER = Rhianna Pratchett seems to have control over Lara's character now. Her Lara is very different. Sympathetic, concerned with the welfare of others, and "relatable". Not a selfish, cruel sociopath.

... Yet.

Actually I'm really looking forward to seeing where they go with Rise, whether it actually shifts towards 'empowerment fantasy' from 'you want to protect Lara'.

Gonna agree with the people mentioning RPGs and actioners where there's a gender choice. Saints Row, Dragon Age (sorta), Mass Effect (sorta), Sunset Overdrive, Skyrim, etc.

 

[Flammablezeus]

Prototype. Sure, you're not really a male or a female, but you can at least take the form of a female!