Video Game Heroine of the Month: Claire Redfield, Resident Evil 2

With the Resident Evil 2 remake right around the corner, it's time to take a look back at the franchise and some of the amazing characters it's spawned — particularly women. Jill Valentine is iconic in her own right, but we've got to give credit where credit is due and talk about Claire Redfield, one of the stars of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil - Code: Veronica, and several other games in the Resident Evil universe.

She's bad to the bone, and you'd better be glad you're not a zombie because she'd blow you in half. Get ready for Claire, who we've chosen as January's Video Game Heroine of the Month! 

Claire's getting a totally new look as of the Resident Evil 2 remake, and she's come a long way since 1998. Her first appearance was in Resident Evil 2, which debuted on the Playstation in 1998. She first struck out on her own while looking for her missing brother Chris, a member of the special police unit S.T.A.R.S. 

She makes her way to Raccoon City as part of her search, only to be met with crowds of shambling, bloodthirsty zombies upon arrival. Claire teams up with rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy for a while, but for most of her time within the game, she's kicking ass all by herself, or with a little girl named Sherry Birkin, as she faces off against various undead creatures. 

Claire is a strong-willed young woman who's tough as nails and ready to take on any challenge. She's also a fan of bikes, as you may already know — the Harley she rode into Raccoon City isn't just for show. She even has her own specialized bike vest with her signature "Made in Heaven" line on the back of it. 

It's easy to look at Claire and assume she's a pushover since she's another good-looking video game heroine, but she's certainly not one to trifle with. Deadly with a number of firearms, she's also blessed with physical fighting prowess, likely thanks to her training from brother Chris. She's also emotional and compassionate, with a great sense of humor when the situation calls for it. 

We still don't know much about how Claire's path has changed in terms of the newest Resident Evil, but we can't wait to find out. There are only a few days left until Capcom releases the Resident Evil 2 remake upon the ravenous hordes of fans who can't wait to spend time with her (and Leon and Ada!). Until then, make sure you check out Claire in all her glory in Resident Evil 2, the O.G. version that deserves your time and attention. 

Resident Evil 2 Remake is coming to Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on January 25.