8 Mind-Blowing Open-World Games Where the Protagonist Never Says a Word

Summary

The choice between a silent or voiced protagonist depends on the game’s genre, story, and goals for player immersion or narrative focus.
Silent protagonists enhance immersion in open-world RPGs that allow players to shape their characters, such as Skyrim and Elden Ring.
Several open-world games feature silent protagonists despite having pre-designed, established characters, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Shadow of the Colossus.

The debate over whether the main character in a game should be voiced or silent is an ongoing one and depends on various aspects, such as the narrative and genre of the game. For certain genres, a silent protagonist can boost immersion, especially in open-world RPGs where players create their characters and make decisions from the beginning. In many gaming franchises, silent protagonists have become iconic, making it hard to envision figures like Half-Life’s Gordon Freeman speaking aloud.

In many games, developers skillfully employ silent protagonists to create impactful experiences. However, in narratives that heavily rely on dialogue, a mute lead can seem incongruous when they lack options for interaction and ignore characters who speak to them (like Metro Exodus). Additionally, in open-world games, overly chatty protagonists can interrupt the immersion during exploration by causing unnecessary distractions. Here, we’ll discuss some outstanding open-world games that feature entirely silent protagonists who don’t interrupt the player’s direct experiences.

1. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

The Dragonborn (Dovahkiin)

Just like many other role-playing games (RPGs) from Bethesda, such as Fallout 3, Oblivion, and Starfield, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most acclaimed and distinctive open-world RPGs starring a mute protagonist. Players have the freedom to mold their own Last Dragonborn character, selecting their race, gender, and appearance as they please. In line with the conventions of the genre, interactions with other characters or companions in Skyrim involve choosing from pre-written text responses.

In a timeless manner, Skyrim showcases a captivating universe that has kept gamers engrossed for years, implying that silent protagonists might be ideal for open-world RPGs boasting vast freedom. This game provides players yearning for an alternative reality the chance to truly live as their character, plunging themselves into a world brimming with deep history, fascinating characters, and endless adventures.

2. STALKER: Shadow Of Chernobyl

Marked One (Strelok)

In the game STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, the protagonist is a silent character who’s also experiencing amnesia, a common trait in gaming leads. The character later identified as Strelok (originally known as The Marked One) is typical of RPG characters, enabling players to choose their responses during conversations with NPCs. However, unlike other games, the protagonist does not speak during gameplay. In certain cutscenes and notably in the finale, you’ll hear Strelok’s voice, particularly when expressing his desires to the Monolith. But this doesn’t significantly affect the protagonist’s understanding of the main storyline throughout the game.

It’s uncertain if the original game featured a silent protagonist due to creative decisions or financial limitations. However, in the upcoming game Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, players will encounter a fully-voiced protagonist named Skif, while Strelok reappears as a significant character, interacting with players as Skif via voice-overs. The sequel’s cinematic style strengthens the storyline without compromising the game’s distinctive atmosphere.

3. Fallout: New Vegas

The Courier

Fallout: New Vegas is still considered one of the fan favorites in the franchise, thanks to its unforgettable characters. Much like its predecessors, New Vegas offers intricate character development via the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system, enabling players to design complex character types for the Courier. Additionally, the game’s immersive role-playing aspects contribute to a distinctive adventure and increase the appeal of multiple playthroughs.

In the role-playing game (RPG) series known as Fallout, it is only in Fallout 4 where the protagonist has a voice. This design choice, which continues to spark discussions among fans of the series, may have been well-suited for a game that dared to streamline the traditional role-playing system, intending to make Fallout more user-friendly.

4. Far Cry 5

The Junior Deputy (Rook)

In the top-selling game of the Far Cry series, titled Far Cry 5, a number of daring choices were made, such as incorporating a character creator for the first time and featuring a protagonist who remains silent throughout. Yet, unlike most games in the open-world genre, this choice to make the Deputy character mute can feel at odds with the narrative-focused gameplay experience. In many instances, characters speak directly to Rook, receiving no response, and players find themselves lacking the text dialogue options typically found in role-playing games (RPGs).

Instead of being silent, the main character adds depth to game immersion because many Ubisoft open-world games feature overly chatty protagonists who frequently comment on players’ objectives. However, Ubisoft switched tactics in Far Cry 6 by including the voiced protagonist Dani Rojas and focusing more on a cinematic storytelling style, which includes scenes with the main character instead of relying solely on a first-person perspective.

5. Elden Ring

Tarnished

In contrast to FromSoftware’s other Souls series, Elden Ring stands out by offering a vast and distinct open world, and it boasts the greatest number of side characters (NPCs) for players to interact with and embark on optional story arcs with them. Unlike its predecessors, however, Elden Ring does not require a player-created silent protagonist.

In Elden Ring, each choice you make significantly impacts the storyline, leading to unforeseen consequences due to its emphasis on substantial interactions. Additionally, a unique aspect of communication in this game is the gesture system, which allows players to advance quests, solve puzzles, or discover hidden areas and locations at times.

6. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Link

The Legend of Zelda,” a widely recognized and iconic video game series, is often linked to a protagonist who doesn’t speak. Games like “Breath of the Wild” (and soon “Tears of the Kingdom“) demonstrate this characteristic well. Despite lacking a voice or actively participating in dialogue, Link remains a well-developed and sympathetic character, distinguished by his stoic demeanor as he traverses the game world.

In the book “Creating a Champion,” it’s suggested that Link’s lack of emotion stems from his deep commitment to his knightly duties and warrior responsibilities, leaving him reserved and mostly silent. Conversely, in the game “Breath of the Wild,” Link exhibits more expressiveness and a lighter demeanor while still maintaining his signature quietness.

7. Dragon’s Dogma 2

Arisen

Similar to games like Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen and numerous open-world action-RPGs from the 2010s, Dragon’s Dogma 2 showcases a protagonist who doesn’t speak. Essentially, it appears that Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a contemporary interpretation of classic RPGs, frequently evoking memories of its predecessor but in a fresh setting, which should appeal to gamers who appreciate its traditional take on the role-playing genre.

In Dragon’s Dogma 2, players are given the freedom to customize their Arisen character by selecting gender and race, and later create diverse Pawn companions with different races, genders, and classes. This version of the game places more emphasis on action rather than dialogue, thus the silent protagonist fits perfectly for an immersive exploration in its challenging medieval setting.

8. Shadow Of The Colossus

Wander

In contrast to typical open-world games, Shadow of the Colossus delivers a profoundly melancholic, mostly silent narrative. It minimizes spoken dialogue and cutscenes, instead relying heavily on actions and music to convey its story. The tale develops primarily through experiences, avoiding excessive guidance or detailed explanations.

In this style, Wander serves as a quietly enigmatic lead character, ideally fitting for a lonely (and enigmatic) expedition where players are given autonomy in an apparent straightforward quest to conquer and vanquish sixteen colossal entities across a sprawling landscape that offers little else apart from this main objective. Straying from the usual open-world gameplay filled with busywork, Shadow of the Colossus offers a distinctive and impactful adventure, as every facet of its design, even the silent protagonist, contributes to a singular experience.

2025-04-28 03:44