Best Silent Protagonists Who Gained A Voice In Sequels

Summary

Silent protagonists are common in video games, representing character development challenges and mixed fan reactions.
Characters like Jak from Jak 2 have evolved from silent to vocal, showing a transition in storytelling.
Games like Dishonored 2 require silent characters like Corvo to gain a voice to enhance story immersion.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I have witnessed the evolution of video game characters from silent, faceless entities to fully-fledged personalities with distinct voices and backstories. This transition has not only added depth to the games but also brought us closer to these digital personas we once considered mere avatars.

For instance, take Corvo Attano from Dishonored 2. As a former bodyguard turned empress protector, he carries the weight of an entire kingdom on his shoulders. His life experiences have molded him into a stoic and resilient character who must navigate treacherous political waters while maintaining his honor and duty. Hearing Stephen Russell’s voice bring Corvo to life adds another layer of immersion that makes me feel like I’m not just playing a game, but living through the eyes of this remarkable man.

And let’s not forget Isaac Clarke from Dead Space 2. From a faceless, voiceless stand-in for the player in the original game to a key player in the sequel with his own voice and personality, Isaac has become one of my favorite video game characters. The developers took a risk by giving him a voice, but it paid off in spades as his character development deepened the story and made me care about his survival even more.

In contrast, there are those who still hold onto the charm of silent protagonists like Master Chief or Solid Snake. But for me, I find that adding a voice to these characters only enhances my experience and makes them feel more human.

And on a lighter note, imagine if Master Chief started talking about how he’s “really good at finding hidden collectibles” or Solid Snake complaining about the weather during stealth missions! Now that would be something to see!

Silent main characters are often seen as either captivating or off-putting. While they offer an opportunity for players to project themselves into the role, fostering immersion in the new environment, they may also seem out of place in dramatic scenes where a well-defined voice might be expected. This can feel awkward or even antiquated to some viewers.

In general, many protagonists are typically depicted as being silent across multiple series. Yet, some production studios choose to break this mold by bestowing their characters with a distinct voice, leading to mixed responses and fan reactions.

Jak – Jak 2

Developing A Voice Through Dark Eco And Strife

Accompanied by Daxter’s robust personality, Jak becomes an appealing silent protagonist for players to identify with. The transition from Naughty Dog’s classic platformer days, as seen in “Jak and Daxter: The Precursor’s Legacy,” to their cinematic-centric era beginning with Jak 2, saw the blonde, blue-clad youngster evolve from a relatable player character to a more vocal, dark-powered anti-hero. During his challenging coming-of-age journey, Jak underwent a transformation into adolescence, which was both literal and figurative.

Indeed, Daxter continued to be present, providing witty comic relief that contrasted with Jak’s introspective monologues. The blend of seriousness and humor contributed significantly to the evolution of the story about the eco-cursed anti-hero, ensuring it remained grounded while still undergoing a metamorphosis into a science-fantasy game reminiscent of an earlier version of Grand Theft Auto for loyal fans.

The Boss – Saints Row 2

The Most Violent Voice Of Reason

In its initial release, Saints Row took after its primary influence, Grand Theft Auto, featuring a mute protagonist who thrived on violence. But in Saints Row 2, instead of just one charismatic voice, players got to experience various vocal performances, each portraying the nameless Boss uniquely.

The Saints Row series became renowned for its exceptional character customization, allowing players to experiment with various aspects such as movement animations, body shapes, clothing styles, and voices. As the series progressed, additional voice options were introduced, notably a zombie-like voice that emits gurgles, flatulence, and growls instead of typical dialogue.

Mario Mario – Super Mario 64

Iconic Pipes For An Iconic Plumber

Initially, Nintendo may not have envisioned giving voice to its most well-known character, Mario, as the technology of data storage was thought to be incapable of storing enough dialogue lines. However, with advancements in technology, particularly games like Mario Teaches Typing, a pinball machine called Super Mario, and notably, Super Mario 64, Mario’s distinctive, cheerful Italian voice has become synonymous with the round, red and blue-shelled turtle jumper.

Prior to Charles Martinet’s voicework becoming globally recognized between 1991 and 1996, particularly in the game Super Mario 64, there may have been much debate about Mario’s tone and accent. However, once his distinctive, friendly pitch for phrases like “It’s-a-me!” and “Let’s-a-go!” became popular, they quickly found a place in gamers’ memories and remained there just as indelibly as Bowser’s persistent quest to capture the princess who bakes cakes.

Rayman – Rayman 2: The Great Escape

Throwing Voices As Well As Fists

In the 1995 game platformer called Rayman, Ubisoft’s character without limbs began his journey as a silent yet endearing mascot who would occasionally make sounds. The storytelling was mainly handled by the quirky characters and occasional text messages. But in Rayman 2: The Great Escape, Rayman got an opportunity to communicate, though it was more like he started to express himself.

In different versions of the game, Rayman might speak complete phrases in a logical language or use nonsensical sounds, occasionally referred to as Wandaye (as noticed in the PlayStation edition). This adds a whimsical touch that contributes to the dreamlike ambiance of Rayman’s universe.

Samus Aran – Metroid: Other M

A New Side To The Galaxy’s Most Feared Bounty Hunter

Until “Metroid: Other M”, Samus Aran, one of the most respected female protagonists in gaming and often seen through her power armor or face-to-face, had always been a stoic figure. Portraying such an iconic badass bounty hunter was a tricky task for any studio. However, the public response to Samus’ vocal characterization in “Metroid: Other M” was generally lukewarm.

In the game “Other M“, although fans appreciated various aspects like its action and style, they found it troubling that Samus seemed excessively submissive towards her commander, Malkovich. Fans were accustomed to seeing Samus act decisively and fearlessly, always ready to fire first and ask questions later. However, witnessing her obey orders not to use certain weapons or equipment when directed by her commander was unexpected and unsettling for some viewers.

Isaac Clarke – Dead Space 2

In Space, No-One Could Hear Isaac Scream… Until The Sequel

Initially, Isaac Clarke was designed to be a nameless, voiceless character representing the player, with the developers believing that giving him a personality would disrupt the eerie ambiance on the Necromorph-overrun Ishimura. However, by the end of the first game, Isaac’s appearance had been unveiled, and for the second installment, “Dead Space 2”, Visceral / EA Redwood sought to make him a significant figure in the storyline.

Incorporating a unique voice and character for Isaac became a significant decision, one that initially seemed daring. However, the enthusiastic response from the audience paved the way for this approach to continue in Dead Space 3 and even the remake of the initial game. Many fans felt that the addition of his voice, despite being contentious, was handled skillfully and tactfully, ultimately enhancing the game’s atmosphere and narrative.

Corvo – Dishonored 2

From Silent Protector To Voiced Avenger

In a stealth game, it can be beneficial to have the main character remain silent. This is because excessive dialogue could divert the player’s attention away from crucial sounds like footsteps or enemy conversations that are essential for the mission. However, in the case of Dishonored 2, the narrative required a more developed persona for Corvo, as a significant portion of the game unfolds in his hometown.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that a similar immersive stealth game has incorporated voiceovers from the main character in the narrative. Interestingly, they selected the same actor (Stephen Russell) who provided the voice for Garrett in the series’ inspiration, Thief, to portray the character of the lord protector, regardless of whether players decide to reprise his role or not.

2024-12-29 11:34