Summary
With the advent of new technology and more powerful hardware, video game characters were given the ability to speak, and the industry changed forever asfranchises likeFinal FantasyandMetal Geartook advantage of them in some incredible ways. But while a huge number of iconic video game characters eventually get a voice actor, many of them remain silent and have not yet made the jump. While legendary characters like Mario and Solid Snake emerged from their 2D eras with a prominent voice actor to guide them, many characters have stayed right where they are.
These characters are true icons in the industry but remain without a firm voice actor to speak of. It’s unusual, especially when one considers just how important voice acting is to games today, but there’s something to be said about certain developers sticking to their guns. Some of them have even had supporting characters that were previously silent start speaking, but these characters still lack a strong, consistent voice presence.
Considering the deceptively complex lore of theBombermanseries, whichloosely shares a universewith theLode Runnergames, it’s a bit shocking that the character has gone this long without a voice actor attached to the role. Debuting in 1983,Bombermanis one of the oldest franchises in the industry, and the character has starred in some of the most addictive and compelling video games ever made.
Exactly what type of voice is appropriate for Bomberman could vary depending on the tone, as the early games in the series featured a dark, almost dystopian feeling that saw the little guy attempting to escape enslavement. The recentSuper Bomberman Rgames have been outstanding, but would likely require a voice akin to a Saturday morning cartoon. Either way, Bomberman is a character that could benefit from a voice, as giving him some more personality to match his iconic design may be worth a shot.
Ever since its debut in 1996, theCrash Bandicootfranchise has become one of the most influential and beloved platforming series due to its charming aesthetic and playful lead character.The legendary marsupial isone of the staples of the 1990s and his continued legacy has resulted in some of the best platforming games on the market, culminating in his triumphant return withCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.
Despite all that, however, Crash Bandicoot is still without a permanent voice. Outside a few shrieks and yells, Crash does not have a normal speaking voice of any sort, which is a shame considering that his villains and supporting cast all have voices. It would be excellent to hear them exchange some quips and banter with each other, but after nearly 30 years, it seems like Crash is fated never to have a voice of his own.
In a world full of villains and supporting characters that talk constantly, it says a lot that the lead character of thePortalseries, a brave woman named Chell, doesn’t utter a word. This outstanding female lead finds herself at odds with the encroaching hand of technology and machines,as her archenemy, GLaDOS, spends the majority of the series tormenting Chell. Their one-way relationship makes for some terrific comedy that often mixes with horror, as Chell’s quiet strength clashes with GLaDOS' sinister machinations.
Portal 2, meanwhile, introduces the nefarious Wheatley, who descends into madness upon being corrupted by GLaDOS. Chell’s twisted relationship with robots, all done without a single line of dialogue from her, is a pretty remarkable achievement. GLaDOS and Wheatley are a couple of chatterboxes, which makes it difficult for Chell to get a word in, as the writing lends itself wonderfully to her journey. It could be interesting to give Chell a voice for any potential appearances in the future, but for now, this silent warrior is still one of gaming’s most incredible heroines.
First appearing in the originalDoomin 1993, the stoic, quiet hero of the franchise has become one of the industry’s most popular characters and remains a key figure of the first-person shooter genre. Known as both Doomguy and the Doomslayer, this cold-blooded demon killer has not spoken a word other than some brief dialogue inDoom Eternal.
As far as having a permanent actor fixed to him in the way that Solid Snake or Nathan Drake does, Doomguy is still carrying the flag for silent protagonists, and maybe it’s better if it stays that way.Doom’s commitment to brutal,fast-paced demon-killing actionis enhanced by his calm, quiet demeanor. Unlike a lot of 90s FPS protagonists, like Duke Nukem and B.J. Blazkowicz, Doomguy wasn’t one for one-liners, which has helped to solidify his outstanding legacy.
After nearly 40 years,through multiple franchise changesand shifts,The Legend of Zeldahas managed to keep one tradition entirely intact, which is not giving series star Link a voice. From his debut on the NES up to his latest adventure on the Switch, Link has remained completely silent outside grunts and death sounds, a rather impressive feat considering how many Nintendo characters have been given a voice over the years.
Recently, Princess Zelda, Ganon, and the supporting cast were all given voices inBreath of the Wild, but Nintendo opted to keep to tradition with Link. To keep the player immersed in the battle-tested boots of Link, they continue to keep him silent, but considering the cinematic shift that the franchise has seen sinceBreath of the Wild, it may be time to reconsider and find someone suitable to brink him to life.
There may not be a more iconic silent protagonist in gaming than Gordon Freeman, the star of theHalf-Lifefranchise that first debuted in 1998. And despite some brief grunts and breathing sounds, he has not uttered a single word throughout two mainline games and several spin-offs.As important asHalf-Lifeis to the shooter genre, Gordon Freeman is equally important as a character, as his all-business attitude in the face of a hostile alien invasion is admirable.
Gordon’s character arc from scientist to revolutionary is one ofHalf-Life’sstrongest narrative points, as he doesn’t even need a voice for one to understand the harrowing nature of an ordinary man trapped in extraordinary circumstances. It helps that everyone around Gordon has no issue with speaking, as it has led to some of the franchise’s best moments, seeing everyone rally around him and hold him up as the leader of the human revolution. Gordon Freeman may not have a voice actor, but he is still one of gaming’s most legendary protagonists.
