What are examples of the best and worst voice acting in a video game?
Best and Worst Voice Acting in a Video Game
- Thread starter The Overlord
- Start date
Probably one of the more obvious choices, but I immediately thought of Metal Gear Solid for the best (major spoilers in the first video).
[yt]www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3nzuv87ik4[/yt]
Of all the games that I've played, those two cutscenes are instantly guaranteed to bring me to tears every time.
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IimjoFyUktY[/yt]
[yt]www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3nzuv87ik4[/yt]
Of all the games that I've played, those two cutscenes are instantly guaranteed to bring me to tears every time.
For me, the Legacy of Kain series had the best voice acting by far.
A few examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWty8BsL_g0&list=PL37D7704F129D197C&index=42&feature=plpp_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnsJaWRn24w&list=PL37D7704F129D197C&index=43&feature=plpp_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugzwy_INHRU&list=PL37D7704F129D197C&index=82&feature=plpp_video
A few examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWty8BsL_g0&list=PL37D7704F129D197C&index=42&feature=plpp_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnsJaWRn24w&list=PL37D7704F129D197C&index=43&feature=plpp_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugzwy_INHRU&list=PL37D7704F129D197C&index=82&feature=plpp_video
The original Fallout had stellar voice acting, especially for a game of its time.
I was just talking to Emilia the other day about how the voice acting in Quest for Glory IV was awesome, particularly John Rhys-Davis' narration.
On the other hand, I picked up the original Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War recently, and wow, some of the voice acting in that is really bad. There's one particular character that has an incredibly bizarre accent for no apparent reason. I guess they were trying to drive home that these are futuristic and strange humans, but it just made everything seem silly.
Anyone remember the voice acting in the original Resident Evil? Oh my God.
"I hope this isn't Chris' blood!" "Wait! Don't open! That door!"
I was just talking to Emilia the other day about how the voice acting in Quest for Glory IV was awesome, particularly John Rhys-Davis' narration.
On the other hand, I picked up the original Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War recently, and wow, some of the voice acting in that is really bad. There's one particular character that has an incredibly bizarre accent for no apparent reason. I guess they were trying to drive home that these are futuristic and strange humans, but it just made everything seem silly.
Anyone remember the voice acting in the original Resident Evil? Oh my God.
"I hope this isn't Chris' blood!" "Wait! Don't open! That door!"
I have to agree with Robert on Dawn of War. I almost quit the game several times because the voices were driving me crazy 
If you think the original DoW had bad voice acting, you haven't played its last expansion Soulstorm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJMLfACod48
Spez Mereenes!!
Not to mention Metal Bawkses:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO3MttgvHUY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJMLfACod48
Spez Mereenes!!
Not to mention Metal Bawkses:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO3MttgvHUY
Best? Jennifer Hale as Commander Shepard. By a mile.
Worst? Oh dear god there are so very many...the old Resident Evil games have to be way up there, though to be fair that had about as much to do with writing as acting.
Worst? Oh dear god there are so very many...the old Resident Evil games have to be way up there, though to be fair that had about as much to do with writing as acting.
Fine.......I'll say it. Mark Meer. I'll take his Commander Shepard over Hale's anyday. I've said it before and I'll say it again. His voice sounds like that of a regular human being speaking as they would naturally. Femshep always sounds like a women TRYING to sound tough. I don't buy it for a second. Plus....nobody likes a Newfie....
Meer's good, but he's no Hale.
(Saxton)
(Saxton)
Barry Burton: Jill, here's a lockpick. It might come in handy if you, the master of unlocking, take it with you.
Barry Burton: I hope this is not Chris' blood!
Three guesses as to my opinion as to the best or worst acting... and the first two don't count!
Barry Burton: I hope this is not Chris' blood!
Three guesses as to my opinion as to the best or worst acting... and the first two don't count!
Leonard Nimoy narrating Civ 4. Epic.
Also, some of my favourite voice acting comes from Anachronox. A sadly underrated game.
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSoko3qsJII[/yt]
Also, some of my favourite voice acting comes from Anachronox. A sadly underrated game.
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSoko3qsJII[/yt]
I want to say hands down that the best voice acting I've ever heard in a video game was from Grand Theft Auto IV. Actually, that was the first time I realized that these were actually performed by actors and there was a director and not just some computer geeks with a mic.
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTGfZcAJoUM&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/yt]
Like I said, I want to say that, but the recent Uncharted 3 with Nolan North makes me wonder. There are so many great moments between these characters. I really love this series.
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JInFSqSq36c&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/yt]
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTGfZcAJoUM&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/yt]
Like I said, I want to say that, but the recent Uncharted 3 with Nolan North makes me wonder. There are so many great moments between these characters. I really love this series.
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JInFSqSq36c&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/yt]
More from Uncharted 3
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYJLaRH9ZNw&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/yt]
I love Elena. One if the best NPC's of all time IMHO. If you listen to the subtle grunts and groans Drake is doing when he rolls, jumps and punches, the reason it sounds so real is because it is. Naughty Dog have their actors actually perform these stunts and record their voices while doing so. They call it "performance capture." that one reason why the Uncgarted franchise is so special IMHO.
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYJLaRH9ZNw&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/yt]
I love Elena. One if the best NPC's of all time IMHO. If you listen to the subtle grunts and groans Drake is doing when he rolls, jumps and punches, the reason it sounds so real is because it is. Naughty Dog have their actors actually perform these stunts and record their voices while doing so. They call it "performance capture." that one reason why the Uncgarted franchise is so special IMHO.
Fine.......I'll say it. Mark Meer. I'll take his Commander Shepard over Hale's anyday. I've said it before and I'll say it again. His voice sounds like that of a regular human being speaking as they would naturally. Femshep always sounds like a women TRYING to sound tough. I don't buy it for a second. Plus....nobody likes a Newfie....
Well, to be fair I've been a fan of Hale's since I was 10 years old watching the Carmen Sandiego cartoon, so...
I think Jim McCance does a great job as Darth Baras in SWTOR.
I'm with you. I definitely prefer Meer's Shepard over Hale's. Particularly his Renegade Shepard.Fine.......I'll say it. Mark Meer. I'll take his Commander Shepard over Hale's anyday. I've said it before and I'll say it again. His voice sounds like that of a regular human being speaking as they would naturally. Femshep always sounds like a women TRYING to sound tough. I don't buy it for a second. Plus....nobody likes a Newfie....
I'd have to agree that the Uncharted games have some fantastic voice work. Nolan North is great as Nathan Drake, but Emily Rose's Elena Fisher is just as good.
Oh yeah, I forgot about Uncharted, or Uncharted 2 more precisely. Loved the voice acting in that game. Hell, the whole game was phenomenal. It's a great example of having every aspect come together brilliantly.
