How do you feel about Silent Protagonist in video games?

[Gizmo_Duck]

Famous silent protagonist

• Joker - Persona 5
• Gordon Freeman - Half Life
• Link
• Mario
• Samus (mostly)
• Dragon Quest hero’s
• Chrono - Chrono Trigger
• Corvo -Dishonored
• Pokemon Trainer

I feel like I’m kind of over it. I don’t envision myself as the character just because they aren’t talking. Feels like a relic of video games past. Its weird playing something like zelda and people are talking at you and you’re just either standing there or waving your arms around. Just let link speak, dammit.

 

[YvrzTrvly]

Makes thread doesn't even post most bad ass mute. Put some respect on doomguys name

 

[The Prince of All Saiyans]

Link

Could be someone that talks too damn much like Leon Kennedy

 

[DripSzn]

Made no sense in Persona 5. They give this dude a fully fleshed-out backstory and everything and still couldn't be bothered to have him voice his lines.

 

[NZA]

Famous silent protagonist

• Joker - Persona 5
• Gordon Freeman - Half Life
• Link
• Mario
• Samus (mostly)
• Dragon Quest hero’s
• Chrono - Chrono Trigger
• Corvo -Dishonored
• Pokemon Trainer

I feel like I’m kind of over it. I don’t envision myself as the character just because they aren’t talking. Feels like a relic of video games past. Its weird playing something like zelda and people are talking at you and you’re just either standing there or waving your arms around. Just let link speak, dammit.

 

[Neuromancer]

Was never a fan of them.

 

[Kingshango]

When Doomguy/Doomslayer spoke in Doom Eternal i uninstalled it.

 

[Womb Raider]

Outdated trope

 

[MidniteJay]

I was neutral on this until I played Dead Space back in 2009. Bro is just a systems engineer thrown into some cosmic horror bullshyt while trying to find his girlfriend and he doesn't say anything not even complain. When the NPCs would contact him and tell him to go to a certain location which usually lead to some necromorph fukkery, I would've lost my shyt and be like "Nah, bytch do it yourself!"

 

[Diondon]

Mario grunts and squeals

 

[Khalil's_Black_Excellence]

Famous silent protagonist

• Joker - Persona 5
• Gordon Freeman - Half Life
• Link
• Mario
• Samus (mostly)
• Dragon Quest hero’s
• Chrono - Chrono Trigger
• Corvo -Dishonored
• Pokemon Trainer

I feel like I’m kind of over it. I don’t envision myself as the character just because they aren’t talking. Feels like a relic of video games past. Its weird playing something like zelda and people are talking at you and you’re just either standing there or waving your arms around. Just let link speak, dammit.

Technically, Joker actually talks.

And yeah, I don't really like the silent protagonist for pretty much the reasons you just listed.

Made no sense in Persona 5. They give this dude a fully fleshed-out backstory and everything and still couldn't be bothered to have him voice his lines.

He voices all of the Persona names when summoned. And also, there's a scene or two when he says like 1 line. But yeah, the rest of his "dialogue" is just your select chat options in convos. He also says a bit more in the Persona fighting games.

 

[Neuromancer]

You know when I started hating this? Breath of Fire 4

 

[winb83]

Made no sense in Persona 5. They give this dude a fully fleshed-out backstory and everything and still couldn't be bothered to have him voice his lines.

Some silent protagonist are a blank slate to project on. Joker has a pretty well personality in Persona 5 you just don't get to hear him talk.

Silent protagonist are stale now. It's just like selectable romance options. Not really a fan of writers trying to do neutral things to pacify the audience vs telling a defined story. I'd rather have a protagonist I don't like than a silent one.

 

[-DMP-]

Cheap. I like my movie games with the finest of acting

 

[Instant Classic]

I feel it takes you out of the immersion. Also, it feels like they either do it because it cut costs or they want to be neutral on how character is portrayed