Voice-Acting in Games. Do ya like it or not?

[The Devil Man]

Today I was reading a review of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess when I read something wierd.

The reviewer took a percentage point 'away' from Zelda because 'It has no voice-acting. Unforgivable Nintendo!'



Fool!

So this got me thinking. Do you personally think voice-acting in games is ever necessary?

I personally HATE it. I can not stand voice-acting in Games and I find it a waste of time. I prefer to use my imagination to characterise, errr, characters in Games and more games have bad voice acting then good.

I can't stand it all

Do you think it is necessary or not? Do you prefer your games to have voice acting, or could you not give a damn either way?

[Tifa's Real Lover(really]

i dont like to read novels in a video games, nor do i like to hear long speeches

[Breine]

I really like it when it's done well as in games like the Kingdom Hearts series, the Metal Gear Solid series, Tomb Raider: Legend and Dark Chronicle.

I know what you mean, though. It's nice to imagine how the characters sound like and such, but in some games it would just be dull without any voice-overs.

The Zelda games have never really had voice-overs, though.

[Odaisé Gaelach]

Do you personally think voice-acting in games is ever necessary?

Yes! Of course! Sometimes, you can get away with it, (is it true that the Zelda games never had voiceovers?), or if you're playing on a handheld console.

Other than that, I can't really imagine games without voice acting. It adds to the realism and the excitement.

[Roto13]

Taking away a point from a Zelda game for not having voiceovers is ridiculous. I wouldn't trust that reviewer at all.

[Timerk]

Nintendo has said many times that they don't use much voice acting in Zelda games as an artistic decision, so I think reviewers should accept that and not act like it is some surprise.

In terms of the whole industry, though, I think the ship has kinda sailed on that, and it is going to be expected that games have voice acting in them from here on out, especially if the game is story intensive. I like voice acting, but I am not sure if it would be a deal breaker for me or not, it certainly wouldn't stop me from playing a Zelda game.

[Giga Guess]

Taking away a point from a Zelda game for not having voiceovers is ridiculous. I wouldn't trust that reviewer at all.

Ludicrous indeed. Zelda games have never had voiceovers, beyond "Oohs" and "Aahs." I don't think they ever will. And I'm quite certain, Link will never actually speak. If they ever changed that, I don't think it'll ever be the same.

That said, voice acting done right can augment a game rather effectively. Voice acting done wrong is flat out irritating.

[Craig]

The voice acting in Grandia 2 was annoying. Not that it was bad or anything but they just wouldn't shut up!

[XxSephirothxX]

I think it's a valid point. As gaming technology advances, we're gradually moving away from the old method of having to read gobs of text for everything that goes on. You can deliver far more emotion and intensity with voice acting, so long as it is well done. Nintendo doesn't seem to be a big fan of voice acting, as they don't include it in any of their big titles. I don't really mind, but having all the conversation delivered by text can and will retract from the immersion in the game. It's just some person's opinion, and if he thinks games are better with voice acting, it seems a little silly to jump all over him for it.

[Elite Lord Sigma]

I really like it when it's done well as in games like the Kingdom Hearts series, the Metal Gear Solid series, Tomb Raider: Legend and Dark Chronicle.

I know what you mean, though. It's nice to imagine how the characters sound like and such, but in some games it would just be dull without any voice-overs.

The Zelda games have never really had voice-overs, though.

Well, except for Wand of Gamelon, but since nobody likes that game to begin with, that point is moot.

[Jessweeee♪]

I prefer voice acting as long as it isn't too terrible, but I like games without it too.

[ff7+ff10 gurl 100]

Well, I myself, like a combination of both. I like voice acting as long as it isn't too annoying. But I don't like voice acting ALL the time..put some reading in there too, not just talking the whole game, it'll get annoying eventually. So a nice balance of the two would be nice. But I do like the old games with no voices, like FF7 for example, no voices. It was awesome, and I loved it. If it's remade though, voices would be nice. xD.

[The Devil Man]

By the way the magazine in question was, ironically enough,

The Official Nintendo Magazine in the UK.

Go figure. They have a website and crappy Forum somewhere if you wanna check it out. For all you UK EoFF'ers, check out this months issue. They give Twilight Princess it a 'red cross' for not having voice-overs.

[NINJA_Ryu]

you know they should get rid of voice overs and instead add....

FMVs!!!!! Like C&C, with actors as the charachters :P

westwood pulled it off well, and they really need to bring it back in the industry

but all in all, voice acting is good in my books, as long as it is done wel, and not bored to death by long monologues.

[StarlightAngel]

If they get the right voices, and if it sounds decent, sure. I love it. But if not, it sucks, and is horribly annoying.