TheInfamousKira
Reseterror Resettler
So, it's become a thing with games (some games, I guess) to keep the same voice work for multiple titles, for consistency's sake. But since the advent of fully voiced performances in games and the largely abandoned text boxes, there has also, logically, been recasting of characters. Sometimes people get bored with the role. Sometimes there's a scheduling conflict. Sometimes people pass away. Sometimes the studio wants to go in a different direction. My question for you, GAF collective, is what are your examples of the best and worst of voice recasting in videogames?
My picks for best would probably be
Chris Redfield - Resident Evil 5-6
It's telling that I can't recall the names of the voice actors for RE1, REmake, and CVX who played Chris, but I remember a stiffness and clumsy reading that's probably synonymous with the era of gaming, and also the fact that Capcom was more concerned with engrossing gameplay than believable human pathos, but Roger Craig Smith now defines the character of Chris for me. It's to the point where even newer material that lacks his participation (like Vendetta) emulate his performance for consistency.
Master Xehanort - Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind
For those unaware or who give zero shits about KH, Birth By Sleep, a title originally for the PSP, introduced the character of Master Xehanort, an old evil bald dude who's hobbies included darkness and wiggling his fingers. He was voiced by the legendary Leanord Nimoy, a brilliant on the nose casting choice by Square seeing as his rival, Master Eraqus, was voiced by none other than Mark Hamill, but unfortunately he passed away before being able to reprise his role in future entries. Rutger Hauer replaced him, but the role of Xehanort is apparently cursed, and he, too passed away before the DLC of KH3 released. Replacing both for the DLC (and rerecording of lines for the main game) was Christopher Lloyd, and I feel like he strikes a fine balance between both of his predecessors.
I'll give you my examples of worst later, this is too long as is, but I'm interested in hearing others' opinions about this.
My picks for best would probably be
Chris Redfield - Resident Evil 5-6
It's telling that I can't recall the names of the voice actors for RE1, REmake, and CVX who played Chris, but I remember a stiffness and clumsy reading that's probably synonymous with the era of gaming, and also the fact that Capcom was more concerned with engrossing gameplay than believable human pathos, but Roger Craig Smith now defines the character of Chris for me. It's to the point where even newer material that lacks his participation (like Vendetta) emulate his performance for consistency.
Master Xehanort - Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind
For those unaware or who give zero shits about KH, Birth By Sleep, a title originally for the PSP, introduced the character of Master Xehanort, an old evil bald dude who's hobbies included darkness and wiggling his fingers. He was voiced by the legendary Leanord Nimoy, a brilliant on the nose casting choice by Square seeing as his rival, Master Eraqus, was voiced by none other than Mark Hamill, but unfortunately he passed away before being able to reprise his role in future entries. Rutger Hauer replaced him, but the role of Xehanort is apparently cursed, and he, too passed away before the DLC of KH3 released. Replacing both for the DLC (and rerecording of lines for the main game) was Christopher Lloyd, and I feel like he strikes a fine balance between both of his predecessors.
I'll give you my examples of worst later, this is too long as is, but I'm interested in hearing others' opinions about this.
