Video games have been responsible for some of the most iconic lines and catchphrases in modern pop culture. Of course, for every well-written game, there’s one that’s packed with cringe-worthy moments and infuriating dialogue. Separate from these games, there is a whole other category in which the title’s leading character doesn’t say a word.
Games with silent protagonists have been around for as long as gaming itself. Although some see it as a lazy choice, there are plenty of instances where the lack of dialogue has helped to make a game stronger. Over the years, gamers have been treated to some fantastic silent characters whose biggest strength often comes not from the things that they say, but what they don’t.
10 Bomberman (Bomberman)
Silent protagonists were fairly common during the early days of gaming – although this was largely a consequence of the technical limitations of the era rather than a design choice. Bomberman was one of these characters. As technology progressed, many of Bomberman’s contemporaries found their voices, but Hudson Soft stuck to their guns.
The Bomberman series is one of the longest running video game franchises in history and that after 35 years Bomberman remains silent is quite the achievement. Of course, this is helped somewhat by the simplicity of the games in which he features. The series isn’t really known for its complex narratives so there’s actually very little reason for him to speak.
9 The Stranger (Myst)
One of the more common reasons for opting to keep a protagonist silent is to better allow the player to project themselves onto the character they’re controlling. Rather than simply a protagonist who doesn’t speak, they’re designed to be blank canvases. Myst is one of the earliest examples of this tactic being put to good use.
Myst‘s immersive gameplay is undoubtedly its biggest strength, but it didn’t come easy. As well as the protagonist being silent, the game’s creators Robyn and Rand Miller even went as far as to leave the protagonist unnamed. This was almost unheard of at the time, but it ended up being a great choice. The complete lack of identity allowed The Stranger to take on any characteristics or qualities that the player could imagine. This made them a great character to control.
8 Serge (Chrono Cross)
Although Crono is almost certainly a better protagonist (and Chrono Trigger a better game), Serge is arguably a better example of a silent protagonist. This might be an unpopular opinion, but there’s method to the madness. Not only does Serge’s silence allow the player to project themselves onto him, but it also enhances and impacts the game’s narrative.
While Serge is silent for the vast majority of Chrono Cross, there is a period of the game where the game’s main antagonist Lynx takes control of his body. During this time, his sudden speech alerts both players and party members to the fact that something has changed. It was a creative way of utilizing a mechanic that was likely forced on the developer by budgetary or technologic constraints.
7 Sparrow (Fable II)
The Fable series is perhaps best known for its unrealized potential. One character that definitely lived up to his potential though was Fable II‘s Sparrow. They may be a little goofy at times, but they’re one of the most relatable protagonists in the franchise. This is largely due to their silence.
Given the game’s heavy emphasis on morality, keeping Sparrow on mute helped players to feel the full weight of their choices. It wasn’t Sparrow forcibly evicting those poor villagers from their homes and businesses in order to fulfill their dream of being a slumlord – it was the player. Knowing this likely encouraged more than a few players to think about their choices a little more than they otherwise would have.
6 Claude (Grand Theft Auto)
Grand Theft Auto III took the series in a whole new direction and into a whole new dimension as well. There were some big changes, but one of the things that the game kept from previous titles was the idea of a silent protagonist. That and complete & total chaos. Claude is one of the best and most fondly remembered of the GTA anti-heroes, and he manages this without saying a word.
The decision not to give Claude a voice was made both to make him more relatable and, by the developer’s own admission, to allow them to focus on more important areas of the game. Regardless of the reason though, it would be hard to argue that it wasn’t the right choice. Claude’s silence does nothing to hinder the game’s narrative and also provides some humorous moments.
5 Gordon Freeman (Half-Life)
Gordon Freeman is one of the most popular video game characters of all time. He’s the main protagonist in Valve’s hugely successful Half-Life series and is the scourge of Aliens everywhere. Throughout his numerous appearances though, he has never spoken a word.
When Alyx Vance called Freeman ‘a man of few words’ at the beginning of Half-Life 2, she didn’t know the half of it. Although there are a few instances throughout the series where Freeman’s silence comes across as being a little strange, the character routinely demonstrates just how effective a simple look or nod can be at conveying feelings.
4 Doom Slayer (Doom)
Some action heroes like Duke Nukem rely on cheesy catchphrases to cement their badass statuses. Doom Slayer does his talking on the battlefield. The way that he effortlessly tears through demons says more about his character than words ever could. Besides, what exactly does one say to a hell demon?
Although he made the odd utterance in some of his earlier outings, id Software made the decision to go completely silent when they rebooted the franchise in 2016. His silence not only serves to enforce his stoic nature, but also to emphasize the carnage going on around him. Doom has some of the best sound design in gaming and it’s great that this isn’t ruined by useless dialogue.
3 Chell (Portal)
As with the Half-Life franchise before it, Valve opted to go with a silent protagonist for Portal. It’s a decision that’s paid off well. Chell’s silence only strengthens the feelings of isolation that the abandoned Aperture facility evokes. To many, there is nothing more terrifying than being alone, but Portal teaches us that there are worse things.
Sure, being alone can be scary, but not half as horrifying as being trapped alone with an insane killer AI system. That players are given no real indication as to how Chell is feeling allows them to decide for themselves. Given some of the insults that GLaDOS hurls in her direction though, it’s amazing that she is able to bite her tongue and be the bigger woman.
2 Red (Pokémon Red & Blue)
Pokémon Red & Blue did a fantastic job of incorporating a silent protagonist into their narrative. That’s not to say that Red’s silence really enhances the experience in any way, but its integration is so smooth that many players will not even notice that the protagonist doesn’t say a word throughout the entire game.
When creating Pokémon, Satoshi Tajiri drew inspiration from many of his own childhood experiences. It’s for this reason that he wanted the protagonist of the games to serve as a mirror for the player rather than them being a fully-fleshed out character. The ability to name the protagonist along with their silence during the game certainly help to achieve this goal.
1 Link (The Legend Of Zelda)
Link is one of the most iconic silent protagonists in gaming and for good reason. He appears in some of the greatest games ever made and has defeated enemies that would leave most other video game protagonists cowering in fear. What’s more impressive is that he has achieved all of this without ever needing to say a word.
After decades of silence, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild finally shed some light on why Link never speaks. According to Princess Zelda’s diary, he chooses to remain silent in order to avoid troubling others with the burdens that he carries with him. Given how much is usually at stake in Zelda games, this actually makes a lot of sense.
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