Who needs chit-chat, right? When the world is in danger, when our loved ones are in trouble, there's no need to stop and discuss it, just get out there and kick some ass!
In dedication to the silent heroes of gaming, here is a list of those silent protagonists that don't waste their time with dialogue trees; they just get $&!% done and get it done right!
Image source: Games Radar
Link (The Legend of Zelda)
Dawning his green ensemble and master sword, Link doesn't feel the need for one-liners when he stabs Gannon in the face for the umpteenth time. Just a simple 'RRAAHH!' will do when he swings his sword into an unsuspecting foe... or shrub... or pottery.
Of course, Link did speak in the animated cutscenes for the Philips CD-i games, but that's best left forgotten.
Image source: Kotaku
Chell (Portal)
If you were to wake up in a glass cube with nothing but a bed, toilet, and radio, you'd probably be at a loss for words too. What can be said when solving torturous puzzles? You either get through them or you don't. Plus, with the hilarious wit that of GLaDOS, Chell would just be digging herself a hole if she ever thought twice about talking back to the sarcastic A.I..
Image source: Giant Bomb
Isaac Clarke (Dead Space)
Sure, Isaac eventually found his voice, but you have to admit, there was something more unnerving about the unlucky engineer when all his vocal cords could muster up were agonizing screams. Poor Isaac, he never really could catch a break. But, you do have to give it to him, he never did complain while being chased by flesh-hungry Necromorphs.
Image source: Dead Space Wikia
Gordan Freeman (Half-Life)
Gordan Freeman is the man, the 'Free Man' to be exact. He doesn't take crap from anybody. Just a swift smack from his crowbar, and you get the message. No fuss, no muss. The world need saving from evil tyrannical alien overlords? Sure, Gordon's got no qualms. Just simply point him in the right direction and he'll take care of your Headcrab problem.
Image source: Pop Matters
Alcatraz (Crisis 2)
Manhattan over run by vengeful aliens? Check. Military rendered useless and outnumbered by alien threat? Check. Power suit? Check. Bring it on. While Nomad felt the need to do a useless thing like speak, Alcatraz knew better. What's there to talk about? Just punch your fist into a gooey Seph's face and rip out its brain. Job done.
Image source: Crysis Wikia
Crash Bandicoot (Crash Bandicoot)
'Woah!' That's all we ever heard from the brain dead Bandicoot, but that's probably all the orange hero could say. I'm not one to judge, but Crash never really seemed like the brightest marsupial in the shed, so the fact he's more on the quiet side is probably a good thing.
Image source: Crash Bandicoot Wikia
Jack (Bioshock)
Just having survived a plane crash in the middle of the ocean and stumbling upon an underwater metropolis, it could be safe to say that Jack is suffering through prolonged amazement and shock. Or he may have just hit his head on a piece of carry on luggage and forgot how to talk. Either way, both seem like valid reasons.
Image source: Bioshock Wikia
Jak (Jak and Daxter)
Like Isaac Clarke, Jak did eventually join the speaking bandwagon, but back in his heyday, Jak was the lovingly adorable silent type. With Daxter's big mouth spewing all sorts of nonsensical gibberish, Jak didn't feel the need to talk over him. Instead of exhausting his voice box, he needed to salvage as much energy as he could to find those precursor orbs.
Image source: Jak and Daxter Wikia
Wanderer (Shadow of the Colossus)
With somebody who is as heartbroken and desperate as The Wanderer, is it a surprise that he's doesn't have much to say? That, and apart from his horse, there's not really anybody around to talk to while slaying 200 foot tall behemoths.
Image source: Team ICO Wikia
Corvo (Dishonored)
There's plenty of assassins in the world of video games, but none are as silent as Corvo. While Ezio or Agent 47 are delivering charming wit or grumbling one liners, Corvo remains quiet in the shadows when he sets loose an army of hungry rats to devour an unlucky guard. He doesn't even let off a compulsive 'Eww' when they rip out the poor guy's eyeball.
Image source: Dishonored Wikia
There you have it, some of the best silent heroes in gaming. Who's your favorite silent protagonist? It's okay to use your voice; speak up in comments below!
Published: Aug 31, 2015 09:05 am