Video games have come a long way, starting from mere text on a screen. Today, many feature full-on voice acting that brings the characters and the world to life which was almost unimaginable years ago. This evolution has been driven by the desire to create a more immersive experience, with voice acting helping to form emotional connections between players and the characters.
Many developers have understood the assignment, as proven by the following games. They have set a high standard for the art of video game voice acting, featuring many big-name talents who have become household names. Their nuanced and expressive performances have paved the path for future titles to follow.
10 Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune showed exactly what cinematic gaming could achieve, thanks to its bombastic voice acting and engaging set pieces. The performance of Nolan North is stellar, with his portrayal of Drake perfectly capturing the character's wry wit and adventurous spirit.
This, coupled with the strength of the rest of the cast, brings the game's story to life in a way that feels natural. It may not have aged that well, but Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was groundbreaking during its time and formed the template that future PlayStation exclusives would follow.
9 Bastion
Bastion is an indie game that is highly memorable because of Logan Cunningham's narration. It was the voice actor's first role in the industry and formed a great bond with Supergiant Games.
Cunningham's smooth, deep voice is atmospheric, immersing players in the game's world and enhancing the overall experience. Many people would argue that Bastion would pretty much be a forgettable game had it not been for the silky-smooth narration of this title.
8 Hades
Supergiant Games absolutely exploded in popularity with the release of Hades, in no small part because of its amazing voice acting. However, many people argue that it's the amazing dialogue structure of the game that really makes its voice acting stand out.
The dialogue accounts for pretty much every player action, including ones that most people wouldn't normally take. This adds a ton of depth to the characters and their relationships, making the story feel all the more impactful.
7 Dragon's Lair
Dragon's Lair needs no further introduction. As Disney's iconic arcade game, it was among the first titles ever to have human voices, and that alone makes it a legendary part of video gaming history.
Gameplay-wise, Dragon's Lair was nothing special and felt more like an interactive movie than anything else. However, it still felt way ahead of its time and arguably paved the way for professional voice acting in video games.
6 Spec Ops: The Line
Nolan North shines once again, this time as Captain Walker from Spec Ops: The Line. The game is rife with moral ambiguity, showcasing the horrors of war even if the message gets muddled in the uninspired gameplay of this title.
North's portrayal of Walker captures the character's descent into madness perfectly, making for a gripping and unforgettable gaming experience. It's a shame that Spec Ops: The Line didn't perform well commercially, since it still stands the test of time as one of the best video game stories of all time.
5 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Following its launch on the same day as Half-Life 2, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines didn't receive the warmest of welcomes. That said, it has since become a cult classic RPG. It's a shame it didn't get the attention it deserved at release, as many who give it a chance end up absolutely loving what this game has to offer despite featuring its fair share of bugs and glitches.
Perhaps the best part of this game is its amazing dialogue, which is further bolstered by fantastic voice acting. Even now, the performances of the characters are incredible and breathe life into the game's memorable scenes.
4 Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver
The Legacy of Kain series has unfortunately fizzled out and probably won't see a new title anytime soon. It's a shame, since the franchise had its fair share of fans, with the voice acting of every game elevating its quality up a notch.
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver is no exception to this golden rule, featuring exceptional voice-acting across the board. Michael Bell's performance is especially notable, capturing Raziel's vengeful nature throughout this dark and brooding journey.
3 Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 10 is the first game in the franchise to feature voice acting, which served as a step in the right direction for the series. Japanese games with English dubs have a bad reputation for many reasons, so it's great to see that Final Fantasy 10 didn't suffer too much in this regard.
While players may lampoon the infamous laughing scene — which has been taken completely out of context — the game's story really shines during moments where the voice acting takes center stage. Those looking for a good and engaging JRPG will be more than pleased with what Final Fantasy 10 brings to the table.
2 Grim Fandango
Known as one of the most beloved point-and-click titles of all time, Grim Fandango benefits from the charming and engaging performances of its main cast. It helps that Manny is a great protagonist, who dishes out the majority of the game's hilarious jokes.
Along with this, the voice acting of the other major and minor characters in the game is full of energy and life, making Grim Fandango infinitely playable to this day. As long as players wrap their heads around the moon logic of most of the puzzles in this genre, they'll have a great time playing through this legendary adventure game.
1 Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum finally dispelled the negative perception surrounding superhero games and showed just how brilliant the genre could be if executed correctly. Everything in Arkham Asylum is excellent and has aged pretty well, with the most notable mentions being the game's revolutionary combat system and stellar voice acting.
The legendary Kevin Conroy plays the role of Batman, while Mark Hamill's Joker is downright iconic. This, coupled with its selection of side characters, makes Batman: Arkham Asylum an important title for superhero games and is responsible for the boom of this genre in recent times.