Why Voice Acting Matters
Voice acting in games has a special kind of power. A great performance makes characters believable and keeps you hooked for hours. But a bad one can turn serious moments into unintentional comedy gold, pulling you right out of the experience. So, first, let’s take a look at the ten video games where the voice work missed the mark in glorious fashion before moving on to some undeniably great performances.
"HELLBLADE SENUA'S SACRIFICE Walkthrough Gameplay Part 1 - Prologue by theRadBrad "
1. Resident Evil (1996)
What was meant to be a serious horror story became comedy gold. Japanese directors told American actors to drag out their lines, creating sluggish, stilted exchanges. Barry Gjerde’s wooden delivery sealed the deal, immortalizing infamous gems like “Jill sandwich” and “master of unlocking” in gaming history.
"Longplay of Resident Evil (1996) by LongplayArchive "
2. House Of The Dead 2 (1998)
For a horror game seeking to instill dread and terror, this game's voice acting spectacularly missed the mark. Non-native English speakers delivered their lines with all the emotion of a kitchen appliance, creating unintentionally robotic performances.
The House Of The Dead 2 - Full Playthrough (HD) by Ashbfc
3. Shenmue (1999)
Ryo Hazuki's quest for vengeance in Shenmue took an unexpected turn through his English voice actor's consistently emotionless delivery, particularly his now-legendary monotone inquiries about sailors. This flat performance transformed the serious protagonist into an accidental icon of gaming's dubbing mishaps.
Shenmue (1999) / First Hour Gameplay [1080p] No Commentary by Aristocraft
4. Chaos Wars (2006)
Professional game localization typically demands skilled voice actors who can breathe life into characters through nuanced performances. Chaos Wars, however, boldly defied these standards by casting friends and family of the localization team, resulting in notoriously flat line readings that sound like verbatim script recitations.
Chaos Wars PS2 Gameplay HD (2006) pcsx2 setup Latest 2023 by Rbz Gaming Channel
5. Dynasty Warriors 3 (2001)
The English voice acting in Dynasty Warriors 3 suffered from fundamental performance issues, with characters delivering lines using mismatched emotional inflections. These technical shortcomings led many players to switch to the Japanese audio track.
"Dynasty Warriors 3 PS2 Gameplay HD (PCSX2) by xTimelessGaming "
6. Sonic Adventure (1998)
Instead of speeding through dialogue, Sonic Adventure stumbled. Lines such as “Oh yeah! This is happening!” became meme staples thanks to mismatched lip movements and stiff delivery. Ryan Drummond’s performance wasn’t the problem, as weak direction ensured the words sounded more robotic than heroic.
Sonic Adventure (1998) Dreamcast Gameplay - No Commentary by M Pro Extra
7. RoboCop (2003)
The voice performance in RoboCop exemplifies fundamental issues with vocal characterization and tonal authenticity. Rather than achieving the nuanced robotic-yet-human delivery that defined the game's monotone and lifeless voice acting strips away key emotional layers.
RoboCop (2003) - PC Gameplay / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
8. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
This game promised a living, breathing world, but its voice acting told another story. Despite Hollywood names like Patrick Stewart and Sean Bean, budget cuts forced a few actors to handle hundreds of roles. The result was uneven delivery—and the birth of the immortal guard meme.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) - PC Gameplay / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
9. Two Worlds (2007)
What began as a misguided attempt at dramatic dialogue in Two Worlds ultimately transcended its origins as a mere flaw. The game's Shakespearean-style English and stilted voice delivery, while thoroughly disrupting player immersion, evolved into a celebrated source of unintentional comedy.
Two Worlds (2007) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
10. Ride To Hell: Retribution (2013)
When critics savaged Ride to Hell: Retribution, the game's catastrophic voice acting took center stage in the negative reviews. Between its wooden, emotionless performances and dialogue plagued by awkward pauses and unnatural delivery, the game's verbal mishaps were so spectacularly bad that clips started circulating online as examples of gaming gone hilariously wrong.
Ride to Hell: Retribution | PC Longplay, Full Game, No Commentary by Longplay Express
Now, here are ten games with voice work so good that it deserves applause.
1. The Last Of Us (2013)
Ashley Johnson’s BAFTA-winning performance as Ellie became the emotional core of The Last of Us, pairing seamlessly with Troy Baker’s acclaimed portrayal of Joel. Together, their dynamic carried the game’s story and earned multiple industry honors.
"The Last of Us Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 - Infected by theRadBrad "
2. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Through Roger Clark's nuanced embodiment of Arthur Morgan, Red Dead Redemption 2 showcased the power of modern performance capture. Clark's portrayal, which earned him The Game Awards' Best Performance honor, set the standard for the entire cast.
"Red Dead Redemption 2: Official Gameplay Video by Rockstar Games "
3. God Of War (2018)
When Terrence C. Carson stepped away from voicing Kratos, Christopher Judge stepped in and changed the character's emotional scenario. Through intimate motion-capture sessions, Judge's deeper, more vulnerable portrayal found its perfect complement in Sunny Suljic's natural performance as Atreus.
"GOD OF WAR 2018 All Cutscenes (Full Game Movie) 1080p HD by Gamer's Little Playground "
4. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016)
Nolan North brought his trademark wit and emotional depth back to Nathan Drake, while the addition of Troy Baker as Nathan's brother Sam injected fresh energy into the mix. The two actors' remarkable on-screen chemistry elevated the storytelling to new heights.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End All Cutscenes (Game Movie) Full Story 1080p HD, Gamer's Little Playground
5. BioShock Infinite (2013)
Troy Baker as Booker DeWitt and Courtnee Draper as Elizabeth brought BioShock Infinite’s ambitious narrative to life. Their acclaimed performances built a deeply emotional bond, heightened by Draper’s heartfelt rendition of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”
"Bioshock Infinite Gameplay (PC HD) by GameZine "
6. Mass Effect 2 (2010)
Mass Effect 2’s branching dialogue system let players shape Shepard’s journey, voiced by either Jennifer Hale or Mark Meer. Their performances anchored a stellar cast that included Martin Sheen’s calculating Illusive Man, Yvonne Strahovski, and Seth Green—each adding weight and consequence to every choice.
Mass Effect 2 (2010) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
The Witcher 3 redefined what players expect from RPG storytelling, thanks largely to its exceptional voice performances. Doug Cockle's gruff yet emotionally layered portrayal of Geralt of Rivia set a new standard for character authenticity.
"The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt || January 2015 Gameplay Video by The Witcher "
8. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Snake Eater reached dramatic heights through David Hayter’s commanding portrayal. Equally powerful was Lori Alan as The Boss, whose emotional depth forged unforgettable chemistry with Hayter—especially in the game’s richly layered codec conversations.
METAL GEAR SOLID 3 Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (4K 60FPS) REMASTERED by Shirrako
9. Firewatch (2016)
Henry and Delilah's intimate connection in Firewatch mirrored the unique dynamic between their voice actors, Rich Sommer and Cissy Jones, who never actually met during recording. Just as the characters forge their relationship through radio conversations, the actors crafted their naturalistic, emotionally authentic performances entirely remotely.
Firewatch Full Game Walkthrough - No Commentary (#Firewatch Full Game) 2016 by RabidRetrospectGames
10. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (2017)
Melina Juergens, a video editor with no prior acting experience, delivered a stunning debut as Senua. Her raw performance captured the character’s struggle with psychosis, amplified by haunting binaural voices. The result was so authentic and powerful that it earned her a BAFTA Games Award.
