25 Voice Actors In Video Games

Written by Elijah Watson

Videos games have changed significantly since they started to make their mark over 43 years ago. With the evolution of video games also came more of a focus on telling a better story. To do that, video game developers incorporated voice actors into their games to bring them more life. Some performances went down in history as some of the best. Think, Carmilla Luddington as young Lara Croft in the latest Tomb Raider as being one of those sparkling moments while others like 50 Cent as himself in Bulletproof totally missed the mark.

This list is dedicated to those voice actors and actresses who brought their respective characters to life and captured them in such a way that we can never forget them. These are The 25 Greatest Voice Acting Performances In Video Games.

Hellena Taylor

Headline: Hellena Taylor
Character: Bayonetta
Game: Bayonetta

Witty and extremely likable Hellena Taylor’s voice-over for Bayonetta fit well for the beautiful and fierce heroine. Similar to fellow hack-and-slasher Dante, Bayonetta had a charm and versatility to her that emphasized her coolness in the worst predicaments. However, what indirectly supported Taylor’s performance was Bayonetta’s younger self, Cereza. The transformation from fearful child to the fearless witch (and mother figure) brought a level of realness to Bayonetta’s persona. And Taylor balanced that with a heaping pile of badass, resulting in a highly memorable character.

Joanna Roth

Headline: Joanna Roth
Character: Aveline Vallen
Game: Dragon Age II

Joanna Roth’s portrayal of Aveline Vallen as a moral and powerful warrior was enjoyable for so many reasons. Vallen’s banter with Isabela and Sebastian are not only hilarious but reflect her unyielding assertiveness. And she never once hesitates to prove her independence, being able to take on multiple enemies with absolute ease. Roth brought Vallen to live and captured the warrior’s knack for battle and laugh-worthy quips.

Camilla Luddington

Headline: Camilla Luddington
Character: Lara Croft
Game: Tomb Raider (2013)

We’ve always known Lara Croft for her intrepidness in the face of deadly animals, trained killers, and booby traps. But she was not always like that, and voice actress Camilla Luddington captures that in the latest Tomb Raider game. Luddington’s performance was impressive in that it gave Croft a sense of humanity not present in past Tomb Raider games. Seeing her grow into the video game icon she is today is an engaging experience, and Luddington does an awesome job of contributing to that.

Judi Beecher

Headline: Judi Beecher
Character: Voice of Madison Paige from
Game: Heavy Rain

Performing the role of a young journalist caught in between personal problems (insomnia, nightmares) and trying to capture a sadistic serial killer, sounds incredibly difficult. But Judi Beecher did such with poise and precision. Through our decisions, we see Madison Paige at her most vulnerable, her most courageous and most seductive. Beecher caught every part of Paige and even added a dash of comic relief when necessary. Although some lines were laughable for the wrong reasons, Beecher’s performance kept us wanting more until the very end.

Linda Hunt

 

Headline: Linda Hunt
Character: Narrator
Game: God of War

There was a cadence to Linda Hunt’s narration that contrasted to God of War’s fast-paced and gruesome nature. Calm yet present and declarative she added depth to the amounts of bloodshed produced throughout Kratos’ journey. Through her we learned of Kratos’ inner grief as well as his affiliation with the Olympian Gods. Hunt added to the game’s Greek mythological aesthetic. Her withered delivery reflected the timelessness of Greek folklore and our strenuous adventure alongside Kratos.

Merle Dandridge

 

Headline: Merle Dandridge
Character: Alyx Vance
Game: Half-Life 2

Depending on the situation Alyx Vance could be many things. She could be the skilled hacker one moment and the concerned daughter next. And Merle Dandridge played each and every part to the fictional character. Dandridge made Vance such a likable character. She had an enjoyable sense of humor and optimistic demeanor, but was not afraid to use a weapon or fight someone if necessary. Dandridge’s performance gave some heart and realism to the series, that was not present from other characters.

Lester Speight

Headline: Lester Speight
Character: Cole Train
Game: Gears of War

Ah, Cole Train. Gun-toting, foul-mouthed Cole Train. Lester Speight added humor to an apocalyptic world that was absolutely enjoyable. From his enthusiastic cheers to his less tactical approaches to killing enemies (“We need to blow his brains out his ass!”), Train was more memorable because of Speight and his anything-goes demeanor.

Young Maylay

 

Headline: Young Maylay
Character: Carl “CJ” Johnson
Game: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

CJ’s underdog to successful kingpin narrative would have been less impressionable without Young Maylay’s performance. As CJ makes his way up Maylay made sure to convey that in the dialogue. He captured CJ’s submissive beginnings and his doubtfulness towards regaining power and saving his brother. But by the end of the game Maylay has CJ talking confidently, while retaining a certain level of humility around his business partners and family. That, along with his more hilarious moments (when CJ gained a contact high from burning the Truth’s “evidence,” and his misadventures with Catalina) is why we still remember CJ and his significance in the GTA universe.

Jennifer Hale

 

Headline: Jennifer Hale
Character: Commander Shepard (female)
Game: Mass Effect

If you’ve ever wondered who made Commander Shepard such a badass, here’s who you should be thanking. Jennifer Hale’s fearless and intimidating voice over for the female version of Commander Shepard not only left her antagonists scared but us too. At times, she could be a bit overbearing or gung-ho, but most times Hale was spot on, playing a leader determined to save the planet Earth from being destroyed.

Brian Cox

 

Headline: Brian Cox
Character: Lionel Starkweather
Game: Manhunt

Lionel Starkweather is one of those “guys you hate to love” because you should not. But Cox put on a stellar performance. His voice only adds to Manhunt’s eerie atmosphere, as he demands you to gruesomely kill people in exchange for your “freedom.” Cox captures Starkweather’s twisted and moral-less persona in a way that is almost hypnotizing. He keeps us under his spell until he shows his true self and has main character James Cash’s family executed. Cox’s performance of a man desensitized by the violence he supports and encourages, will continue to give us nightmares for years to come.

Courtnee Draper

 

Headline: Courtnee Draper
Character: Elizabeth
Game: BioShock Infini

Having been imprisoned since birth Elizabeth’s character is a combination of qualities. Free-willed, naive, intelligent, mischievous–Elizabeth grows into her own throughout Bioshock Infinite. And Courtnee Draper does an excellent job of showing that. We are mesmerized by Elizabeth’s child-like spirit and sense of adventure, and we are disappointed in her whenever she acts recklessly. Nonetheless, Draper captured the persona of a woman understanding her significance, and trying to come to terms with the world she’s never been able to interact with.

Roger Craig Smith

 

Headline: Roger Craig Smith
Character: Auditore da Firenze
Game: Assassin’s Creed

Ezio’s transformation to justice-delivering assassin would not be complete without Roger Craig Smith’s excellent acting. His dialogue, as well as his tone, paired well with Ezio’s growth into adulthood. By the end of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Ezio is nothing like what he was when we first met him in Assassin’s Creed II. Old and heart no longer filled with vengeance he’s retired and prepared to live his remaining days with his family, undisturbed. Smith captured this process until Ezio’s unfortunate death, portraying a man who finds peace after years of fighting for justice.

Mark Hamill

 

Headline: Mark Hamill
Character: The Joker
Game: Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City

A menacing joy the Joker is insane, unpredictable and fun, and Hamill captured that in his performances. He’s a Joker veteran; he’s been able to refine himself as Batman’s most compelling antagonist since 1992. And the refinement shows in Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. There’s the Joker’s distinguishing qualities: a discomforting charm and moral-deprived psyche, that remain strong until the Joker’s death in the sequel. Through Hamill, we see that the Joker is not “all jokes,” and is actually methodical. But he balanced that with spontaneity and intrepidness, portraying a Joker that was convincing and easy to get lost into.

Liam Neeson

 

Headline: Liam Neeson
Character: James
Game: Fallout 3

Liam Neeson being a part of anything automatically makes it much better. Fallout 3 was already a great game but once people realized that our protagonist’s father (James) was voiced by Neeson, it was a wrap. Caring, wise and courageous James protected anyone he could while hoping to finally achieve his goal, Project Purity. Whether he was disappointed in his son’s actions or attempting to save his project from falling into the wrong hands, James served as one of the game’s strongest characters. And that is all thanks to Mr. Neeson.

Nolan North

 

Headline: Nolan North
Character: Nathan Drake
Game: Uncharted

Hilarious, relatable and light-hearted Nathan Drake won us over through his distinct persona. Nolan North did a great job with Drake. The level of humanness North put into Drake hearkens back to characters like Indiana Jones or even John McClane. Like them Drake reacted to events in a very human way, complaining about the situations he got himself into but completing them regardless. North performed the role of a badass that was well aware of his situation, creating a clever and humorous dialogue that added to the series appeal.

Terrence Carson

 

Headline: Terrence Carson
Character: Kratos
Game: God of War

Kratos is a take no shit anti-hero. And we have Terrence Carson to thank for creating a voice that reflected a man driven by grief, revenge, and uncontrolled anger. What was most impressive about Carson’s performance is the level of humanity he gives to Kratos in God of War III. He delivers in a way that remained true to Kratos while showing his growth as a character. Carson managed to give depth to Kratos which has separated him from being a demigod wrought by guilt, and a demigod mindlessly slaughtering people.

Michael Ironside

Headline: Michael Ironside
Character: Sam Fisher
Game: Splinter Cell

Michael Ironside was incredible as agent Sam Fisher and only became better with each game. From the very beginning, Ironside presented Fisher as cynical and jaded, but respectful and fairly witty when necessary. He provided comic relief for us in the most morbid ways in Chaos Theory and made us fear him through his methods of torture in Conviction. Ironside adapted well to Fisher’s storyline and captured his struggle between accomplishing his mission, and being troubled by personal problems.

James McCaffrey

Headline: James McCaffrey
Character: Max Payne
Game: Max Payne

James McCaffrey managed to portray a man who had a brief taste of the American Dream, only to have it taken from him. His battle to find peace is challenged by his emotionally unstable persona and the fact that no matter where he goes, trouble always finds him. The way McCaffrey centered Payne’s dialogue around cynical and complex metaphors, simultaneously distanced and intrigued us as we delved deeper into Payne’s self-destructive demeanor.

Armin Shimerman

Headline: Armin Shimerman
Character: Andrew Ryan
Game: Bioshock

It all began with a monolog: “I chose the impossible. I chose…Rapture!” Shimerman’s declarative delivery foreshadowed Andrew Ryan’s doggedness as he attempted to stop us from completing our objective. Shimerman portrayed a man struggling with his ambitions and ideals. Arrogance and naive ultimately lead to Rapture and Ryan’s downfall, and we see (and hear) this through radio transmission and Ryan’s audio diaries. A man once confident and visionary is replaced by a man paranoid by those around him and blinded by his endeavors. And Shimerman voices that transformation with sheer conviction and commitment.

Lori Alan

Headline: Lori Alan
Character: The Boss
Game: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The Boss tread a thin line between heroine and villain and when it came time for her inevitable death, we did so ambivalently. Lori Alan’s stern delivery reflected not only The Boss’ struggle but her complexities. Pitted against her former disciple Naked Snake, it’s apparent from the very beginning that The Boss will die at his hands, and will forever be remembered as a terrorist. Alan’s performance sent us through multiple emotions: happiness, anger and sadness. She captured the persona of a soldier whose forte was the battlefield and only the battlefield and accomplishing her mission objective. Even at the cost of her own life.

Jen Taylor

Headline: Jen Taylor
Character: Cortana
Game: Halo

Sardonic, helpful and somewhat comical, Cortana was the relief we needed when battles became overbearing. Jen Taylor’s voice-over for Cortana was easy to fall in love with. She gave Cortana a persona that was believable, and characteristics that added a level of realness to her. This was only reinforced in Halo 4 when Cortana begins to malfunction and “think” herself to death. Taylor’s performance only made us more occupied with finding Doctor Catherine Halsey, and hoping she could save our helpful heroine before it was too late.

Ray Liotta

Headline: Ray Liotta
Character: Tommy Vercetti
Game: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

There were multiple sides to Mr. Vercetti. He was the charmer, ruthless killer, business juggernaut, sentimental anti-hero. And Ray Liotta caught each characteristic in a near-flawless performance. Liotta added a level of humanness to Vercetti that we had not gotten with previous GTA anti-hero, Claude. Sure, he was a killer. But unlike the unspoken Claude, Liotta portrayed Vercetti in a way that made us empathize with his vengeful endeavors.

Ellen McLain

Headline: Ellen McLain
Character: GLaDOS
Game: Portal

Ellen McLain’s Auto-Tune-Eesque delivery for GLaDOS made us laugh, angered us and surprised us. Little did we know that GLaDOS actually meant us ill will and McLain did a great job of disguising that through laughable and witty dialogue. Like those sour patch commercials where the person forgives the charmingly sinister sour patch, we kept forgiving GLaDos until the very end. Even when she offered us a cake only to try and burn us alive, we hoped there was a middle ground that could be approached. McLain gave life to a rather lifeless character in such a way that we only killed her because we had to.

Rob Wiethoff

Headline: Rob Wiethoff
Character: John Marston
Game: Red Dead Redemption

Rob Wiethoff’s performance of outlaw turned family hero John Marston probably left you in tears. (Or almost left you in tears.) The road to redemption is a challenge for Marston as he revisits a past life he hoped to escape, in order to save his family. Through Wiethoff, we see Marston grow into a man whose life is unfortunately cut too short. That last five-plus minutes of Redemption will forever stick with us, Wiethoff ending his performance with undeniable bravado.

David Hayter

Headline: David Hayter
Character: Solid Snake
Game: Metal Gear Solid

Since first voicing Solid Snake in 1998 David Hayter has become an icon in the video gaming community. His rugged voice has become synonymous with one of the most memorable video game characters of all time, and it’s understandable why. Hayter managed to show the complexities of a soldier whose heart and soul lies on the battlefield. How a man only ever feels alive and significant when he’s pulling the trigger of a gun, and completing his mission objective. The internal struggle to not solely be defined as a killer but having to do so for the betterment of the world, was a problem Hayter handled in a very memorable way. But there is a human side to Snake too: compassionate, caring, even flirtatious. Hayter’s well-rounded portrayal of Snake continues to live with us because it told the story of a man that, although hardened by years of war, was trying to find peace with himself and those around him. Hayter may not be returning for future Metal Gear games, but he will always be remembered for the contributions he made to the series.