Should Gordon Talk?

[kigbariom]

Kind of a response to Master Toshima's thread. How would you feel if Gordon Freeman from Half-Life could talk. Personally I would like that, because Gordon Freeman is an under developed character. I think it would be fun if they gave him a sense of humor or at least some personality.

 

[Jimnymebob]

I thought he already talked?

On a more serious note, I only got so far on Half-Life 1 before my data corrupted, so I don't really know a lot about the series.
But isn't the main theme of the series that you ARE Gordon Freeman, so your thoughts and reactions are his etc.

 

[Hyper_Ridley]

Look up "Freeman's Mind" on youtube. It's pretty much what you're describing. If he talked like that, I would have absolutley no problems.

 

[Crimson King]

No, never. He would lose his mystique and that voice would be tacted to him for life, which I hate because it'd ruin it for a possible Half-Life 3 or Half-Life movie if he sounded different.

 

[Sensai]

The idea is that you are Gordon Freeman, you are in this world in which you are, essentially, a messiah.

This sense of immersion is one of the things that makes Half Life 2, and the series, far and away better than most FPSs. The answer, is clearly, no, Gordon shouldn't talk.

 

[ZeroFox]

Probably not. Although to be quite honest, I feel like Gordon talking would make a lot more sense than Link talking.

 

[Crimson King]

Really, how many FPSes do you actually talk in? I can think of very few.

 

[Mr.GAW]

The idea is that you are Gordon Freeman, you are in this world in which you are, essentially, a messiah.

This sense of immersion is one of the things that makes Half Life 2, and the series, far and away better than most FPSs. The answer, is clearly, no, Gordon shouldn't talk.

This. Gordon's personality is developed through others reactions to him and through his (your) actions in the game. Not only would a voice be unnecesary, it would take away from the experience.

 

[Sensai]

@ Crimson King: You're right. Talking isn't the only thing that makes you immersed, but...if you talked, it'd be much harder to believe that you were The One Free Man.

 

[kigbariom]

Any of you Splinter Cell fans, I know it is not an FPS, but it's fun when Sam Fisher talks. He has a good voice and he's funny. I think that adds to the character. But you do put up a good argument. But even some insist that Sam Fisher is underdeveloped, even though there are 4 voice acted games, 4 books, and an upcoming movie. I'm fine with Gordon not talking because I love the series thus far.

 

[Mini Mic]

He doesn't need to talk, being a mute is part of his charm just like Link. Besides they've gone this far without giving him a voice so I see no real reason why he should have one now.

 

[Jimnymebob]

Really, how many FPSes do you actually talk in? I can think of very few.

Most FPS games only have voices in cutscenes, and Half Life doesn't really have cutscenes.

 

[Crimson King]

The big ones I am thinking of: Doom, Wolfenstein, Half-Life, Bioshock, and Dead Space - None of those have the main character speaking.

 

[Grunt]

I thought Gordan was mute.

 

[Sensai]

The big ones I am thinking of: Doom, Wolfenstein, Half-Life, Bioshock, and Dead Space - None of those have the main character speaking.

You're right. You don't talk in any of those (except maybe Bioshock: don't you talk at the very VERY beginning, kinda reminiscing (spelling) about the past?), but most of them do something that breaks the sense of immersion that Half Life gives.

Doom: Has that face looking at you the entire time, pretty much guarenteeing the fact that you'll 'snap outta it' when you look at your health. Same with Wolfenstein (right? I haven't ever played it, TBH).
Bioshock: Like I said earlier, I'm not sure he doesn't talk. Also, though, you see your arms a LOT in the game. Still a great game for immersion, it's hurt by the fact that you see the characters arms when he uses most of the weapons.

I know nothing at all of Dead Space. Sorry.

So, sure, you're right. In those games, the protagonist never speaks.

BUT, how many of those games are so driven by the character's choices as Half Life? Now, I haven't played Dead Space so I may be completely off here, but essentially...those other games focus more on shooting and scary than Half Life, which is more on puzzles and choice.

Eh, just my two cents at 3.30 in the morning. Half of this probably didn't make sense. Sorry, and goodnight.