Bethesda has decided not to let your hero characters speak a word throughout the entire game. This decision is causing a divided response.
Since the big Xbox & Bethesda Showcase 2022 (get the most exciting trailers and announcements here) we finally have a more accurate picture of Bethesda’s next role-playing colossus Starfield. The main focus of our coverage so far has been the fifteen-minute gameplay trailer, which gives you numerous impressions of planets, cities, battles and characters:
Mute hero for better immersion
One character is now more in the spotlight and that is your own. Bethesda has now confirmed via Twitter that your main character will not make any sound throughout the entire game. In addition, you will experience the dialogues solely from the first-person view.
Yes, dialogue in @StarfieldGame is first person and your character does not have a voice. pic.twitter.com/A8384m6rGN
– Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) June 13, 2022
The intention behind this design decision is likely to be to make your role-playing experience more immersive. After all, thanks to the powerful character editor, it is possible to determine even the smallest visual detail of your alter ego. And many fans may have a unique voice for their character in mind when they dive into Starfield and interact with NPCs.
If Bethesda were to drag voice actors and actresses in front of the microphone, it could happen that their voices do not harmonise at all with one’s own ideas and the immersion suffers as a result.
The lessons from Fallout 4 could also play a role: In the last single-player excursion into the post-apocalypse, our character was still chattering happily with the environment as soon as we had decided on an option in the dialogue window.
The problem is, however, that these only very vaguely formulated options seldom let us guess what our character would then say. It’s quite possible that this concept will no longer be pursued in Starfield, so as not to enrage fans again.
Negative reactions of many fans
But it didn’t help, because some fans still rage. In response to Bethesda’s Twitter post, there was not only approval, but also incomprehension. Many users cite games like The Witcher, Mass Effect, Dragon Age or Dying Light 2 as positive examples of dubbing. This makes it possible for people to identify better with the character.
Wow, your character not having a voice is kinda bad. It’s 2022. Look at Dying Light 2 for example, your character does have a voice and it makes you connect with the character better.
Now, in starfield you’re forced to play as a mute guy that doesn’t speak.Fallout 4’s V/A was GUD– Lord Eddy (@LordEddy05) June 13, 2022
But there are also supporters of the decision. For this user, for example, the matter is crystal clear: dubbing would only limit the dialogue possibilities and make role-playing with one’s own character more difficult. One could then read the dialogue with one’s own created voice in one’s head.
Good, more dialogue options, a voiced protagonist would only limit dialogue and conflict with a players role play character.
It will be easier to roleplay as a belter instance and the player could read the lines in a belters voice in their head. pic.twitter.com/yGiGqULHhf
– … (@Grey0Gray0) June 14, 2022
We don’t care which voice you use to read our huge analysis of the new gameplay footage. The main thing is that you read it and have a lot of fun with it!
In the end, it’s a matter of taste which variant you prefer in role-playing games. Bethesda can’t please everyone anyway: After Fallout 4, there were still numerous calls for the studio to return to the silent hero.
The most important question at the end: What’s your opinion? Do you prefer a complete dubbing of your character like Geralt in The Witcher? Or do you prefer to think up your own voice in your head and are therefore glad that Starfield has gone this way? Feel free to write us your opinion in the comments!
