Let's explore some ways for Link to talk, shall we?
Concept 1- Sound Bites: So, imagine a JRPG format LoZ game, with parties and characters and special attacks and numbers and all that fun stuff, like Super Mario RPG but a bit more serious in tone. Characters could have quick lines of dialogue, between 1-3, as they initiate certain moves. It would be strange if Link was the only one not talking, and this would be a good way to introduce him to the audience. That way they're prepared for it when he gets dialogue in a cutscene or something. If you want you could even make a little meta joke, where Zelda looks at him in surprise after the first time he says something, and when asked about it she could say "I... I've never heard you talk before." That last bit is just a dumb little throwaway idea though.
Concept 2- Narration: It's entirely possible that you can have the voice come first. Have Link begin the opening narration, but don't actually show him until he's had a chance to get in a paragraph or so. Let the voice be enjoyed on its own, then give it a face. The voice should be easy on the ears, with no forced accent. It should be a relatively plain voice, without too much emphasis or any real defining characteristics.... nothing high pitched, unusually gritty, or strained. It should be inoffensive but still enjoyable, the 'early twenties male Target catalogue model' of voices. But! That's not to say it shouldn't be a good one, you just need to ease people into it. In the game's later cutscenes where the real stuff is going down, the VA should be very capable of a wide range of vocal acting, capable of nuance and emotion. But by then people should be invested, and the few that aren't likely weren't gonna come 'round no matter how you played it.
Bonus Concept- People Who Aren't Link: For starters, get rid of BotW Zelda. I won't say anything mean or ill of her, she did her best and I think it turned out okay. But I honestly don't think she's best suited for the role, especially if the next game's Zelda is a more adult princess. Hey, maybe we could get the woman who did whatserface from Voltron... she was basically Space Zelda anyway. Next, bring back Sean Chiplock. He was amazing. Just... not as the Deku Tree. Literally any other role. Hell, he could even do Link. Companion character? Macie Williams if they're female, and if the companion is male it's likely to be an older guy so I don't know, there's so many who would work for that I can't think of any specific one. And lastly, any main Goron character should be voiced by John Dimaggio.
Concept 1- Sound Bites: So, imagine a JRPG format LoZ game, with parties and characters and special attacks and numbers and all that fun stuff, like Super Mario RPG but a bit more serious in tone. Characters could have quick lines of dialogue, between 1-3, as they initiate certain moves. It would be strange if Link was the only one not talking, and this would be a good way to introduce him to the audience. That way they're prepared for it when he gets dialogue in a cutscene or something. If you want you could even make a little meta joke, where Zelda looks at him in surprise after the first time he says something, and when asked about it she could say "I... I've never heard you talk before." That last bit is just a dumb little throwaway idea though.
Concept 2- Narration: It's entirely possible that you can have the voice come first. Have Link begin the opening narration, but don't actually show him until he's had a chance to get in a paragraph or so. Let the voice be enjoyed on its own, then give it a face. The voice should be easy on the ears, with no forced accent. It should be a relatively plain voice, without too much emphasis or any real defining characteristics.... nothing high pitched, unusually gritty, or strained. It should be inoffensive but still enjoyable, the 'early twenties male Target catalogue model' of voices. But! That's not to say it shouldn't be a good one, you just need to ease people into it. In the game's later cutscenes where the real stuff is going down, the VA should be very capable of a wide range of vocal acting, capable of nuance and emotion. But by then people should be invested, and the few that aren't likely weren't gonna come 'round no matter how you played it.
Bonus Concept- People Who Aren't Link: For starters, get rid of BotW Zelda. I won't say anything mean or ill of her, she did her best and I think it turned out okay. But I honestly don't think she's best suited for the role, especially if the next game's Zelda is a more adult princess. Hey, maybe we could get the woman who did whatserface from Voltron... she was basically Space Zelda anyway. Next, bring back Sean Chiplock. He was amazing. Just... not as the Deku Tree. Literally any other role. Hell, he could even do Link. Companion character? Macie Williams if they're female, and if the companion is male it's likely to be an older guy so I don't know, there's so many who would work for that I can't think of any specific one. And lastly, any main Goron character should be voiced by John Dimaggio.
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