Text vs. Voice Acting

Stick with the text. Keep it original.

Nintendo shouldn't change the original formula.

^ That's exactly the problem with the series. We've been sticking to the A Link to the Past formula for over 15 years now.

i think they should have both it would make it easier i mean cmon what if you didn't catch something you wouldn't be able to hear it again

Originally Posted by Dark Link

^ That's exactly the problem with the series. We've been sticking to the A Link to the Past formula for over 15 years now.

I agree, Dark Link.

Metroid Prime 3 solved the same problem by just giving the NPCs voices, Samus never speaks. I don't see why Zelda can't do the same? If this means eliminating the choice of naming Link, so be it. He's not a nameless character, so it's not a problem.

Originally Posted by flameman713

i think they should have both it would make it easier i mean cmon what if you didn't catch something you wouldn't be able to hear it again

That isn't really a problem either, most games give you the information again if necessary - either by allowing you to talk to the NPC again (and he/she repeats the info) or you get pointers on-screen if you're wandering about, clueless.

Also, most (good) games have subtitles, or allow you to enable subtitles, whenever there's voice acting involved.

I'll say reading. Reading is fundamental. Unless you're blind...

Originally Posted by Laika

I'll say reading. Reading is fundamental. Unless you're blind...

cant plaid zelda blind. Unless you could see at first.

I say VA in important cutscenes.

No other VA.

I say for the general in the game stick to the texy. Now for mabye that "added effect" i would put in some voicing, but not all of it, plus, its easier to read text than to listen to someone talk in my opinion

Voice acting could either be a very good thing or a very, very bad thing.

If Nintendo could get together and take the time to have really good voice acting then it would b e fantastic. On the other hand, if the voice acting turned out bad, it could ruin the experience.

Voice acting, period. Well, except for Link and Zelda (and quite another few who don't speak that much).

Save the voice acting for NPC's or cinematic scenes. That could be better.

I like the text while I enjoyed it for Metroid Prime Corruption I don't think I would really enjoy it for Legend of Zelda. What I don't get is why Samus isn't voiced yet, there isn't any thing plot based stopping her.

And I don't know the text kind of gives a feel like it's a book.

I am afraid, firstly, that a move to complete Voice acting would comprimise content. Simply, it is easier to have greater content with text than it is with voice acting. And for voice acting to be more effective, more content and effort would be required. Nintendo would have to change the whole way they deal with characters. Not to mention the problems they would have with voicing some characters, such as Deku Scrubs or Gorons (as well as things such as gossip stones).

Additionally, text can be left to interpritation to a greater capacity than voice acting. Voice acting would inject more personality into the characters, which is good, but would also comprimise player interpritation of those characters - any message would be more concise, because emotion would be attatched to it.

in my opinion, voice acting does not equal inprovement. I see it as a viable option, with serious pro's and cons. One thing is sure in my mind. In order for the games to retain a smooth feel that they previously had (due to boasting only the medium of text), they would have to go the full wack with voice acting, or not do it at all.

Yay, the ye olde VA argument. These are always fun, right guys...?

Anyway, I still think it'll take too much work to do voiced dialogue for a main Zelda game unless they choose to go with gibberish, a fictional language or leaving it Japanese and going with subtitles. Nintendo's kinda doomed if they do, doomed if they don't; people are going to complain about it whether they like it or not. I actually have nothing against even Link having a voice, but I don't think it's appropriate for what Aonuma and Miyamoto want to do with the games.

I still find the rare instances where there were voice acting in Zelda games interesting. As in Ancient Stone Tablets and Navi Trackers. I seriously need to find a clip with King of Red Lions speaking! There's some Tetra and one of Sue Belle, but I can't find any of KoRL...

But when a company like Atlus can afford high quality voice acting for their obscure franchises, it makes me wonder what Nintendo's doing with all that money. Other than swimming in it.

I'm all for it as long as Link does not talk !

I would never like to have voice act in Zelda. It's perfect as it is, because it's like reading a book, you can imagine the real voice by hearing that character's rumblings or similar things...Giving each character his voice would be like imposing it to the player.
And making Link speak would be a total disaster.

Voice acting only in Cut scenes for other characters but not for Link.

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! keep with the text!!! For example, In the wand of gamelon, "Oh Boy!!! I can't wait to bomb some dodongos!!!" So no voices.

Keep text.

There are too many factors and with the following Zelda has it'd just let people down, as with text your imagination makes up for it by inputting 'well I guess they'd sound like this: '

Text is classical, they should keep it, its traditional to the game and lets face it, there will never be a voice actor for Link to meet expectations. :-p

I wouldnt mind either, but I'd rather keep Link silent. I just like him that way. But if voice acting was only used in cutscnesse, it would be fine. The only thing Id have a problem with is if they screw up the voice acting. If Shigeru and Eiji can get a good group of voices, then it would be fine

Originally Posted by Lucky Seven

I am afraid, firstly, that a move to complete Voice acting would comprimise content. Simply, it is easier to have greater content with text than it is with voice acting. And for voice acting to be more effective, more content and effort would be required. Nintendo would have to change the whole way they deal with characters. Not to mention the problems they would have with voicing some characters, such as Deku Scrubs or Gorons (as well as things such as gossip stones).

Compromise content? Have you played Elder Scroll's IV: Oblivion by chance? It's easily on one of the most content-packed games of all time, yet has amazing voice acting.

As for problems on Nintendo's end. Well, they would just have to work harder is all. Plus, what potential problems regarding races do you mean?

Additionally, text can be left to interpritation to a greater capacity than voice acting. Voice acting would inject more personality into the characters, which is good, but would also comprimise player interpritation of those characters - any message would be more concise, because emotion would be attatched to it.

Nintendo has always geared Zelda games to have an emotional story and characters. So why not kick it up a notch (BAM! . . . couldn't resist) and introduce voice acting to the series?

Nintendo wouldn't care about the American voiceovers so I say stick with text. I would love for some western A+ quality (see ME or Oblivion) voice acting but Nintendo would never do that.

Ever.