You seem to be under the impression that "have her speak"="have her quib like Sonic in Boom every five seconds".  I never said that, no one says that.  That's why I mentioned Fusion, where she  speaks in appropriate isolated instances that build character, story, background, and tension.

 And you are not behind her visor during most cutscenes and during those moments, when people speak straight to her face, why would it be at all immersion breaking for her to speak?  You are not alone so it isn't ruining the precious isolation.  And you aren't even behind the visor.  There's no reason fo her not to speak, it would impact NONE of the elements you are going on about.

Also, being in first person doesn't mean silence is needed for immersion.  I LOVE Bioshock Infinite and the atmosphere of Columbia is incredible and none of that is reduced in any way by Booker Dewitt speaking.  On the contrary, I was further immersed cause now I was drawn into the world AND the character.  Immersion isn't something you are tricked into, it is something you are drawn into.  Enrichment of the main character can be part of that.

Bioshock Infinite is a character-driven narrative, Metroid is not. There is power in Samus's silence, in the same way the monster you don't see is scarier than the one you do. There is simply no need for her to speak in the Prime trilogy. It would add nothing while actively damaging the immersion the game works so hard to build through its world. Samus talking would be like the person sitting next to you talking during a great movie, nothing but a detrimental distraction.

Lara Croft (14 votes)

Seth Balmore