It really depends. I don't know if I would ever want someone like Link or Mario to be talking. It would be weird to me. Others I'm OK with.

Exactly my thoughts.

If Link ever talks, I'm firebombing Nintendo HQ. Seriously.

it's not a game breaker for me but i'm not a fan of silent protagonists. i find nothing more awkward then watching a video game try and push a story line forward with a one-sided conversation. some games do a better job than others but it's just not natural to have any sort of conversation and not talk at all.

In most cases silence IS golden.

Dunno what you guys are saying ... I feel silent protagonist provide players with such a deeper level of immersion into the game, than a boisterous, over zealous character.

Citing: Mario, Link, Gordon Freeman, Claude Speed (GTA III), Chrono, and many more iconic protagonists.

There's so much more in-game interaction and empathy on part of the player due to the "masked" characteristics of the silent hero.

I feel like HL2 has one of the best story-telling elements out of any game. Silent protagonists are what the strength of Video Games as a medium is all about. If you wanted a movie and things, go watch one. In the game YOU are playing.

Again, HL2 has one of the best narratives in all video games.

That's exactly what I am not getting. I know it's not me in those situations, it's a different person with different strengths and characteristics from myself. These characters feel like muppets to me, and why the hell would any NPC talk to a muppet like it's a person, when they are thoughtless shells made to look like a person. It just feels so disconnecting, and breaks immersion for me.

Mute protagonists can be much better than protagonists with annoying personalities/voices so I'd have to say that it really depends.