5 Video Game Voice Actor Recasts That Made the Game Worse

Recasts can be a healthy way to expand on a character, but sometimes, they fall short. Developers may seek new voice actors in a misguided bid to alter creative vision, but often, these changes lead to disappointing performances that diminish the narrative weight of crucial moments. This is rarely the fault of the voice actors themselves, who are often talented but simply ill-suited for the roles they are given.

Jak

Jak, the protagonist of the Jak and Daxter series, began as a mute. In Jak 2, he transformed into a maddened mercenary, a change voiced by Mike Erwin, whose performance had a natural edge that sold the series' intense moments. However, for Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, the role went to Josh Keaton. While adept at charismatic heroes, Keaton lacked the necessary edge for Jak, sounding more like a generic jock and failing to convey the character's intensity.

Sam Fisher

Michael Ironside's raspy gravitas was instrumental in defining Sam Fisher, the stealthy protagonist of the Splinter Cell series. His voice suited the grizzled veteran perfectly from the character's 2002 debut. For 2013's Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Eric Johnson took over. While Johnson physically resembled Fisher and was known for villainous roles, he lacked Ironside's vocal presence, making Fisher sound less intimidating and engaging.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog's personality was first given voice by Ryan Drummond in Sonic Adventure. His performance held a surprising enthusiasm, fitting the character's confident demeanor. Jason Griffith later matched that swagger, sounding like an older version of Drummond. However, Sonic Free Riders introduced Roger Craig Smith, whose direction led to him imitating the character's vigor without matching the original energy. Subsequent games like Sonic Frontiers saw his voice lowered to an inappropriate, mature depth.

Zack Fair

Zack Fair, a pivotal character in the Final Fantasy 7 universe, was voiced by Rick Gomez in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7. Gomez captured the character's earnest energy and subtle shift in maturity. With the Final Fantasy 7 Remake project, the role was recast to Caleb Pierce. Pierce's performance was described as that of an uncertain teenager, lacking natural inflection and failing to sell the drama, with the issue persisting through the Crisis Core remaster.

Kazuma Kiryu

Darryl Kurylo voiced Kazuma Kiryu, the protagonist of the Yakuza series, starting in the original 2005 game. While lacking the soulful depth of the original Japanese voice actor, Kurylo's low, harsh tone was fitting for the underworld bruiser. For subsequent titles, starting with Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Yong Yea took over. Yea, a YouTube influencer, struggled to match Kiryu's gravitas, resulting in a hollow and wooden performance that even faltered during the series' signature karaoke segments.