It's always strange when stories recast their actors, even in video games. As fans play through their favorite franchises, they come to associate specific stars with the characters. Their voices are one reason that these fictional figures resonate so strongly. If the developers suddenly switch things up in the sequel, the shift is jarring. The change could alienate audiences who loved the previous performer. It may also cheapen the character in hindsight. Once the drama dies down, though, people can examine the quality.
Some gaming recasts are for the better. These changes can redefine the characters, bringing them closer to the creators' original vision. In addition, the performance might be stronger thanks to more surehanded direction and better writing. In the end, these recasts achieve the best of both worlds. They win over old fans while reaching a fresh audience. It just goes to show that change can be a good thing if done well. Yes, this adage is clichéd, but no less true.
Tifa Lockhart
While Final Fantasy 7 didn't have voice acting, the characters still gained a mainstay cast through various spin-offs and crossovers. Among them was martial arts prodigy Tifa Lockhart, played by Rachael Leigh Cook. Debuting in 2006 with Kingdom Hearts 2, she continued voicing the stalwart heroine through Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children, World of Final Fantasy, and the Dissidia games. Her soft tone fit Tifa's kindhearted nature, yet a hint of spunk complemented the character's outgoing need for action. Eventually, however, the time came to hand up her gloves.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake, released in 2020, replaced the whole English cast. Taking over for Tifa was Britt Baron. She had the same spunk and brightness, yet her voice was noticeably deeper and slightly weathered. Not only did that maturity suit the maternal role that she often assumed, but the gravitas was ideal for conveying the character's experience. Tifa endured immense hardship for her young age. Despite that struggle, though, she keeps the party going. Fans truly felt that in Baron's performance, and she only improved as the Remake trilogy went on.
Spyro
This purple protagonist has had several voices throughout his career. Introducing the character was Carlos Alazraqui. The veteran voiceover artist played the hero in 1998's Spyro the Dragon, conveying the nasal cockiness of a punk kid. This schtick might have put some people off, yet it was undeniably appropriate for a young hothead with a chip on his shoulder. Once he grew up, a different take was needed.
That's why Tom Kenny took over in 1999 for Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage, as well as the following two titles. He delivered a more laid-back form of the familiar confidence. Combined with a deeper voice, he made for a much cooler character overall. Spyro changed actors a few more times, but many players still considered Kenny the definitive fit. That enduring popularity led to his return in 2018 for the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, recording new lines for all three original games. You couldn't ask for a greater seal of approval.
Ratchet
The second Insomniac series to make the list, Ratchet & Clank lives on the strength of its stars. Of course, the two don't begin as friends. The franchise's 2002 opener, Ratchet & Clank, frames the fuzzy former as a selfish thrill seeker. Mikey Kelley cements that image, channeling a 1990s skater dude in his performance. It's pretty obnoxious at times. Granted, that's partly due to the writing, but also his overdone delivery. The developers thought so, too.
The lombax mellows out in 2003's Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando. In this follow-up, his abrasive attitude gives way to an everyman charm. He has occasional bouts of dry cynicism, but they're nowhere near as prominent. Much of the appeal stems from new actor James Arnold Taylor. He's adept at playing likeable geeks, and that skill creates a far more natural performance. It's why he's stuck with Ratchet for every entry and crossover since.
Dante
Devil May Cry took a while to find itself, and that uncertainty was plain to see in its protagonist. Dante has little personality at first, his jaded demeanor making him stiff and emotionless. That stilted characterization affected the voice acting. Drew Coombs turned in a wooden performance in 2001's Devil May Cry, and the same went for Matt Kaminsky in 2003's Devil May Cry 2. Their portrayals were a symptom of the series being unsure of its tone. It wasn't until the 2005 prequel that the creators hit their stride.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening gave the hero a youthful zeal. He saw the humor in every situation, often mocking the hellish demons he fought. Capturing that cavalier charm was Reuben Langdon. His voice held an infectious sense of offbeat fun, practically inviting you to join in the chaos. The reinvention worked so well that the developers kept it going forward, bringing Langdon back for the next two sequels, a few crossovers, and an anime show. Sure, it didn't quite match the hero from the first two games, but who cares?
The Ghost
When Destiny launched in 2014, it set out to be the industry's next big thing. If the massive budget didn't clue you in, the celebrity voice talent did. The most public example was Peter Dinklage, riding high on Game of Thrones fame, playing the Ghost. This robotic companion followed the player character, providing vital information about the galaxy and its exotic inhabitants. The part was basically just exposition, which is always hard to make interesting. Even by that standard, though, Dinklage was underwhelming. He just read the lines without an ounce of passion or personality. It wasn't long before players grew as bored as him. Perhaps someone else could hold their attention.
Future expansions replaced Dinklage with Nolan North. He lent a constant air of bemusement to the Ghost, as if the little bot was fascinated by the organic world around him. The little guy wasn't exactly flowing with emotion, especially compared to North's other roles, but he was still more engaging than what Dinklage phoned in. When you start from the bottom, there's nowhere to go but up.