Ok, so you’ve been hyped for the release of CD Projekt’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt since it was first announced, and you’re all ready to experience those super-cool graphics and way-out narrative on your cheap smart TVs – and the hype train just keeps on rolling.
You may have seen the latest video from the developer, which features that sonorous paragon of the British acting world, Charles Dance, talking about his first video game role – as Emperor Emhyr var Emreis, who rules the fantasy land of Nilfgaard (with an ironfist, if the trailer’s anything to go by!).
But he’s not the first big-time actor to lend his vocals to a game. In fact, he’s following in the footsteps of some seriously illustrious names. Names like…
Patrick Stewart – The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
Ok, we all knew that Patrick Stewart was cool – he was Picard and Professor X, after all – but he got even cooler when he blessed the character of goodly Emperor Uriel Septimus in the fourth Elder Scrolls game with his voice.
Ray Liotta – GTA: Vice City
Gangsters, fast cars, loose women, more murder than you can shake a killing stick at – GTA is the home of all things vice. Literally, in GTA: Vice City, where sharp-tongued New Jersey Ray Liotta – no stranger to gangland movies, including Goodfellas – voiced rising mobster Tommy Vercetti.
Liam Neeson – Fallout 3
Liam Neeson has a particular set of skills – and one of those is voicing your caring dad in 2008’s Fallout 3. The hunt for your missing father across an apocalyptic wasteland is made slightly better knowing Neeson is out there somewhere, doting on you, and trying to make the world a better place.
James Woods – GTA: San Andreas
Man, James Woods is a genius. No, really, he has an IQ of 180. And that explains his smart move, taking the role of shady federal agent Mike Torreno in GTA: San Andreas. Fast-talking, corrupt to the core, but still weirdly likeable, it’s full-on Woods at his finest.
Gary Oldman – Call of Duty: World at War & Call of Duty: Black Ops
What’s not to love about Gary Oldman? He’s played Dracula, Sirius Black, Norman Stansfield, and Rosencrantz (Or was it Guildenstern?). But did ya know he also played Russian soldier Viktor Reznov in two Call of Duty games? So talented, they brought him back for a spin off two years after 2008’s World at War.
Mark Hamill – Batman: Arkham Asylum & Arkham City
To some, Hamill will always be Luke Skywalker. But after living a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, he came back to us to take on the role of Batman’s arch-nemesis The Joker in both the animated series and the Arkham games. You can keep your Caesar Romero’s, your Jack Nicholson’s and even your Heath Ledger’s – Hamill is the definitive clown prince of crime.
Kevin Spacey – Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
As charming as he is manipulative, Spacey’s role in the latest CoD – Advanced Warfare – brought with it an emphasis on narrative and character development. Sure, he’s still a schlocky action movie villain, but he does it with such style, he owns the part of private militia CEO Jonathan Irons.
Michael Madsen – Dishonored
Former Reservoir Dog, Michael Madsen, has done tons of acting for video games. And we’re glad he has – that rough, gravelly voice is pitch-perfect. But one of his stand-out roles was in stylish stealth adventure, Dishonored. Playing Daud, an anti-hero assassin who kills plague-ridden Dunwall’s Empress, kidnaps her daughter, before that conscience gets the better of him.
Martin Sheen – Mass Effect 2 & 3
Oh, Martin – we love your voice, pitched just the right side of perfect, it adds gravitas and experience and drama in a way that most actors can only dream. So, it makes sense for him to take up the mantle of the totally tricksy Illusive Man, Mass Effect 3’s primary antagonist (or not, depending on your game choices).
All right – time to get your game-face on and play these awesome video games, right? And if you’re looking for a television that meets all your gaming needs, we’ve got you covered, with a range of cheap smart TVs perfect for playing on. Simply contact us on 0121 327 3273 and our team will be delighted to help.
