Beyond Baker: The Digital Wizards Who REALLY Blew Us Away This Year (No Scarves Required)
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
While Troy Baker's inevitable Game Awards win for 'Indiana Jones' looms, Jeff highlights a collection of truly captivating and often-unsung vocal performances from the past year, from indie gems to blockbuster villains, proving that digital wizardry extends far beyond the usual suspects.
Right, so we all know Troy Baker's probably got his acceptance speech for 'Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' practically tattooed on his arm already, yeah? The man is a legend, a veritable titan of the vocal cords, and his channelling of Harrison Ford's essence (blessed by the man himself, no less!) sounds utterly uncanny. And let's not forget his unhinged Higgs in 'Death Stranding 2: On the Beach' – another potential barn-burner. Fair dinkum, a nomination seems guaranteed, and a win? More than likely.
But mate, if we just nod along and hand him the silverware without looking around, we'd be missing out on some bloody brilliant, often-unsung performances that deserve a massive shout-out. The gaming world is a vast, chaotic, and wonderfully creative place, brimming with talent that doesn't always walk the red carpet. I've been tinkering with this idea all morning, wondering: what happens if we peel back the layers of the awards-season hype and celebrate the digital magicians who truly captivated us over the last 12 months, away from the shadow of the industry's most famous scarf-wearer? Let's dig in, shall we?
First up, who's having a better couple of years than **Jennifer English**? From Elden Ring's Latenna to 'Shart' (Shadowheart, for the uninitiated) in 'Baldur's Gate 3,' she's been on an absolute tear. And now, she’s front and centre as Maelle in the GOTY frontrunner, 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33'. While the game itself sounds like a narrative and gameplay powerhouse, it's English's range — from raw pain to fleeting happiness, even subtly shifting her delivery as Maelle's truths unfurl — that truly grounds the experience. It's not just good voice acting; it's character growth etched into every syllable. She doesn't just voice a character; she *becomes* the journey.
Then we’ve got **Gabe Cuzzillo** as Nate in 'Baby Steps.' Now, if you're like me, you probably raised an eyebrow when a slapstick walking simulator popped up next to A-listers. But trust me, if you've played it, you know exactly why. Cuzzillo, one of the game's own developers, delivers a hysterical, bumbling man-child who can barely string a sentence together. It's comedic gold, but here's the kicker: beneath the awkwardness lies a quietly insecure person. With one line, Cuzzillo turns a joke into a sympathetic hero. It's a genuinely surprising, gut-wrenching turn that reminds us that brilliance can emerge from the most unexpected corners, often from the developers themselves. Bloody brilliant, that.
Our next digital wizard, **Brandon Keener**, has officially cemented his role as 'Guy You Hire To Voice Stalwart Reptilian Companion With Blue Skin.' Best known as the iconic Garrus in 'Mass Effect,' Keener returns to the party in 'Avowed' as Kai. Yes, there are surface similarities – blue skin, moral compass, joins your crew – but Keener injects a distinct affability into Kai. It’s that soothing, familiar voice work that welcomes you into Avowed's strange world, making you feel instantly at home. Here’s hoping someone casts him in a Smurfs game next; he's earned the hat trick, mate.
Speaking of big-name games, 'Death Stranding 2: On the Beach' will undoubtedly have a Hollywood star or two nabbing nominations. Norman Reedus is a shoe-in, right? But the truly memorable performance, the one that stuck in my craw, might just be **Luca Marinelli** as Neil Vanna. As a cryptic, Solid Snake-coded side-character, Marinelli doesn't have the same screen time as Reedus, but he makes every second count. He transforms Neil from an unnerving villain to a figure of profound pain, bringing a much-needed human vulnerability to a game often swimming in over-the-top spectacle. It's the quiet power that often resonates loudest, isn't it?
Now, for something truly mind-bending: **Alex Jordan** as 'The Jans' in 'The Alters.' This game might be a dark horse for GOTY, but Jordan's performance is anything but. He doesn't just voice the main character, Jan Dolski; he voices *every cloned iteration* of Jan. Nearly a dozen distinct personalities, each with their own quirks and speech patterns – the gruff Technician, the annoying Scientist – all from one bloke. It's a masterclass in vocal distinction, making each 'alter' feel like a genuine, unique individual. That's not just acting; that's a digital magic trick right there.
And what about 'Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' itself? While Baker's Indy is stellar, I'm with Polygon on this one: **Marios Gavrillis** as the villainous Emmerich Voss might just steal the show. Gavrillis brings a menacing cool and collectedness to Indy's Nazi rival, but it's the slow reveal of the cracks in that façade, the madness peeking through, that makes him truly compelling. It’s a slimy, unsettling performance that perfectly foils Baker's charisma. You can't have a great hero without an equally great villain, and Gavrillis delivers a truly memorable one.
Hades 2? Oh, you know I’m excited about that. While the entire cast is probably god-tier, **Becca Q. Co** as Nemesis, the goddess of retribution, is a standout. Supergiant basically asked, 'what if your Pokémon rival, but, like, *hot*?' Nemesis is designed to rile you up, steal your loot, and berate you with a dusky rasp that feels like it’s forming right in your own throat. The sound engineers knew exactly what they were doing. It's a performance that doesn't just tell a story; it actively *antagonizes* the player in the most delicious way possible.
Next, **Kelly Burke** as The Traveler in 'Cronos: The New Dawn' gives us a masterclass in subtle storytelling. The Traveler spends the entire game with her face and body obscured by a spacesuit. How do you convey emotion, connection, and growth without facial expressions? Through Burke's voice and movements. Her delivery is often removed, almost robotic, but when the story demands it, she opens up with raw vulnerability. It's a testament to how much can be communicated through careful vocal work and a genuine understanding of character, especially when Burke even collaborated with developers on key emotional moments. Proper partnership, that.
Then we have **Johnny Santiago** stepping into the frame in 'Mafia: The Old Country' as Don Bernardo Torrisi, and boy, does he steal the show. Santiago, a screen actor from Brooklyn, brings a quiet menace to this early 20th-century Sicilian crime boss. He's outwardly calm, planning, doting on family, but you can feel that barely contained wrath bubbling beneath the surface. Every scene, you're on edge, wondering when it'll erupt. And when it does? It’s genuinely scary, in a way that few gaming characters manage without being literal demigods. A breakout performance, if you ask me.
Finally, let's talk about **Makoto Koji** as Hornet in 'Hollow Knight: Silksong.' This is where my curiosity really pings. Koji, an animator by trade, largely *made up* Hornet's 'bug gibberish' lines based on instinct. And yet, this isn't just nonsense; complemented by animation and written dialogue, you feel the pure emotion – fear, determination, solace – pumping out of Hornet's scenes. Lore is one thing, but Koji's 'bug-speak jazz' conveys the visceral stakes, proving that a trained actor can channel deeper meaning through sound alone. It’s the kind of innovative, almost accidental brilliance that makes you wonder what else is possible when creators just… experiment.
This stellar list of overlooked vocal maestros and their incredible performances was inspired by an insightful piece from Oli Welsh and the Polygon Staff, originally titled 'The best game of the year performances not by Troy Baker.' Top blokes, giving props where props are due!
So, while we'll probably see the familiar faces grace the stages and collect their gongs, let's not forget the sheer breadth of talent that makes our digital worlds sing. These aren't just voice actors; they're the architects of emotion, the weavers of digital dreams, and sometimes, the guys who accidentally make you root for a clumsy bloke in a onesie. Here's to the surprising, the understated, and the utterly unforgettable performances that truly shaped our gaming year. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see if I can make my coffee machine sound like an unhinged villain with just a few choice words...
Tags: Gaming Awards, Voice Acting, Indie Games, Performance Capture, Game Industry
Original article: Polygon