Iorveth & Kingslayer: New Voice Actors

[Thaddeus Mynor]

Iorveth & Kingslayer: New Voice Actors
New Iorveth:
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Preview - Key Characters - PC Previews at GameSpot

New Iorveth:
YouTube - The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Escort Mission
(52 for the line “King or beggar what’s the difference?!”)
Old Iorveth:
YouTube - Witcher 2 : Assassins of Kings - Official Trailer [HD]
(1:25 for the line “King or beggar what’s the difference?!”)

New Both:
YouTube - The Witcher 2 - Kingslayer
(Starts 1:55)
Old Both:
YouTube - The Witcher 2 : Assassins of Kings - Official Cutscene Trailer [HD]
(Starts 2:02)

CD Projekt has changed the original voice actors for Iorveth and Kingslayer. I've posted some videos comparing the two.

I personally think that the change is for the worse. The two original voice actor’s delivery of the lines, carry so much more character, thought, and weight, that the new voice actors don’t even come close. Not only were their delivery of the lines better executed, but also their voices were more distinct and less generic. This change seems sudden, and uncalled for.

Before the change, It was nice to hear Iorveth with a deeper, more regal, more dignified, voice and Kingslayer gravely, and mysterious. I was glad they didn't give into the Iorveth “should sound like an elf” argument, after they took time to specifically describe him as not your typical elf. But now, now, he sounds uncouth and whiney. And Kingslayer was changed to a deeper, almost New York thug-esque, voice. It all seems so out of place, and of a worse quality.

I think they should change the voices back- if not Kingslayer, than at least Iorveth. They did something similar for The Witcher 1’s enhanced edition. It would be something I would pay for, because as the game is now, it really takes a dive in immersion and I don’t think I would ever like or support Iorveth the way he is now because of it. If Bioware can charge $5 for a DLC armor pack, I'd gladly pay $5 for a voice. Good voice acting is so important to a game.

What do you all think?

[Sayne]

I like the old voices better too, but it's possible the first actors weren't available to record all the lines or that they were too expensive. I doubt CDP would skimp on voice actors though, so I doubt the latter. Could have been that whoever ran the English vocalization just liked the new guys more.

[Thaddeus Mynor]

It just seems weird that it happened. When CD Projekt changed and updated Geralt's face, it was extensively talked about and debated in The Witcher Forums, and they ended up with a what they have now. But these new voice actors, just seem out of no where, especially since they were used in all of the trailers leading up to the release. It seems unlike CD Projekt to go backwards like this...

[flix]

Iorveth hardly sounds different to me. In fact, it sounds like it could even be the same actor, who just rerecorded his lines, giving different deliveries and with slightly different intonation and maybe production value.

New Kingslayer sounds absolutely horrific though. I actively hate his character because of that awful voice. It sounds like a non-American trying to do an American accent - maybe a Southern accent? God it sucks.

[bigchief]

I haven't seen any credits or names, but to me the Kingslayer sounds like Azar Javed from the first game. It sounds like the same voice actor trying to do a little bit different accent.

[jklinders]

I'll go against the grain here and say that I like the new VO's better. I think the performances were just fine. The voices seemed to fit their personalities and body types better.

Just an opinion of course. I probably would never have noticed a difference had I not had the side by side.

Those older videos were posted long enough ago that new voice talent had to be hired for the game due to schedule conflicts etc.

[Dr.Dr3aM]

I personally like The Kingslayer's new voice. It sounds kind of "badass" and DukeNukemish, and it somehow fits his massive body better than the previous voice over.

As far as the elf goes, old Iorveth's voice is better. I mean, he's one of the elder elves (Aen Seidhe, or something, if my knowledge doesn't fail me), so the older more noble version seems to be more appropriate.