Unlocking the Enigmatic Past: Discover Matt Mercer's Hidden Video Game Applauds Beyond Vincent Valentine

Highlights

Following the airing of the 2023 State of Play broadcast, dedicated enthusiasts of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth engaged in fervent discussions, speculating that the esteemed voice actor Matt Mercer had lent his talents to bring Vincent Valentine's character to life. These assumptions were eventually confirmed to be true, as Mercer himself unveiled his role as Vincent at New York Comic Con, taking over the mantle from Steve Blum, who had previously portrayed the iconic character in earlier projects.

Mercer has brought to life memorable villains, including Ganondorf in The Legend of Zelda and Fyrakk in World of Warcraft.

In addition, he has skillfully portrayed beloved gaming heroes like Cole Cassidy and Yusuke Kitagawa, demonstrating his versatility as a voice actor.

Following the September 2023 State of Play broadcast, there was a significant response from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth fans on social media regarding Vincent Valentine's first appearance in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake saga. While Square Enix did not confirm it at the time, fans strongly believed that Matt Mercer was the voice actor for Vincent Valentine. More than a month later, at the 2023 New York Comic Con, Mercer confirmed this speculation and officially announced his role as Vincent.

Mercer has taken on the character of Vincent, previously portrayed by Steve Blum in the movie Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children and the standalone game Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7. Beyond his well-known role as the Dungeon Master for the Critical Role web series and his involvement in anime dubs like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Mercer has an extensive history in video game voice-over work that predates his upcoming part in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

The Fiery and Villainous Resume of Matt Mercer

In one of Mercer's most notable roles, he was selected to portray the Demon King Ganondorf in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Unlike previous Zelda games where Ganondorf's "voice" consisted mainly of grunts and laughter, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom introduced iconic Zelda characters with actual voices for the first time. Mercer expertly portrayed the Demon King in both his skeletal and fleshed-out forms, delivering a menacing growl and malicious tone befitting one of the most renowned villains in video game history.

Ganondorf is not the sole villainous video game character Mercer has taken on in recent years. In World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, Mercer showcased his talent as the voice of the fiery Primal Incarnate, Fyrakk. With two distinct vocal ranges in both his Visage form and Dragon form, Mercer skillfully infused Fyrakk's character with spite and madness, even as the corrupting power of Shadowflame consumed him. As of now, World of Warcraft players are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to face off against this fiery antagonist in the upcoming Guardians of the Dream content update. Fyrakk will serve as the ultimate boss of the raid "Amirdrassil, the Dream's Hope" in Patch 10.2. The outcome of this encounter and its implications for the future of World of Warcraft remain to be seen.

Matt Mercer's Heroic Roles

Cole Cassidy, the rugged cowboy known for his love of cigars in the game Overwatch, has had a challenging life. Originally a farmhand in New Mexico, Cassidy later became the leader of the notorious Deadlock gang. Prior to the downfall of Overwatch, he joined the organization's covert division, Blackwatch. Following internal conflicts that caused Overwatch to disband, Cassidy embarked on a solo career as a mercenary. Despite his unconventional path, Cassidy's personal sense of justice remains unwavering, as highlighted by Mercer's portrayal. Armed with his infamous Peacekeeper revolver and the controversial Magnetic Grenade, Cassidy is renowned as one of the most lethal damage dealers in the upcoming game Overwatch 2.

In addition to his role with Blizzard, Mercer is also recognized among Persona fans as the voice behind the polite and cultured art student Yusuke Kitagawa. Upon joining the Phantom Thieves of Hearts in Persona 5, Yusuke earned the codename "Fox" and awakened his Persona, Goemon, in the second dungeon. In combat, Yusuke wields a katana and assault rifles, while utilizing Goemon's physical and ice-based attacks. Mercer's ability to seamlessly switch between a gruff persona and the portrayal of a youthful character showcases his remarkable range. Despite his notable reputation for rugged roles, fans may initially not recognize Mercer's voice due to his softer and more polite tone when voicing Yusuke.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launches on February 29, 2024, for PS5.