Clementine's voice
"No, no, Melissa. Creepier, with a flatter monotone."
I can't help wondering if episode 1's voice director imparted this advice to Melissa Hutchison. There were more than a few occasions when Clem's voice took on a soulless kind of vibe that almost came across as psychopathic than world-weary. Listen to "I thought you were dead" for an example.
Now, I can understand where they're coming from with this approach to Clem's characterization. It's been sixteen months since Omid was murdered by a trigger-happy girl, and we can only guess what else has been desensitizing her in the interim. But that's precisely the problem. Withholding information like that from the player only serves to distance us from the PC, and in a game where EVERYONE is guilty until proven innocent, it's just not wise to alienate the protagonist from us.
Comments
I heard one other complaint like this in another thread and went to replay the game. I think her voice is just fine. I was worried when they said it would sound more mature, but what I got was what I thought a natural progression in how she sounds. We know she's been through some tough and heartbreaking moments, they don't exactly needed to showcase sixteen months of suffering in an already emotionally charged episode to make a point.
Her voice is a little bit deeper because she's older (Women don't have the same voice as they did when they were nine, the change just isn't as notable as it is with men) and she's probably monotonous because of Lee's death, and Omid's death, probably having to help deliver a baby and find out it's died or something, and the complete lack of hope there is. She could be depressed or something.
That said, I'm not too keen on the voice as it is, hopefully it'll be less monotonous as the series goes on.
I actually thought Christa's voice was really different after Omid's death, much darker.
A growth spurt would probably factor in too, might have changed her voice a bit.
Christa sounded almost like...haggard when they're at the campsite, particularly when she says she's going to go look for more wood. She seemed incredibly bitter that the world took away Omid and probably her child.
Her "new voice" sounds perfect IMO. Just a little bit darker and less upbeat than eight-year-old season one Clem.
I don't understand. What info are they witholding?
1) Whatever happened during the 16-month period following Omid's death, and
2) The identities of the two mysterious silhouettes Clem saw on the horizon in season 1's post-credits teaser.
Seems more than likely that the two figures were Omid and Christa, considering the start of Season 2. I'd like confirmation, though.
And you know....maybe they are waiting to play out some flashbacks in a later episode? I don't necessarily see it as withholding information.
yup Clems voice tone has changed,age and experience,Melissa done a wonderful job!
Honestly,I'm more annoyed by the new "lump" face she has.Kind of makes her lose her spirit.
I love the new model and the voice changes. No hate. Just love
You would imagine in it was Christa and Omid- since she is with them early on in episode 1, still at 9 years old.
I agree about the 'I thought you were dead' line- very monotone and distant. Now you think about it- it probably was from the trauma she's suffered up to this point. As the guy above said about Christa at the campfire looking really haggard and her voice reflecting that- she was less spritely and up beat. If there was that conscious decision made- you'd imagine the same careful treatment was given to Clementine's lines too.