For its first foray into the Half-Life universe in over a decade, Valve made the leap to VR with Half-Life: Alyx. The switch from a traditional FPS to a virtual reality FPS wasn't the only big change from the original Half-Life formula, however.
Unlike Gordon Freeman, Half-Life: Alyx star Alyx Vance is not a silent protagonist, actually delaying his end of conversation with NPCs. This makes the voice act Half-Life: Alyx more prominently than in any other game in the series.
If you're wondering who played any of the characters in Half-Life: Alyx or where you might have heard their voices before, we've got your answer.
Good News Gospel - Alyx Vance
Ozioma Akagha plays Alyx Vance in Half-Life: Alyx, succeeding Merle Dandridge, who played Half Life 2. Although some fans may have wanted to hear Alyx's original voice in the new game, Demi- life: Alyx does indeed take place before the events of Half Life 2, and since it has been many years since this game's inception, it makes sense to bring in a new voice to represent the younger version of Alyx. After hearing Akagha's performance, all critics of the change are likely to agree that the actress was a great choice.
If Alyx's voice sounds familiar to you, there's a good reason for it. Akagha played the role of Plastic in Mirror's Edge: Catalyst and three different characters in Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus. Outside of video games, her television roles include Nashville, Teen Titans Go !, and The Runaways.
James Moses Black – Dr Eli Vance
Alyx's father, Dr. Eli Vance, is played by James Moses Black. Like Alyx, Dr. Vance was recast for the Half Life 2 prequel, originally played by Robert Guillaume.
Black has worked in television for almost two decades and had his first video game roles in 2011, playing Vernon McNeal in La Noire and the background characters in Infamous 2. His television roles include This Is Us , 24: Legacy, Nashville, and the The Roots miniseries.
Michael Shapiro – G-Man
The mysterious G-Man returns in Half-Life: Alyx, played by Michael Shapiro. Unlike the other lead roles, G-Man has not been recast for the game, having been portrayed by Shapiro since the original Half Life in 1998. Shapiro is also the voice behind series regular Barney Calhoun.
In addition to his work in Half Life, Shapiro voices Oracle in Dota 2 and background characters in Grand Theft Auto V, as well as many other games. His dubbing work for video games extended until 1994 with Super Punch-Out !!
Related: Review: Half-Life: Alyx is VR at its best
Tony Todd - Vortigaunts
The entire Vortigaunt species is portrayed by Tony Todd in Half-Life: Alyx. The Vortigaunts first appeared in the original Half Life as enemies, but switched sides in Half Life 2, helping Gordon Freeman topple the combine. Tony Todd has been the voice of the Vortigaunts since Half-Life 2: Episode 2, succeeding Louis Gossett, Jr. Episode 1.
Tony Todd has voiced characters in Valve's Artifact, Dota 2, Call of Duty Black Ops 2, and the PlayStation Classic The Legend of Dragoon. A prolific film actor, Todd has appeared in movies and TV series since 1986, including Lean On Me, Night of the Living Dead, Candyman, Riverdale, and The X-Files.
Ellen McLain – Overwatch
Ellen McLain voices the Overwatch AI which is often heard making announcements and giving orders to the Combine in Half-Life: Alyx. McLain played the same role in Half Life 2 in her first credit as a video game voice actress.
McLain went on to play Valve's other evil AI, GLaDOS, in Portal and Portal 2. She also played GLaDOS in other projects such as Poker Night 2, Dota 2, and Lego Dimensions. McLain also voices TempBot in the Bee and Puppy TV series.
Rhys Darby – Russell
Rhys Darby plays Russell, a resistance agent who helps Alyx during the game and invents the very useful Gravity gloves.
Darby has voiced characters on shows such as Star Against the Dark Arts, Voltron: Legendary Defender, and Bob's Burgers. He is best known for his role as Murray Hewitt in the Flight of the Conchords television series.
