Phantom Blade Zero Replaces Soul's Voice Actor With Roger Craig Smith

Phantom Blade Zero has made a notable change to its English voice cast just before launch. Roger Craig Smith, widely recognized for voicing Sonic the Hedgehog, Ezio Auditore and Chris Redfield, has taken over the role of Soul, the game's main protagonist.

The change is particularly interesting because earlier trailers and gameplay footage featured a different voice actor, Jay Maksenuk. Players may therefore notice a difference between the promotional material released before launch and the final game.

Roger Craig Smith Takes Over as Soul

Developer S-Game has confirmed Roger Craig Smith as the new English voice of Soul. Smith has built an impressive career in video games and animation, with several well-known characters among his previous roles.

Some of his most recognizable performances include Sonic the Hedgehog, Assassin's Creed protagonist Ezio Auditore, Resident Evil's Chris Redfield and Batman.

His experience with major gaming franchises makes him a recognizable addition to the cast. Players can hear his performance as Soul in the game's official launch trailer.

What Happened to the Previous Voice Actor?

Before the casting change, Jay Maksenuk provided Soul's English voice in promotional trailers and gameplay footage. His performance can still be heard in previously released videos.

According to Game Informer's report, the change happened surprisingly late in the development and review process. The publication's reviewer had played much of the game with Maksenuk's performance before S-Game informed them that Soul's voice had been updated.

The reviewer also noted that the developer did not initially explain the reason for the change or identify the replacement actor.

As a result, players watching older trailers may hear a different version of Soul from the one featured in the final release.

Why Did S-Game Change Soul's Voice Actor?

One question remains unanswered: why did S-Game decide to replace the original voice actor so close to launch?

At the time of the available reports, the developer had not publicly explained the decision. Game Informer also indicated that it had contacted S-Game for further comment.

Without an official explanation, it would be premature to assume the change was caused by creative disagreements, scheduling problems or performance-related concerns.

For now, the confirmed information is that Roger Craig Smith provides Soul's English voice in the launch version.

A Recognizable Voice for a Major Action Game

Soul is at the center of Phantom Blade Zero's story, making his voice performance an important part of the experience for players who prefer English audio.

Smith's previous work gives the character a new connection to some of gaming's most recognizable franchises. His involvement may also encourage fans of Sonic, Assassin's Creed and Resident Evil to take a closer look at the game.

The change is also a reminder that video game development can involve significant adjustments even near release. In this case, the difference between older promotional footage and the final game is especially noticeable because it affects the main character.

Final Thoughts

Roger Craig Smith has officially taken over as Soul's English voice actor in Phantom Blade Zero, replacing Jay Maksenuk, whose performance appeared in earlier trailers and gameplay videos.

Although S-Game has not explained the reason behind the recasting, players starting the final game will hear Smith in the leading role. Fans can compare his performance with the older footage and decide how the new voice fits Soul's character.

Source: Game Informer and reports covering S-Game's voice-cast update.