The recent revelation at New York Comic Con has fans jumping out of their coffins in joy. Matt Mercer, renowned for his portrayal as the Dungeon Master in the popular web series, Critical Role, is confirmed to voice the enigmatic gunslinger Vincent Valentine in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
The latest announcement comes as the next stage in Square Enix’s ambitious endeavor to reimagine the timeless classic of the 1990s, a project that promises not just to replicate but to innovate, introducing bold narrative twists to the original story.
Although fans had caught glimpses of Valentine in the earlier trailers for FF7 Rebirth, Square Enix had remained tight-lipped about his voice actor, leading to wild speculations. The energy at the NYCC was electric when, in a dramatic reveal worthy of a game cutscene, Mercer himself, wearing Valentine’s brooding colors, confirmed the role. He shared an anecdote that highlighted the secretive nature of the gaming industry, describing how, after pouring his heart into an audition for Valentine, he was left in suspense for months. In an amusing twist, Mercer was led to believe he’d be voicing minor NPCs, only to discover during a recording session that he was, in fact, chosen for Vincent Valentine.
It's official!
Matt Mercer (@matthewmercer) is the voice of Vincent Valentine in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. #FF7R pic.twitter.com/8dKq3E6EXj
— FINAL FANTASY VII (@finalfantasyvii) October 14, 2023
Vincent Valentine, a former Turk embroiled in Cloud Strife’s epic journey, first gained popularity in the original game. He later took center stage in FF7: Dirge of Cerberus, where he was voiced by another industry in Steve Blum. His mysterious demeanor, coupled with his visually arresting design, has cemented his status as a fan favorite. While it’s worth noting that Vincent won’t be a playable character in Rebirth – the same goes for Cid, by the way – he’s expected to play a significant role, similar to Red XIII in the previous installment of the remake.
Matt Mercer is the ideal choice for breathing life into the lifeless that is Vincent Valentine. From his roles in Persona 5 as Yusuke and Chrom in Fire Emblem as well as the iconic Cole Cassidy in Overwatch, Mercer has been all over the gaming industry, demonstrating his versatility and prowess. Most recently, Mercer lent his voice as Ganondorf in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which went viral earlier this year for reasons you might not have expected.
His talent for imbuing characters with depth and nuance has won him legions of fans. It’s no surprise, then, that many had surmised Mercer’s involvement based on a single line of Vincent’s dialogue, a testament to his distinctive voice and style. There’s an undeniable excitement surrounding how Mercer will interpret Vincent, a character known for his layers of mystery and emotional complexity.
Based on Mercer’s track record, he’ll not only be able to understand Vincent’s essence but elevate it to a higher degree.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, set to launch on February 29, 2024, for PlayStation 5, promises to be a rich experience that will blend the old and new. With characters like Vincent Valentine at the narrative forefront and talented actors like Matt Mercer behind the scenes, fans have every reason to be excited about what’s to come.
Speaking of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Tetsuya Nomura recently explained the rationale behind the box art for the game. Finally, those expecting to see a DLC for FF7 Rebirth might want to brace for disappointment. The good news is that it pretty much guarantees that the wait between FF7 Rebirth and the next game in the trilogy won’t be as long.
