I have a question about this game

[Kuromi Serika]

Why this game's protagonist called "Trigger" is silent at all times? Other than Ace Combat 7, we do have plenty of silent protagonists in other games too. Maybe budget and time limitation? Xd

[Koros Antavo]

Tradition and self-insertion. Also saves you from a lot of cringe.
It's not Trigger who fights through impossible odds, it's you.

[Devsman]

The idea is that Trigger is literally the player. They can't give Trigger dialog, because that would be putting words in your mouth. They also can't show Trigger's face because that would betray the illusion. This is a series staple--Mobius 1 doesn't talk, Blaze doesn't talk (except your dialog options), etc, because these are supposed to be the player too.

It's the same reason Link from Legend of Zelda usually doesn't talk, though in that case, the game's perspective requires a visual representation.

Though if you ask me, they kinda flubbed it up in two places:

1. In the cutscene before Mission 17, I think it was, when the CO says he can see in your face what you want to do. How does the dev know what you want to do?

2. At least once, Trigger is referred to as he/him. Though this is probably a localization thing, as using masculine pronouns for women is acceptable in Japan.

[Rastrelly]

Originally posted by Kotori Minami:

Why this game's protagonist called "Trigger" is silent at all times? Other than Ace Combat 7, we do have plenty of silent protagonists in other games too. Maybe budget and time limitation? Xd

Fordon Greeman never speks. Valv has no mone to make him speaks.

Now, seriously, man, you even know the term. Is it so hard to google it? It's a thing for over fourty years by this point.

[eEXM-21]

You'd like Assault Horizon more then

[Kuromi Serika]

Originally posted by eEXM-21:

You'd like Assault Horizon more then

But I haven't played that game before loll

[cyäegha]

the point he was making is that assault horizon has a protagonist with a name, a face and a voice
it's not much better as you're still dealing with an ace combat-tier story, but if silent protagonists don't get your juices flowing then you've at least got one title that does

[Dampback]

IDK i prefer silent player characters, nothing worse than thinking the character you play as is a ♥♥♥, ruins the game

[Lack of Stuff]

Because all of AC's silent protagonists somehow have more personality than William Bishop.

[cyäegha]

that would require bishop to somehow have negative personality

... i suppose it makes sense in a contrived way