Memorable NPCs definitely make or break games, or having NPCs at all (looking at you Fallout 76!). One of the most recent great experiences has been with Hollow Knight; I got so immersed in trying to figure out more about these interesting creatures and their stories, even though they barely really had much to say in some cases. I think something that helped a lot was also how different they all were from one another.
On the other hand, a game like Zelda BOTW, I really wanted to get more into the characters, and the cut-scenes were they used voices were incredibly capturing, but then most of their dialogue then ended up just being text, even for the primary characters, which really hurt a bit at the start. The game is still one of the best ever, just wish there was more voiced dialogue.
I cannot believe that it was a monetary thing, so maybe just space conservation?
On the other hand, a game like Zelda BOTW, I really wanted to get more into the characters, and the cut-scenes were they used voices were incredibly capturing, but then most of their dialogue then ended up just being text, even for the primary characters, which really hurt a bit at the start. The game is still one of the best ever, just wish there was more voiced dialogue. I cannot believe that it was a monetary thing, so maybe just space conservation?
Hopefully https://replicastudios.com/ will be able to help make NPCs more like characters.