I was just thinking about how some people say they want silent protagonists in order to self insert better as the player character. For me I rather want to have a good consistent story, no matter if the player character is pre determined or I can choose. And since Hornet talks in her game, we are able to learn more about this world and its inhabitants thoughts, which is the thing I’m nearly most interested in.
For Hollow Knight it fit lore wise that the protagonist couldn’t talk, but it also limited player expression and exploration of the NPCs.
Fair point, although I give credit to the way it tied into the grander narrative. A Hornet more focused on loftier goals and not individuals is a Hornet who’s susceptible to the call for power, and replaces Grandmother Silk, while only a Hornet who cares more about individuals and helping everyone, no matter how minor, is truly capable of resisting that impulse and finding another path.