The silent protagonist in video games

So started playing half life 2 again and there is just something that really bugs me....the player character gordon freeman never speaks.

And there have been a number of games that do this and often heard the reason to make the player feel more immersed but for me it really does no do that at all. But worse than not speaking which they could easily say something like the player character had a accident and lost his voice is it feels like the character never reacts or responds to what other characters say.

I have seen lots of moments in games where after being told something i would be busting to say something or react but they do not. In the end if you make a silent protagonist make them have a reason to be silent but make them more human so at least react to what other characters say even with just a nod or shake of the head.