Comments on: Ignition Discusses Muramasa: The Demon Blade’s Localization (Only Japanese Voice Acting!)

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:28:06 +0000

If they really feel the game is “deeply steeped in Japanese tradition, mythology, and culture” I hope they include the Japanese subtitles too. As someone who is trying to learn Japanese, it's frustrating to see all the US localized releases of Japanese movies and video games strip out the original subtitles. Voice is nice, but I like to have the text as well.

By: Rorg

Rorg — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 06:40:05 +0000

“Who wants some goofy anime voices in this game?”

Hmmm… I wonder, didn't many of the japanese voice actors also work on anime? I wonder why the assumption is made that japanese anime voice acting isn't goofy? Interesting…
To me, it's such a shame that Ignition isn't bothering to record the voices in English. I will be curious to what the sales of the game will be. Like Wartech? Or maybe like Odin Sphere?
It will be interesting to see how that decision plays out.

By: Kashi

Kashi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:21:56 +0000

Just another person agreeing =) Although it seems a lot of us enjoy the announcement of a Japanese track, having it as the only option seems a poor choice given that they're closing off a demographic. Also considering it being their (Vanillaware) first title in North America being released on the Wii, you would think they would invest in a dub as well. Strange as it is, there is a fanbase for dubs and some players want to watch, not read, as they play. If I had shown these to any of my co-worklers, they would've stopped listening after I said “Japanese only”.

By: Kashi

Kashi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:14:24 +0000

/facepalm

By: Aoshi00

Aoshi00 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:34:19 +0000

Sure, if a perfect world dual audio tracks would be a no brainer, DVDs rendered the perpetual dub vs. sub war moot for anime, making everybody happy. But the problem is most games forgo the original Jpn dub entirely, all the recent JRPGs on the 360 or Tenchu SA on the Wii come to mind. So if they really have to make me choose, I would take the Jpn audio any day, which usually has a higher standard, while Eng. dub is more of a gamble. For a game w/ such strong Jpn flavor, not eliminating the Jpn track is not bad at all. Again, they always like to use only one or the other, so…

By: Serge73

Serge73 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:23:34 +0000

Same here.

By: Volcynika

Volcynika — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:23:49 +0000

So…..logic common sense is not offering option of both? It seemed to be going well that devs were offering both English and JP dubs, now common sense is leaving one out? Well ok.

By: Nikos

Nikos — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:31:00 +0000

At last. Some developer with logic common sense. I agree 100% that they have to keep the Japanese Audio. American audio voices are so irritating some times. It's like you watch children's cartoon.
Must buy from day 1.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: jarrodand

jarrodand — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:12:23 +0000

I don't mind subs, I tend to prefer them really, especially in a game like this.

I can see why it might bother some but eh… dubs aren't always appropriate, even if the option's nice to have. Good thing it's on Wii too, MS/Sony won't push through sub only games on 360/PS3.

By: Moriken

Moriken — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:57:36 +0000

FFXII is actually the only dubbed game I ever played where I found the dub equal to or even superior to your usual top-seiyuu japanese voiceover…I loved Balthier, he did the Han-Solo-type of characterization really good.

But dubs like Persona 3/4 or .hack/G.U. were just plain atrocious in my ears. If people like them, fine. I prefer the original audio, no matter the language.