I'm all for clever localization but please don't just leave out important story.

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I like it when a script doesn't blatantly explain every detail when it doesn't need to. There are things that didn't need to be stated in order for the reader/viewer/player to understand what is going on. If you're paying attention to the events and what's being said then you don't need the writer bashing your head in by telling you exactly what's going on after you figured it out.

I'm not sure about you all, but to me when the writer just lays out everything in plain it makes it feel like the writer thinks we, the audience, are too stupid to piece things together.

For example, in the English version of the dialogue Midgardsomr says "Guided by a star...? Heh heh heh.", but the Japanese translation says "This is true, the star in the northern skies burns with the valorous roar of my kin. This is the battlecry, calling to advance."

How much of the Japanese version could not have already been surmised by the player? It was already pointed out, or at the very least implied prior to meeting Midgardsomr that the Dravanians were preparing a full scale assault (hence Guided by a star). It doesn't need to be stated that a great dragon had roared.

Or another example; [PC shakes head in disagreement] "Seven children did I sire. One now singeth of retribution. I rise to join in the chorus..." compared to "You bid me to stop the war? You might possess the Echo, but you're just a human. I cannot grant such wish. I have awoken to answer to the roar for it was not me who roared, but one of my seven sons."

The information concerning stopping the war does not need to be stated. We already know it won't happen (because foreshadowing, prior statements, the war already having gone on for ages).

Or how about "Hearken to me, Hydaelyn! I remember... and I consent." This statement clearly implies that Midgardsomr had some sort of history with Hydaelyn. They do not need to directly say "Could it be, you think him special? Hydaelyn, you wish me to grant him power?"

His first two lines of dialogue ("By Her gifts has thou earned a moment's reprieve. Speak, mortal, and I shall listen.") imply he had some background with Hydaelyn and perhaps a previous dealing with Her.

And when he states in the Japanese one that he's testing us, the English version implies it. It's something that doesn't need to be said outright (I've noticed A LOT of localized Japanese games outright say things they didn't need to say, but that's how the writing is I guess).

I could go on for a long time on this stuff... but I won't (don't expect replies if you reply to this post, I probably won't). Ultimately, I like how the English version is. I, at least, was able to piece together the details as the story went along. I've played many JRPGs and many of them state too much of the obvious (that said, the intended audience of JRPGs in general are usually the younger teens rather than people in their late teens or adults). Not that I dislike JRPGs or their stories, but many of the ones I've played have little to nothing written in between the lines because they outright state everything to the audience.

Sorry for any typos or inconsistencies or anything. I really don't feel like proofreading at the moment. Too tired.