[Feedback] Wuk Lamat's English Voice

[Turtledeluxe]

I'm literally South American, and I'm quite literally telling you if I see a character voice acted by someone that isn't a South American, but they put in a good enough job in understanding the pronounciation and accent from one of our regions, and knock it out of the park, I don't mind, yes. But the casting decision was bad, and the VA was bad. So I don't like it.

But thank you very much for telling me that I should be offended on your behalf, when it's my culture we're talking about, I guess? Savior Complex, much.

It may be the case that the accent used for this character is just the way Sena talks. I am unsure as I am unfamiliar with this person.

But on the subject of devs hiring random Americans to fake accents for roles clearly inspired by particular regions (when that does happen), i don't think that's the right choice and you're not going to change my mind. This is like saying we might as well just use AI if it's good enough, or blackface is ok if it's done right. I just don't agree on any level and your nationality is totally irrelevant.

But I don't need your approval.

[SwadTheFrog]

It may be the case that the accent used for this character is just the way Sena talks. I am unsure as I am unfamiliar with this person.

But on the subject of devs hiring random Americans to fake accents for roles clearly inspired by particular regions (when that does happen), i don't think that's the right choice and you're not going to change my mind. This is like saying we might as well just use AI if it's good enough, or blackface is ok if it's done right. I just don't agree on any level and your nationality is totally irrelevant.

But I don't need your approval.

Ahh, so it really is a savior complex. Got it, Mighty Whitey. Please colonize me some more.

[Turtledeluxe]

Ahh, so it really is a savior complex. Got it, Mighty Whitey. Please colonize me some more.

I'm interracial and in a relationship with an Ecuadorian. I quite literally don't give a single f that you're an apologist.

And tbh it doesn't make sense regardless. It's 2024, actors are widely available- cultures are not some obscure inaccessible thing.. If there's a young bi lingual Portuguese actor who is perfect for Wuk Lamat is looking for a chance to get into the industry but the role is shuffled off to a 37 year old (Sena Breyer age) white American actor (which Breyer apparently isn't) that will always feel redundant and disappointing especially given the resources and knowledge we have today, right now, in 2024

[SwadTheFrog]

I'm interracial and in a relationship with an Ecuadorian. I quite literally don't give a single f that you're an apologist.

Okay, bro.

[Merrigan]

What the hell happened here ? Pop-corn time ?!

[Mikey_R]

Just to throw in my 2p;

I have no issues with the voice in general, I generally am not expecting perfection and just take it as it as it comes. However, this doesn't stop me from noticing weird ways in which lines are said or that they don't necessarily feel as emotive as you expect. I can even take a clip that someone posted earlier for comparing EN and JP voices to show what I mean.

The clip in question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CfnJsSZeyg&t=27s

The start, 'Think you're cleaver, huh?' I find fine, generally no issues here.

The next bit, 'I'll rip off that beak...' Again, this bit, fine.

The last bit, 'and roast you on a spit!' This is the bit that ruins it for me. The less egregious bit is how she says 'roast', it's almost there, but more emphasis on the roast would have made it better, but the worst bit is the end, there is a weird pause before she says spit and even how she says spit is weird. It just doesn't quite flow and really stands out as being out of place.

Again, this is my completely unprofessional view, but it is these places where you need to properly articulate the emotion that make the most impact in your performance. If these fall flat, it doesn't matter how good the rest is.

[Turtledeluxe]

Just to throw in my 2p;

I have no issues with the voice in general, I generally am not expecting perfection and just take it as it as it comes. However, this doesn't stop me from noticing weird ways in which lines are said or that they don't necessarily feel as emotive as you expect. I can even take a clip that someone posted earlier for comparing EN and JP voices to show what I mean.

The clip in question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CfnJsSZeyg&t=27s

The start, 'Think you're cleaver, huh?' I find fine, generally no issues here.

The next bit, 'I'll rip off that beak...' Again, this bit, fine.

The last bit, 'and roast you on a spit!' This is the bit that ruins it for me. The less egregious bit is how she says 'roast', it's almost there, but more emphasis on the roast would have made it better, but the worst bit is the end, there is a weird pause before she says spit and even how she says spit is weird. It just doesn't quite flow and really stands out as being out of place.

Again, this is my completely unprofessional view, but it is these places where you need to properly articulate the emotion that make the most impact in your performance. If these fall flat, it doesn't matter how good the rest is.

I'm just not hearing it, idk. I think the line sounds fine.

I've said before some lines sound flat, but that's the case with all of the actors in this game, especially in their earliest sessions.

[VerdeLuck]

The inconsistency in the accent really threw me for a loop. It sounds forced to me and whenever a more complicated word comes out, the accent starts to dissolve and you're left with regular American English.
I wish they had cast someone who had the accent that was wanted, like they did for the Thavnairians who have very natural sounding Indian accents because they cast people who have those accents in their natural speech.

[DiaDeem]

She's fine.

Just for the future: Always remember that a VA is doing as instructed by their director, as that's really their job. If you think a VA doesn't fit their character, your should probably be looking the way of the director and the casting crew more than at the VA themselves. An actor's job is to portray the writer and director's vision of a character. This is very much so the reason why some of ARR VA sounds weird, despite the cast itself being rather good. Poor direction can ruin the best VA (or actor in a film).

That's all. I like her just fine, but we like and dislike things and I won't pretend I can dictate someone else's taste or opinion. Just keep in mind what I said above. Also, JP VA has always been good so you can't go wrong with just sticking with that. Japanese also doesn't lend itself to weird Shakespeare or accent variations, so you get a more straightforward consistent experience, if that's more your thing.

[MercuryD]

Honestly, I think she did a fine job. Her accent was fine but at times her lines fell a little flat but that's no real issue right now. This is her first section of the game that she's doing so there's going to be growing pains while she gets used to Wuk's voice, personality and range. Look at Zero, she started off rough to me but by 6.3 she sounded much better.

And with as far ahead they are with recording it's possible the devs weren't exactly sure how they needed her to sound which will likely be fixed when expac drops.

In any case, I'm looking forward to seeing more of her and can't wait to see how much better she inevitably gets.