Quote Originally Posted by Rowyne View Post
This is a very thoughtfully worded post, so much so that I could have quoted the entire thing. I personally don't care for the Japanese language, to me it sounds like a fast slew of mushy consonants and grunts (no offense intended to anyone, and I'm sure English is an ugly language to some, also). But that's really beside the point. I would prefer not to hear any foreign language with subtitles. I want to understand the nuances and inflections of what's being spoken, as it's being said. I want it to instantly create a response within me, which just doesn't happen otherwise. And when you are trying to immerse yourself in the game world (as I am, given that I am a RPer), hearing the characters speaking a foreign language only reminds you that you aren't part of that world. I prefer my native language, and if that's not possible, I'd rather have no voicing at all so at least I can imagine their voices in a way that is familiar.
Hi Rowyne and All,

I definitely empathize with your RP angle, and just anyone who wants an option in their native language. That's why I hope Square and Yoshi P make good on their earlier promise to allow the players to *choose* what Language and Subtitles they want, whether it's Original Japanese Language with English Subtitles, or English Dub, or French, German, etc.

Options are good. Everyone's happy.

I've definitely heard and appreciate great English VAs (e.g., Cowboy Bebop Dub, Nolan North (Nathan Drake) and the rest of his Uncharted crew, etc.). But IMHO, Square-Enix USA has had a horrible track record of Dubbing Talent in recent years:

Who can forget the horrific / annoying English Dub of Hope and Vanille and Final Fantasy XIII? I also though the English Dub voice of the Lalafell "Scientist" in Gridania's opening was horrendous, sorry.

On a side note, how do you feel about English Dubs if they decide to incorporate a "Southern Texas" accent? Or have a stereotypical Brooklyn Thug accent? Or an Irish accent?

Wouldn't those accents draw one out of the immediate world, and make one think of the Deep South, "Y'all come back now, ya' hear?!" or pull one into New York and Brooklyn of the 1930's "Howz uh' you all, uh' doin'?!?"

That's one area I dislike with some English Dubs I've heard where the English Localization Team decides it'd be "cute" to turn a character into someone from New Orleans, or Texas, or New York or Ireland.

Ultimately, though, I just hope we all get Language and Subtitle Options to Mix and Match as we please!