Poll: English vs Rest of the World: Do some games get worse/better with different audio

[BaronUberstein]

I've never understood listening to something in a language you can't understand, except maybe Opera. But then I'm listening to Opera because it sounds nice, while the audio in the game needs to convey information.

That being said, I tend to turn on subtitles even when the audio is in English.

 

[evilneko]

I like having the kids in Skyrim speaking Japanese. Language packs should be free DLC for all games.

 

[BlindTom]

This is an extremely good idea for a topic. I'm always pleased when there are alternative audio tracks because more choice is always better. That said I really only get anything out of the english track, and even then I have a tendency to turn it off/ skip through it in games with lots of dialogue.

Edit: Actually scratch that. Sometimes non english audio is the shit and I have enjoyed it immensely when subtitled. I'm thinking mainly about S.T.A.L.K.E.R and the first Mercenaries title.

 

[Andy Shandy]

I prefer English. I find I care more when I understand what they're saying, and subtitles sort of ruin that.

 

[Ljs1121]

It's nice to have the option to switch, but I don't really find myself caring about which language the dudes are speaking in. As long as there are subtitles that translate the game into English then I'm good.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

If I get the option, I always switch to Japanese audio. It just seems like the Japanese voice actors put something more into their performance. For more recent games though, the English voice acting isn't as bad as it used to be. Oblivion was far easier on the ears than Resident Evil for example.

 

[Uriain]

This does work well in conjunction with anime, as the same type of question can apply.

Like I was saying initially, I think games which COULD work with alternate voices, such as Soul Calibur, Dynasty warriors, Valkyria Chronicals, heck even more main stream action adventures like DmC or MGS 'could' be good with say Japanese audio as an extra option.

I like the idea posted earlier by evilneko about having optional different languages as a dlc (free obviously), so the player can choose.


I am also in the camp of disliking bad english dubs, and I find the games i mentioned above can sometimes have REALLY bad lines/conversation set pieces which seem like it was meant to be in a different language. Metro 2033 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R are another set of great examples for games being played in their "designed" language.

Follow up question - Do you think localization should play a larger role in the audio options a game presents you??

 

[teebeeohh]

native language, unless it feels weird like in MGS.
oh and metro and stalker in russian with subs.

 

[NiPah]

I'm not a big enough geek to want to listen to games in japanese , when i don't understand japanese . Not that i mind subtitles. For all i ( and most people ) know , the japanese voices could be terrible if you actually understood them .

Common misconception, it works off the assumption that context of spoken language is purely conveyed through the meaning of words. Sarcasm, hidden meaning, lies, these are all conveyed through settle volume, tone, and intonation variations and are nearly universal across the globe.

 

[Lieju]

Depends on the voice-acting and setting. I'm so used to the characters in Metal Gear Solid speaking English it would be weird on other language.
Generally my stance is to watch the thing on it's original language.
But if the game has a Japanese-language option I will likely choose it.

I do speak some Japanese, and I get to listen to and read English much more anyway.

Games other then this new Metal Gear game would be Dynasty warriors, SoulCalibur, DoA. These games to me, should be in Japanese as I find that it just fits better with the story, and frankly, even the way the voice actors yell/grunt/shout.

And it's just personal preference, but in games I prefer the grunts the characters make when kicking/jumping/being hit/etc when the language is Japanese.

 

[krazykidd]

I'm not a big enough geek to want to listen to games in japanese , when i don't understand japanese . Not that i mind subtitles. For all i ( and most people ) know , the japanese voices could be terrible if you actually understood them .

Common misconception, it works off the assumption that context of spoken language is purely conveyed through the meaning of words. Sarcasm, hidden meaning, lies, these are all conveyed through settle volume, tone, and intonation variations and are nearly universal across the globe.

Though that is true . Sure but you are assuming that the japanese version is perfect . There has been english games with bad english voice acting also . Thing is , the japanese voice acting could be terrible , and most people wouldn't notice . But it would " sound better" because it's in japanese when in reality it could be just as bad , and unless you actually understand the languange you couldn't know, in general of course.

 

[Uriain]

I'm not a big enough geek to want to listen to games in japanese , when i don't understand japanese . Not that i mind subtitles. For all i ( and most people ) know , the japanese voices could be terrible if you actually understood them .

Common misconception, it works off the assumption that context of spoken language is purely conveyed through the meaning of words. Sarcasm, hidden meaning, lies, these are all conveyed through settle volume, tone, and intonation variations and are nearly universal across the globe.

Though that is true . Sure but you are assuming that the japanese version is perfect . There has been english games with bad english voice acting also . Thing is , the japanese voice acting could be terrible , and most people wouldn't notice . But it would " sound better" because it's in japanese when in reality it could be just as bad , and unless you actually understand the languange you couldn't know, in general of course.

Very true. I dont speak Japanese, and understand very little of it, but the context and how it (from english subs) portray their dialog just seems to fit well (when that language is made for the game). It could be terrible though, but hey.. we played Bulletstorm and the Gears of War Franchise, so Dialog cant be that important

 

[King of Asgaard]

For VAs, I like to bring up the Yakuza series.
The entire cast is Japanese only, and it really adds to the experience because the game takes place in Japan. Plus, the voices fit the characters in a way that I don't think would translate well to English.
On the other hand, the Disgaea series benefits from the English VAs because they deliver the lines and the jokes with more emotion and good timing.

 

[PrimitiveJudge]

Does not matter to me IMO unless its a Japanese character with a British accent. Stop doing that.

 

[DementedSheep]

I don?t find English VO?s in non English games jarring unless they have a really out of place accent as well. I prefer having English VO?s rather than having to read subtitles, especially if they are telling you stuff in the middle of battle. Unless the English dub is terrible I use that.

 

[Yopaz]

I prefer English, but I don't have any strong feelings against any language in a game. As long as things get subtitles I am satisfied. That goes for English too.

 

[FalloutJack]

To borrow from Bruce Willis, I only speak two languages: English and Bad English. Subs be fine for anime shows at times, but not on my game if I have a chance to just HEAR IT and understand.

 

[NiPah]

snip

Common misconception, it works off the assumption that context of spoken language is purely conveyed through the meaning of words. Sarcasm, hidden meaning, lies, these are all conveyed through settle volume, tone, and intonation variations and are nearly universal across the globe.

Though that is true . Sure but you are assuming that the japanese version is perfect . There has been english games with bad english voice acting also . Thing is , the japanese voice acting could be terrible , and most people wouldn't notice . But it would " sound better" because it's in japanese when in reality it could be just as bad , and unless you actually understand the languange you couldn't know, in general of course.

Oh I was careful not to mention which one was better or perfect, it should all be judged on a case by case basis by the individual who is watching. You say the voice acting might be terrible but non-speaking viewers wouldn't be able to tell, I'm simply stating that you're wrong, it's quite obvious to non-speaking viewers that a certain voice actor is horrible, you don't have to know the language to know when someone isn't acting the part.

 

[KRAKENDIE]

Soul Calibur's voice acting is fine? What? The game is pretty campy, but it's a fighting game, they're all campy. Same as Metal Gear Solid.

Basically, if the character is Japanese or the whole game is in Japan, maybe there should be Japanese seiyu working as the voices. But a game like Metal Gear Solid features almost exclusively, caucasian Americans saying caucasian American things in or near caucasian America. Why would a Japanese voice-over make sense there? I think dubs allow for the point and tone of the characters to be delivered in the language better, you'd not getting that with English subs and Japanese voices. Odin Sphere is a good example of this, where both the Japanese and English dubs are excellent, but the English dubs make more sense because there are people named "Oswald" and "Odette" in it, and because they deliver the lines beautifully.

Having both accessible would be nice and the best, if not most costly option.