I saw this article a few days ago and could not stop thinking about it. Do gamers really care whether JRPG can be played in Japanese or English? Considering that we RPG gamers usually spend at least 40 hours on a game, would we rather hear it in our native language or in the language it was written in? It’s a tough question especially since the tone and sound of a character helps determine his/her likeability, which in turn affects the gamer’s perception of the plot.

 

To me, the best example of a bad voice dubbing is Final Fantasy X. Yuna and Tidus are the most annoying characters I had ever heard. Wakka, on the other hand, sounds glorious. In the end, regardless of how bad or how good the voice subbing is, I still love the game and the entire motley crew. To me, it all rests on the characters really.

 

Still, when it comes to female characters, I prefer English voice actresses. For some odd reason to me, Japanese girls are always soft spoken and a tad too gentle. When I first heard Hrist of Valkyrie Profile 2 in Japanese, I rolled my eyes, groaned, and switched over to English. Japanese dubbing will work fine for Yuna and Alicia and other young female protagonist, but when it comes to kick ass female protagonist, Japanese voice actresses can never do it for me. Yes, they can do a pissed off, shrill, angry character, but they can never sound badass and tough. I believe that it is all because of the Japanese upbringing; Japanese women are taught to speak softly, and if needed firmly, at all times. In fact, Japanese voice actresses are best at sounding kawaii and innocent.

For guys, it’s really a toss up. I don’t have a preference for either Japanese or English voice actors, but if a funny accent is needed, give me the English speaker please! Nobody can top Wakka’s awesome Jamaican accent. Given Square-Enix’s success with Wakka, I am excited to hear Sazh Kalzroy’s accent in the English version of FF13. But really, at the end of the day, I can live with either English or Japanese dubbing just as long as the developers throw in the damn subtitles!! (I'm partially deaf.) What about you all? Do you have any preference? Do share, do share.

Final Fantasy XIII screens on GamePro.com

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DrZeiss

If it's a JRPG, definitely Japanese voices with subtitles.
Other RPGs, it would depend on the setting or characters. It would be weird for me to play Mass Effect in Japanese (unless the whole cast are japanese/asian looking characters)
No preference about male or female voices though because from what I have heard, some female voices can be deep enough to sound male.

Xion_XIV_OrgXIII

It really depends on the game. With FF and KH, I like the english dubbings of it, save for a few characters. While most of the time I find the Japanese dubbings to be very well.

Mandifesto

For most games I prefer the oddities of English localization, while at the same time being frustrated at it. Honestly though, I would feel awkward playing a game with only subtitles for fear of losing half the dialog during combat. I would only do it if I spoke the original language fluently.

Swarley92

The guy that does Wakka's and Kimahri's voices also does Bender's voice from Futurama.

krentz

If the game was Made In Japan, then certainly wherever possible, original Japanese seiyuu with subtitles. Particularly as I'm also somewhat into anime, and most JRPGs have anime-esque thematic influences. Though, if I hear the dub first, sometimes I don't mind it. Interesting that you would use FFX as an example. It does have a certain contrast. While some are terrible, Wakka and Auron are done well IMO.

If it's western in origin, then English language all the way, of course. (I always get kicks out of listening to Baldur's Gate II in French and German dubs on YouTube...)

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