Dub vs Undub

[yuyuhakuso]

many say undub is better, i agree, but sometimes i usually find okay with some dub, because like many games use english than japan, except in jrpg it's way better playing with undub since it feel like natural with some corny line, since we doesnt know what they're saying without read subtitle, but i find many example of great english voice in jrpg that close to original, like suikoden v, persona 4, persona 5, final fantasy (of course they always great) and rogue galaxy.

i also find that some games that develop in japan not have japan voice, like from software, and resident evil franchise, also koudelka. its quite phenomena

it still debatable now, what is better dub or undub, since nowday the english voice have really upgrade, while undub yeah still great.

, i think undub was better, sometimes english performance was just okay and i have memorable experience with path of radiance with mist and ike performance like its bad it funny

 

[Tsukishima Tsukishima]

Are undubs typically also repackaging the subtitles to be more authentic with the Japanese script? Because those would be my favourite kind of experience, but I am also a little smitten to the corniness of the English dubs of games, including Path of Radiance like you brought up. It's silly, barely fits the tone at times, but some deliveries really hit. I myself am very particular to the voice modulator and effects they used for the Black Knight's voice in PoR dub. Bad but funny dubs can actually serve as a way to keep the memories inside you longer then some games from my experience.

 

[Tony Horo]

Undubs are important for those who aren't native English speakers too. Think about it: if I'm not from US/UK, why would I want to play a Japanese game with audio in a language that's not the original nor the one I speak where I live?


But besides this, I must admit I enjoy some English dubs. I played Persona 4 with English audio and I kinda got used to it back in the day. I'm also playing Magna Carta 2 on 360 and even though the dub is kinda mediocre, I'm enjoying its silliness.

 

[Ilathariel]

Undubs are important for those who aren't native English speakers too. Think about it: if I'm not from US/UK, why would I want to play a Japanese game with audio in a language that's not the original nor the one I speak where I live?


But besides this, I must admit I enjoy some English dubs. I played Persona 4 with English audio and I kinda got used to it back in the day. I'm also playing Magna Carta 2 on 360 and even though the dub is kinda mediocre, I'm enjoying its silliness.

It really depends on the game and how it's recorder. Final Fantasy XVI is japanese, but the acting is rigged on is english, Expedition 33 started voice acting in french, but the motion capture was in english. It's a case by case, never a general rule

Also, why wouldn't I want to play a Japanese game with audio in a language that's not the original nor the one I speak where I live?

 

[Vexicrypt]

People look at me funny when I say that I play some JRPGs with English voices, but its just easier for me to follow the story that way. English is not my first language but with time I learned to understand it by ear pretty well, so again, it just works better for me. Also when I play undubbed games (or watch foreign movies in original languages) I get too focused on reading subtitles and the characters talking just keep interrupting my reading. So I usually play English versions first and then, if I care and really like the game, I'll replay it undubbed for getting the "authentic experience".

Its also cool to see differences between versions. Like in Raw Danger (aka Disaster Report 2), where US version made most characters blonde to appear more... -- idk, american? -- and the dub itself is amazingly funny. That kind of experience still has value and I think its nice to look at the same thing from different perspectives.

 

[Tony Horo]

Also, why wouldn't I want to play a Japanese game with audio in a language that's not the original nor the one I speak where I live?

Because if a game was made in Country X, dubbed in Country Y, and I live in Country Z (which doesn't speak the same language as Country Y), then any changes made to the original content in Country Y are essentially irrelevant to me.

I can't avoid reading a translated script if the game isn't available in my language, but the original creative intent is always more important.

I'm assuming you're a native English speaker. Imagine a Japanese game you love was localized into Spanish (both voice acting and text) in Spain, but never into English.

You have two options: play it with the original Japanese audio or with Spanish audio, which is neither your native language nor the game's original language.

Wouldn't your reaction be something like, "Why would I want to play the game in a language that's neither my own nor the original?"

That's exactly how non-native English speakers feel, especially fans of Japanese games, since they're the ones most often dealing with this situation.

 

[yuyuhakuso]

Undubs are important for those who aren't native English speakers too. Think about it: if I'm not from US/UK, why would I want to play a Japanese game with audio in a language that's not the original nor the one I speak where I live?

very true, in that case people will usually pick the languange they like the most

 

[CouchCactus]

Undubs are important for those who aren't native English speakers too. Think about it: if I'm not from US/UK, why would I want to play a Japanese game with audio in a language that's not the original nor the one I speak where I live?


But besides this, I must admit I enjoy some English dubs. I played Persona 4 with English audio and I kinda got used to it back in the day. I'm also playing Magna Carta 2 on 360 and even though the dub is kinda mediocre, I'm enjoying its silliness.

I'd go as far to say that all Persona games (and by extension SMT games) are genuinely enjoyable in English. Of course, you'll get the occasional screw-up every now and then like 'Mean-girl Yukari' and 'Sexual-predator Teddie', but other than a few bad localizations, it's a fun experience.

 

[yuyuhakuso]

Its also cool to see differences between versions. Like in Raw Danger (aka Disaster Report 2), where US version made most characters blonde to appear more... -- idk, american? -- and the dub itself is amazingly funny. That kind of experience still has value and I think its nice to look at the same thing from different perspectives.

i'm remember one games at ps2 that have really bad english voice but it so bad, that feel it intention to be bad, and funny i found the clip in ig with almost one hundred like name "robot alchemi drive"

 

[Kobu]

Depends on the game. Some Examples:

MGS I will never play in Japanese. It sounds too weird. To me.

Mega Man X8 and Command Mission I remember not if they have a JP option, but I love Mark Gatha and Lucas Gilbertson's performances so much I need to hear it every playthrough.

Breath of The Wild / Tears Of The Kingdom I set to JP or Latin American Spanish. I just don't like the US dub. Zelda in particular sounds terrible.