Beating the odds, or at least the ones we set while surveying the import version, Namco's RPG Tales of Eternia has been confirmed for release in the United States later this year, under the new title. Our fondness for the game in its original form gave rise to a few questions concerning the game's localization, and so we decided to ask them of Aki Kozu, the localization producer working on the game at publisher Hometek.
A remake version of Tales of Destiny was later released for the PlayStation 2, followed by an additional Director's Cut version, which was released on the same system. The game has a sequel, Tales of Destiny 2, which takes place in the same world, 18 years after the events of Tales of Destiny. For Tales of Destiny 2 on the PlayStation 2, GameFAQs has 12 FAQs (game guides and walkthroughs).
Read on, then, and learn a little more about translation niceties and Linear Motion Battle.IGN: What games have you worked on before?AK: MotoGP, Point Blank 3, The Bouncer, Threads of Fate, Bushido Blade 2, Chocobo's Dungeon 2.IGN: is the American title for Tales of Eternia, which is the third game in the Tales series as released in Japan. Could you tell us a little about what makes the series unique, and what makes Eternia from the previous Tales games?AK: What makes the Tales series so unique is that the game incorporates most elements of traditional game console RPGs, such as linear storyline, mini-games, a massive world map, and towns & dungeons, but it also utilizes a real-time linear motion battle system that is very unique to the RPG genre. In TOD2, the battle system itself plays very similar to your standard 2-D fighting games - You can kick, punch, cast magic, and combine all the moves to perform multiple-hit combos. You can also have up to 3 additional party members assist you in combat as NPCs or connect a multi-tap for 4-player cooperative play.
Because there are so many kinds of moves and spells, there are literally infinite number of combos that a player can perform.IGN: Was there any special reason for the name change, or did you just want to create more continuity with the game you'd already released? We kind of like 'Eternia' better.AK: The first title in its series that was released in the States was 'Tales of Destiny'. Lunacraft all mobs 2017. Continuity in the title was definitely a major factor in our decision to go with the title 'Tales of Destiny 2'.IGN: Why did Namco choose to localize Tales of Eternia, after passing on the PlayStation version of Tales of Phantasia?
Most fans of the series consider Phantasia better than Destiny.AK: Timing and market demand were two of the major reasons why TOP was not localized. The team responsible for the Tales series was already in the midst of developing TOE, and could not provide support for a localization effort. We also felt at the time that TOE was going to be a much better game than TOP and had a better chance of succeeding in the US market. So, we decided to focus our localization efforts on TOE.IGN: How is Namco going to handle the game's voice clips this time? Will they be replaced with English, left in Japanese and subtitled, or just removed as in Destiny?AK: Our main goal is to localize as much of the original Japanese voiceovers as possible.
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For TOD2, we felt that it was especially important to localize the voices from Japanese to English because character voices play a major role in character development.IGN: In regards to philosophy in translation, what do you feel about the balance between readability for an American audience and faithfulness to the original Japanese script? Do you believe that one should give way to the other, or that there's a relatively safe middle path?AK: It would really depend on the game.
For TOD2, we believe it's our job to stay faithful to the original Japanese script as much as possible. Fortunately, we have very talented writers in Japan that put in years of work into one original script. That's something we respect, and we certainly see it reflected in the originality and quality of their final written script, and we try our best to retain the same quality in the English translation. There will be some subtle differences in characterization, but otherwise, what we would like to do is deliver the same RPG experience to the American audience.IGN: On a related note, have you seen any RPG translations that you've found particularly impressive, past or present?AK: It's not really an RPG, but Vagrant Story is hands down the best translated work that I've seen. There are very few localized games in the market that actually live up to the quality of the original Japanese, but Vagrant Story matched or surpassed the Japanese version.
Xenogears and Chrono Cross are a close second.IGN: What do you think about the chances of a game like this succeeding so late in the PlayStation's lifespan? Do you think the RPG fanbase will follow a game on PS one?AK: I think RPG fans are very unique. Although the hardcore RPG fanbase is smaller than the other genres, they are in better touch with the products that are out in the market and are generally more loyal to the genre than they are to the platform. They read the reviews and know exactly what they want. I don't think it really matters for which platform the game is released. As long as it's a quality product, there will always be a market for RPGs, regardless of whether it's on PS one or PS2.IGN: Does Namco plan to localize any more major RPGs in the next year or so, for PlayStation or PlayStation 2?
We know of a few we're interested in.AK: Like what? What are you interested in? Namco RPG fans should write to us and let us know what they want. We have no immediate plans of localizing RPGs, but we are aware that there is a growing fanbase for quality RPG titles. We do like some of the Namco RPGs that are currently in the works, so we'll certainly look to localizing and releasing these titles that will have an impact in the U.S.
Most overlooked games in the franchise, please bring them on PC! ^^I'm talking about PS2 games, that were not translated into english officialy on PS2.I've finished them on emulator (using translation script guide to get all the story) but i would be REALLY HAPPY to purchase them on Steam, with official english localization! ^^For those who have not played these two games, Tales of Destiny 2 is about Evil Religion, Meaning of Happiness through Loss and about travel through time, but only when story allows to (Like in Tales of Phantasia) I'ts my favorite Tales on PS2, and i really cried at ending.Tales of Rebirth is awesome one too. It has story about racism between Humas and Gajumas. Gajumas are beast-like people. Some look like dogs, some like cats, some like goats or even bats! (Yay for Furry!) While Humas are.
Human-like people.Point of this game is about how both races should live in harmony, while some villains use racism to do bad stuff. There are some half-breeds, who are hated by both Humas and Gajumas.These games are amazing! I'm really sad that they are not came out in english, because they are one of best gams in franchise!P.S. Bu the way, Tales of Destiny 2 is the REAL Tales of Destiny 2, not Tales of Destiny II (Written with greek numbers) that is actually Tales of Eternia.
And real Tales of Destiny has best minor villain in the franchise - Barbatos Goetia! NO ITEMS EVER!!!!