Summary
It’s no secret that most JRPGs are as dialogue-heavy as they come, which is why localization is such an important topic when it comes to these games. Without a great script, players will be forced to listen to hours of boring conversations that don’t have the impact they should’ve.
Conversely, JRPGs that invest a lot in localizing their script will help their story beats appeal to international audiences. Given how localization issues are prevalent in this genre, it’s easy to see why fans remember the few JRPGs with great dialogue and scripts that elevate the experience.
Persona 5 Royalisone of the greatest modern JRPGsof all time that arguably sparked the modern revival of the genre. Players loved controlling a group of students who moonlighted as the Phantom Thieves, using their mysterious powers to change the hearts of villainous men all across Japan.
The script of the original game was great but had room for improvement that was explored in theRoyaledition. Fans were treated to one of the best English scripts seen in a JRPG, ensuring that players form a strong bond with their companions as they tackle numerous threats and challenges together.
Final Fantasy 12was a huge departure from the traditional gameplay followed by the other single-player titles in the genre. This game used a lot of what it learned fromFinal Fantasy 11to develop a unique gameplay loop, but what fans remember the most from this title is an amazing story that is brought to life with incredible voice acting.
The script feels authentic to the game’s medieval fantasy setting, with the voice actors adding a ton of personality to each dialogue that helps their characters stand out. Regardless of what fans personally feel aboutFinal Fantasy 12, there’s no denying that the script is in a class of its own and arguably the best localization of all time for aFinal Fantasygame.
There are many reasons whyDragon Quest 11finally broke into the Western market after struggling to make an impression outside of Japan. Sure, the excellent gameplay and beautiful world aided these efforts, but what sold the experience in the eyes of many was the charm of this game’s script.
It captured whatDragon Questwas all about — a group of ragtag adventures slowly growing to trust each other as they save the world from a malignant presence. Players having second thoughts about getting into a series with so much history will become fans in no time after being enraptured by the excellent script ofDragon Quest 11.
The Legend of Heroesis a series known for its amazing worldbuilding, with every single NPC getting a ton of love and care as they react to the many events happening in the world. It goes a long way in making events believable, but there’s no denying that localization costs will reach major heights if they have to translate these dialogue-heavy JRPGs.
However, despite a lengthy wait for a translation,The Legend of Heroes: Trails of the Skyblew fan expectations out of the water with how detailed the localization was. The sheer amount of effort put into the dialogue for everyonefrom the main charactersto the NPCs makes it clear why fans still consider this title to be the best game the series has to offer.
Vagrant Storyis a unique JRPG whereplayers control a single characterand target various body parts of an enemy to deal tactical damage. Fans of Parasite Eve will be right at home with this battle system, and it helps that Vagrant Story boasts one of the best scripts in a PS1 JRPG.
The localization did a great job of doing justice to the medieval fantasy setting, adding a ton of character to this underrated title. The narrative ofVagrant Storyis one of its strongest aspects, and it wouldn’t have hit as hard had it not been for an amazing English translation.
TheYakuzaseries is known for its localization team that takes some leeway with the script to make dialogue sound more natural. This makes every game in the series stand out, with the dialogue making both dramatic and comedic moments stand out.
This extendstoYakuza: Like a Dragontoo, with this JRPG boasting an amazing script that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. While the game is known for its lengthy conversations, fans don’t mind giving this a pass as long as it builds up to the game’s many highs.
2Final Fantasy 10
The First Final Fantasy Game With Voice Acting Knocks It Out Of The Park
The firstFinal Fantasygame to feature voice acting did so with great aplomb. The voice acting of this series coupled with an amazing script ensures thatFinal Fantasy 10’s emotional highs resonate with players, who will find it easier to form a bond with these characters.
The love story that blossoms between Tidus and Yuna is a joy to experience and feels all the more believable because of the localization. Switching the dialogue so that Tidus says “I love you” instead of “Thank you” before heading to the Farplane is one of the many smart decisions made in the English translation tohelpFinal Fantasy 10stand out as one of the best games in the series.
Persona 4takes place in the small town of Inaba, where players must solve a serial killing after acquiring the ability to battle shadows in the TV World. This intimate setting coupled with the quality of the English translation ensures that players will be invested in the story in no time.
Saving victims and exploring dungeons that target their deepest insecurities aids the character development of every new party member. These strong introductions make it clear why the main castofPersona 4is considered by many to be the best in the series.
