English or Russian?

[Sart]

What language should I choose for better immersion? I know both languages so I should probably choose Russian considering the setting, but I'm worried about quality. Usually Russian localization sucks. What about this game?

[Kato]

I don't speak nor understand any Russian whatsoever. With that being said, I chose Russian for the authenticity and it sounds good to my non-Russian ears. Can't say anything about English though.

[CrumbleCat]

Russian, because I cant stand Mr Oxford english. Why does Igor ASfdklszymuk sound he like he enjoys some fish and chips with every meal? Even his profile pic doesn't fit the english voice.

[Sart]

Thanks guys. I'll choose Russian then.

[Liam]

Russian because English Igor sounds like a massive Tory

[Hazard]

Russian 1000%

[Hazard]

Originally posted by MasterCrumble:

Russian, because I cant stand Mr Oxford english. Why does Igor ASfdklszymuk sound he like he enjoys some fish and chips with every meal? Even his profile pic doesn't fit the english voice.

I loaded game played 40 seconds then changed to russian cos it makes no sense lol

[Momo]

Started with russian but I found it kinda... meh... I mean, it sounded right but at the same time I didn't like it that much.

So I just switched to english, and even tho the accent is a bit too much "UK-ish" it's good enough, and I can understand everything without focusing on the subtitles.

[Hazard]

Originally posted by Momo:

Started with russian but I found it kinda... meh... I mean, it sounded right but at the same time I didn't like it that much.

So I just switched to english, and even tho the accent is a bit too much "UK-ish" it's good enough, and I can understand everything without focusing on the subtitles.

Fair i find more immerive tho , each to their own

[BIGASH]

I was very disappointed when I changed to English and they didn't have Russian accents :( The current oxford English just doesn't fit with the game.

[Laicus]

In English dubbing, many voices sound better - they are more pleasant and have more natural intonations. I was especially upset by Tatiana's voice-over, when she starts talking like a witch, in English she has a really creepy voice, but in Russian it is not expressive and not frightening. I play in English and I don't care about authenticity, the main thing is that the English dubbing is done at a higher level, thanks to more talented actors.

[MTL5]

Originally posted by MasterCrumble:

Why does Igor ASfdklszymuk sound he like he enjoys some fish and chips with every meal?

Because he's from the UK. Why do you think Mikhail calls him "James Bond" and mocks him about drinking Darjeeling tea and stuff like that? Igor is literally the worst example people use for this topic because the entire point of his character is that he's very British. So British that other characters actively comment on his Britishness. Even the Black Stalker is constantly telling Igor to go back to the UK.

As for the OP's question, the quality of the English voice acting is higher than the Russian acting. If you understand Russian you are going to immediately notice problems with the general quality of that dub because while I'm sure the actors did their best it was an afterthought aimed at people who don't speak the language. Who just want rugged sounding gibberish, basically. It's an aesthetic addition.

[疯狂草泥马]

i am choosing Russian, thats the orginal for the game.

[MTL5]

Originally posted by 6岁会抬头:

i am choosing Russian, thats the orginal for the game.

English is the original. Russian is the "dub", essentially. Either choice is valid in its own way, but you may as well play Half-Life 2 in Russian. It's not like the game was written in Russian. It was written in Polish and English (there's a reason all the ingame documents are in English), and then localized into Russian for people who can't speak Russian but want the aesthetic.

[CrumbleCat]

MTL5, I am aware of that, but I find it a hard sell that he would sound THAT british. How old is our Igor? 40-50? Did he live in slavland till he's 18 or more, then moved to England? I can't believe someone would get such a heavy british accent, without a hint of his past.

Maybe I just need better characterization. >_> Plus, he's supposed to be a nerdy egghead, but his picture looks all edgy, and his russian voice is incredibly deep and rough. And the mix of that british voice, and that pic of him, doesn't make sense at all to me either. I wish it was done a little better.

[Bandy]

Think I read elsewhere one of the characters is Canadian? Correct me if wrong, I haven't gotten around to D/L and playing yet, real life getting in the way...