Voice overs

[UltimaCJ]

Shame there's no voice overs in this game (other than sound samples of winning a fight). The characters are all nice and special. It's a shame a gem like this should have voice overs.

Prob the only reason I'd not give it a 5/5 because how well the storyline is done.

[UltimaCJ]

Why not just have this already enabled or an option in the game options? I'm almost done with the game now...kinda moot point now. Bummer not Japan and American but prob for budget reasons. Thanks though. Hopefully the second game in the series, when I try it has the option.

[Omoikane]

Originally posted by UltimaCJ:

Why not just have this already enabled or an option in the game options? I'm almost done with the game now...kinda moot point now. Bummer not Japan and American but prob for budget reasons. Thanks though. Hopefully the second game in the series, when I try it has the option.

Chances are it is a licensing issue. XSeed doesn't have the rights to the Vita version. Mainly due to the voicing I should think. As with many of XSeed's Falcom releases, they aren't able to get voice work.

The mod is pieced from the special Evo version that was released on the Vita much later than the Steam version. As well as some clever coding by fans.

If you google a bit you can grab the bits needed to set up the voices for SC and 3rd.
I'm currently playing SC with the voice patch.

[Gabby]

This is a game from well over a decade ago and predates voice acting as a standard in games. EVO is a Vita remake done by a party outside Falcom and there’s really not a snowball’s chance in hell that the company that made it is ever going to share any rights to it.

Hence why we’re simply never getting it outside some really creative modding. FC, SC, and The Third all lack VA outside of battle sounds.

Trails of Cold Steel onward though, you’ll find VA.

[UltimaCJ]

So that's a 'mod' not part of the actual game, okay that would make sense then why VA isn't an option. It's still ODD that you hear victory battle sounds and such but not do voice over, even if it was "predated".

So basically the 3rd party (Not Falcom) wants more money. Tis a shame, still Falcom/XSeed could easily just new talented actors for a special edition (other than this EVO version - don't own a Vita so this my first wind of this). I've seen companies do that with many titles. Still a fantastic story told.

I look forward to the 2nd game soon as I play / finish this. Just hope the story is just as passionate as it was in this one.

I certainly don't want Estelle coming after me!

[Gabby]

Originally posted by UltimaCJ:

So that's a 'mod' not part of the actual game, okay that would make sense then why VA isn't an option. It's still ODD that you hear victory battle sounds and such but not do voice over, even if it was "predated".

It’s really not. Plenty of older JRPGs used battle sounds but no true VA. The sheer disc space that takes up was unreasonable for that era of gaming.

So basically the 3rd party (Not Falcom) wants more money. Tis a shame, still Falcom/XSeed could easily just new talented actors for a special edition (other than this EVO version - don't own a Vita so this my first wind of this). I've seen companies do that with many titles. Still a fantastic story told.

I’m not entirely sure how much you think voice acting costs but it’s never a simple matter even today. And violating asset rights in Japan is a good way to blackball your company into the ground.

I look forward to the 2nd game soon as I play / finish this. Just hope the story is just as passionate as it was in this one.

I certainly don't want Estelle coming after me!

I think in this case you will be very pleased. FC and SC are highly praised on this. The Third is a different take but also quite good. In fact it’s Sara’s favorite of the three.

[UltimaCJ]

Well that's when you make new assets. But if the game's popularity isn't as highly praised (or any game for that matter) remakes, especailly with voice overs doesn't happen very often (cost/profit reasons -- FFIV for the DS was one of the few off the top of my head that got a remake WITH VA). I don't go based off full reviews whether it's a developer, professional, or personal opinion. I don't know who this "Sara" is, developer, or reviewer. But as I stated earlier, I'm very new to the series, first time playing it.

And yeah adding an actual option to hear those voices would be a violation, especially if there wasn't an agreement from the 3rd party itself.

If it's anything like the first, should be "Good to Go"

[Gabby]

I feel the need to repeat myself. Creating new assets to get around voice acting rights in Japan is an excellent way to go out of business due to no one wanting to work with you ever again.

You make it sound simple but in reality that’s impossible. It’s how things work over there. Such behavior is considered a dirty business practice. :/

Sara is the programmer behind this edition of the game.

[Histidine]

Wait, if Xseed were to hire new VAs for a Western version of a game they'd get boycotted by the Japanese VA and/or gamedev industry? That sounds like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ textbook instance of a cartel. [insert ragey emojis here]

[Gabby]

Originally posted by Histidine:

Wait, if Xseed were to hire new VAs for a Western version of a game they'd get boycotted by the Japanese VA and/or gamedev industry? That sounds like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ textbook instance of a cartel. [insert ragey emojis here]

No, that’s vastly misreading my words. They can’t even use the Japanese assets or the game code they contains those voice prompts. Falcom doing anything here would screw them and paying XSEED to do it would screw them both royally.

[UltimaCJ]

Originally posted by Seraphna:

I feel the need to repeat myself. Creating new assets to get around voice acting rights in Japan is an excellent way to go out of business due to no one wanting to work with you ever again.

You make it sound simple but in reality that’s impossible. It’s how things work over there. Such behavior is considered a dirty business practice. :/

Sara is the programmer behind this edition of the game.

If it's an ACTUAL violation of terms of agreement of the contract then yes, no need to repeat yourself. Many games have done work arounds which was perfectally legal because it wasn't stated in their original contract. (I agree on dirty practice, I'd likely would not work with the actors again if they're gonna be that snooty about it) I didn't reach much, but Japan has strict laws when it comes to certain things, especailly in the video game world - which is why here in NA, or even the UK you'll never seen certain gems make their way here unless a fan base translates it itself. It's a shame really, makes me feel they don't want to share their passion for stories and games as much.
Sara is one of the programmers, learn something new today.


But getting back on topic here, as i said it's just a shame it didn't have this feature (red tape or not). There are many "TLDR" moments the game had. I'm glad i'm old school and read the text rather than just keep hitting the A button lol. If i had to poke at anything, it maybe its encounter system with foes but that's about it.

[jonathanpayne1005]

It really is a shame that the English release was not able to officially include the voice acting or include new voice acting but at least we have the mods. I do however feel a bit bad that I am not able to actaully support the quality voice work that went into the Vita version. Speaking of that, does anyone know how voice actors get paid in Japan? Like do they get paid in royalties or are they just paid a set amount for how many hours they record?

[Omoikane]

The XSeed community, Sara in particular, seems to be quite okay with the mods that are put out to add in things that they couldn't licence like the ♥♥♥ voices for Zwei and Cold Steel.
I like to believe that it is their way of compromising with the fans.

[Gabby]

Yeah, it’s more of a “we’re cool so long as you don’t put us in a position where we have to do something”. So mod all you want, just don’t link to them here.

[UltimaCJ]

Well most developers (and companies) don't mind if you do mods it shows passion and love for the product (as long as you're making money).

Steam is a bit picky when it comes posting links, so posting mods are hit and miss.

[jonathanpayne1005]

It's good to hear that they are rather open minded about such things, although I do wonder what Falcom's feelings on mods are. Poeple put a lot of effort into mods so it's always disapointing when companies try to take down mods. I do understand why some companies are not a big fan of their games be modded though.