So you've mastered a variety of words to get your import RPG on. You've managed to attack some nefarious evil-doers; cast some magic to heal your party; perhaps you've even worn some new equipment. On top of all that, you were able to save your precious progress!
"Hey, I can do this! Easy peasy Japanesey!" I hear you say. Oh, young grasshopper -- you have much to learn. To be precise, you've another five new words to master. By nature, RPGs are undoubtedly the most text-heavy of all game genres. With its epic narrative detailing a world and its characters, and a menu screen chock full of words describing important stats and what-have-you, there are rarely moments in an RPG one does not look at text.
The challenge of an imported RPG of course comes from the fact that these thousands, if not millions, of words are in Japanese. BUT! Yes, there's a "but." For us as gamers, overcoming challenge is in our blood! And oftentimes, we are used to RPGs in English, so that even in Japanese, we sort of "get it," you know? Nevertheless, knowing what's what for sure always helps, and Items of Import is here for you once again to expand your Japanese RPG vocabulary.
"Hey, I can do this! Easy peasy Japanesey!" I hear you say. Oh, young grasshopper -- you have much to learn. To be precise, you've another five new words to master. By nature, RPGs are undoubtedly the most text-heavy of all game genres. With its epic narrative detailing a world and its characters, and a menu screen chock full of words describing important stats and what-have-you, there are rarely moments in an RPG one does not look at text.
The challenge of an imported RPG of course comes from the fact that these thousands, if not millions, of words are in Japanese. BUT! Yes, there's a "but." For us as gamers, overcoming challenge is in our blood! And oftentimes, we are used to RPGs in English, so that even in Japanese, we sort of "get it," you know? Nevertheless, knowing what's what for sure always helps, and Items of Import is here for you once again to expand your Japanese RPG vocabulary.
1. Defend
You're in a difficult battle -- in fact, you're about to lose it, but you just need a couple of rounds defending your party members to help them heal up. You just can't seem to figure out where that damn "defend" menu is, aargh!!
As you can see from the text image on the right, "defend" has two variations that differ from game to game. The top one and the middle word are one and the same. However, players are more likely to come across the hiragana variant in an RPG, especially on a handheld with a small screen. Also, depending on the demographic of an RPG title, the developers may opt for the more complex kanji version of "defend."
2. Flee
There are those times when you're engaged in the most furiously frustrating of fights, you simply need to run away. There's nothing more you can do. No special attack will suffice, and there's nothing in your mana pool to cast that devastating spell. The time comes, dear gamer, when you realize that the only thing left for you to do honorably is to simply walk away, grind awhile, and return.
As can be seen from the Japanese for "flee," nigeru, I have only written up the simple hiragana font for this word. Sure, there is of course a kanji script for it. But for reasons that can only be described as "tradition," RPGs in Japan have always stuck to the 8-bitty form of the word. So wary adventurers, look out for this word when troubled by death-defying monsters.
Items of Import is a fortnightly column dedicated to titles only out in Japan. With in-depth impressions of games long before localization and knowledgeable language how-tos, it attempts to bridge the gap between the import savvy and import fearing. Come on, now! You, too, can make that giant leap! Yokoso!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-04-2008 @ 4:40PM
Foodie_Monster said...
This is actually useful for some people that don't know any Japanese at all and want to get some of the gameplay done. However, I'd highly advice against playing an import RPG without *some* Japanese knowledge to at least be able to follow the plot and quest indications. One reason should be obvious: RPGs and their story lines are usually very closely intertwined, and I see little reason to miss out on such huge part of the experience - rather wait until it gets localized (if you are lucky and it gets localized that is). The second reason, not everything in an RPG is battling, and most things that need to be done with bringing quest items to certain spots, solving puzzles, leveling up your abilities, purchasing skills, understanding the deeper aspects of the game, etc., isn't something that can be learned in this, albeit useful, short lessons.
Just my two cents on the topic.
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9-04-2008 @ 11:46PM
aj said...
I've only ever played one Japanese RPG, and it was a unique experience. It was less about the game itself, and more about learning what does what through trial and error. While interesting in itself as a weird sort of puzzle, it was ultimately a thousand times less fulfilling than just playing a game in English, because the STORY is the thing.
I mean, it's kind of like listening to a Japanese book on tape while focusing on the "play", "stop", and "rewind" buttons. You get nothing out of it.
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9-07-2008 @ 8:19AM
tacoman said...
I just picked up Archaic Sealed Heat (ASH) for 200 yen(!!) this week, it's a hell of a game, and one of the most technically impressive on DS.
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