Oh those International games...

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

I bought Swap Magic awhile back and had it arrived at my house about... 3 days ago. Already owning 3 different imports (FFX International, KH Final Mix, and KH2 Final Mix +), I put FFX into the disc tray and loaded it. After a good while of playing (20 hours, maybe), I was a little flustered. FFX International had some great bonuses, but what peeved me was that all of these great games with extra content are Japanese. So many people are missing out on this extra content.

...Why can't America make a good international game just for rubbing it in Japan's face? Why does Japan get all of the good ****?

Consider this one of my few rant topics.

[Valkysas]

Re: Oh those International games...

american versions of games with international versions often already have content that the japanese version doesnt have. so they do an international version to give the japanese gamers that same content, and a little more.

a good example of this is the PSP game Armored Core: Formula Front. it was an AI trainer game in japan. When agetec brought it to the US, they added the ability to play the game like any other AC game. Then From Software released it again in japan with agetec's changes, along with a bunch more arena opponents.

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

Re: Oh those International games...

That may explain it. What angers me is that some really good games have bonus content that everyone would want. ...Like the extra challenge in FFX International (Dark Aeons and Penance)

[JLaCroix]

Re: Oh those International games...

Well we're lucky to get the games we do get.

Dragon Quest V and VI never came out here, so I ebayed them. It's hard to play through them.

I also imported FFIV, FFV, and FFVI because I prefer some of the minor things the Japanese versions had that ours didn't. (Although I cannot stand and completely detest FFIV, I had to buy it to complete my Final Fantasy collection).

[marcus]

Re: Oh those International games...

Actually most games that come to America are fixed from the original Japanese versions. Off the top of my head, I know that voice acting was added to Dragon Quest VIII and a severe gameplay bug was fixed in PoPoLoCrois. Generally speaking, American releases usually get a handful of extra content or the developers will fix balance issues or bugs. Very rarely do the Japanese get a rerelease of the games we get unless it's a reprint greatest hits title or one of Square's random International/Zodiac/Remix/Give-Us-Your-Money editions.

[JLaCroix]

Re: Oh those International games...

Actually most games that come to America are fixed from the original Japanese versions. Off the top of my head, I know that voice acting was added to Dragon Quest VIII and a severe gameplay bug was fixed in PoPoLoCrois. Generally speaking, American releases usually get a handful of extra content or the developers will fix balance issues or bugs. Very rarely do the Japanese get a rerelease of the games we get unless it's a reprint greatest hits title or one of Square's random International/Zodiac/Remix/Give-Us-Your-Money editions.

True. It's a mixed bag. We didn't get Dragon Quest V or VI, but we did get a very amazing port of Dragon Quest VIII. I think the USA version of Star Ocean 3 was better, but I'm no Star Ocean expert. However, from what I read both Final Fantasy IV and VIII were dumbed down (VIII was already easy enough though). Not only that, but Breath of Fire II had the worst English translation in history (in my opinion, I've not played every RPG), so we've been dealt some real stinkers.

I'm thankful for all the games we did receive and all the good translations we did get though.

[AbstractOrigin]

Re: Oh those International games...

Not only that, but Breath of Fire II had the worst English translation in history (in my opinion, I've not played every RPG), so we've been dealt some real stinkers.

I hear the GBA port of it had better translation.

[Valkysas]

Re: Oh those International games...

the GBA version has the same translation, the only difference is a few updated graphics (new portrait art).

[AbstractOrigin]

Re: Oh those International games...

Well that's just ass. =/

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: Oh those International games...

The only International game I cared about was Final Fantasy XII: Zodiac Job System or whatever. It kills me that they retooled the entire skill-learning grids to give people actual Job Classes instead of allowing you to basically make everybody everything. The game was far too easy that way.

And the addition of controllable extra party characters, like Larsa and the Mark Hunters, and the ability to control your Espers in battle, all make me angry that we didn't get that version.

[JLaCroix]

Re: Oh those International games...

The only International game I cared about was Final Fantasy XII: Zodiac Job System or whatever. It kills me that they retooled the entire skill-learning grids to give people actual Job Classes instead of allowing you to basically make everybody everything. The game was far too easy that way.

And the addition of controllable extra party characters, like Larsa and the Mark Hunters, and the ability to control your Espers in battle, all make me angry that we didn't get that version.

I wonder why we didn't get it?

I don't think I'd ever play through that game again, but I'd be tempted if that version came out here.

[Red Dragon]

Re: Oh those International games...

I agree with BRC.

However the sheer amount of walking would still be a nightmare.

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

Re: Oh those International games...

So basically... Square has practically mastered the art of making tantalizing International editions of their games.

[Valkysas]

Re: Oh those International games...

I don't know any japanese gamers that actually like the international versions of games. I know a few who wait at least 6 months to buy any squaresoft RPG in case a better version is announced later on. They don't want to blow their money on an inferior version of the game, and then have an enhanced version available later on that isnt even compatible with their existing save file.

[marcus]

Re: Oh those International games...

So basically... Square has practically mastered the art of making tantalizing International editions of their games.

Same with Konami. I think I'll even hold off getting MGS4 because I know by the end of the year Metal Gear Solid 4: Sustenance/Substinence/something-to-do-with-food will be coming out and include the ability to jack cars and a skateboarding mini-game or something.