Final Fantasy IV Translation Comparison: Baron 3

No Comments

Peeping Cid

Now that Cid has joined the party, let’s check out his stats and stuff!

He is SUCH a weird-looking dude. I think he must have dwarf genes or somethingHe is SUCH a weird-looking dude. I think he must have dwarf genes or somethingHe is SUCH a weird-looking dude. I think he must have dwarf genes or something

It looks like his stats are all the same, except for the fact that he starts with a higher attack accuracy rate in the Easy Type release. This is actually due to a change in his equipment’s stats, though, not due to any changes to Cid himself. This same thing happened with Edward earlier in the game, if you recall.

I got accepted into the most prestigious enginring school in the country!I got accepted into the most prestigious enginring school in the country!

Incidentally, in Japanese, his job name is something like “technician” or “engineer”. In the original English release, he’s called “Chief”, I’m assuming because “Engineer” was too long and would look really strange if you tried to shorten it. In fact, the PlayStation translation does just that – it calls him an “Enginr”. Later translations fit the entire word in, though.

Have your peeps call my peepsHave your peeps call my peeps

Cid has a special ability in battle that lets him check enemy stats and weaknesses. In Japanese, this skill is called something like “Check”, “Inspect”, or “Investigate”. This was translated as “Peep” in the English release. Later translations call it “Study”.

So Brave

'rippa' is actually a really tough word to translate, it's like a dozen different English words all wrapped into one. But it's a very good thing to be!'rippa' is actually a really tough word to translate, it's like a dozen different English words all wrapped into one. But it's a very good thing to be!

An old man in the city of Baron has a slightly different line:

Japanese Version (basic translation)English Version
YOU were that Dark Knight?! You’ve become so dignified!I am glad to see you are so brave and right!

His mention of the Dark Knight and his own sense of surprise are missing from the English translation.

An Empty Throne

Ness's dog was replaced by a monster?! When did this happen?!Ness's dog was replaced by a monster?! When did this happen?!

The lady walking around in Baron is worried about what will happen now that the king is gone.

Japanese Version (basic translation)English Version
Apparently a monster had taken the king’s place. The king hasn’t left any successors, though…King was being replaced by a monster? Who will be our next king?

The English translation has weird grammar issues and changes the hearsay into a question. It also rephrases her final observation into a question, which actually isn’t that bad at all in this case. I guess this is why I never even thought about the king’s successorship when I first played this back in the day.

Early on in the Japanese version of the game, Cecil remarked that the king raised him like his own son, although this was written out of the English translation. So when he becomes the king at the end of the game it’s actually a perfect fit – he not only saved the world and all, but he always had that close connection with the original king anyway.

Senior Citizen Cid

STOP TAKING SO MUCH CARE! SAVE SOME FOR THE REST OF US!STOP TAKING SO MUCH CARE! SAVE SOME FOR THE REST OF US!

Cid’s daughter has something to say to her father:

Japanese Version (basic translation)English Version
Dad!Take care, dad!
You’re not young anymore, so don’t go pushing yourself too hard!
Please take care of my father, everyone.Everyone, please take good care of him.

This is mostly okay, but there are a few nitpicks:

  • The English translation should capitalize “Dad”. It’s so strange, because normally the English translators loved to capitalize everything more often than necessary.
  • Her line about Cid’s age is completely missing. It also kind of changes the context of the original line, in which she knows her dad is a workaholic and can’t trust him to show restraint.

An Admirer

Cecil-sama you look so NEETCecil-sama you look so NEET

The little girl in the Baron inn is glad to see Cecil.

Japanese Version (basic translation)English Version
Oh, you’re actually that guy from before!Cecil!?
I think the way you look now suits you better.You look neat this way!

In the English version, she apparently knows Cecil by name. In the Japanese version, she only recognizes him as some guy from before. She also more clearly compares his new look with his old look in the Japanese version.

Also, she talks with a decidedly feminine speech pattern in Japanese.

Refreshing Times

I would like some refreshments. Some Crystal Pepsi and Bigfoot Pizza, please.I would like some refreshments. Some Crystal Pepsi and Bigfoot Pizza, please.

The bartender is a lot happier now that all the recent craziness is over.

Japanese Version (basic translation)English Version
Want a drink, Mr. Cecil?Have a refreshment?
On the house, of course!It’s on me!
Relax and take it easy!

It’s interesting that the translators went with “refreshment” again – the original line had no specific alcoholic reference at all. It’s literally, “Would you like a drink?” or “Will you drink?”

The English translation is also missing the friendly line about relaxing, as well as the guy knowing Cecil by name.

Actually, now that I think about it, this bartender never called Cecil by name until now – he only called him “Sir Dark Knight” before.

No Comments