Have you ever wondered what the localization is like for certain games in other countries? For instance, have you ever wondered what the voice acting would be like in Legend of Zelda? Well, there's a video giving you an opportunity to hear how Breath of the Wild sounds in multiple languages.
The video was compiled by YouTube user GeekSplash and it's six minutes of comparisons from the different localized versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The video starts with an older woman explaining the history of Hyrule and Ganon in English. However, we also hear it in Latin, Italian, French, Japanese, German, Russian and Spanish. The Italian and Russian version sounds extremely well done. It's hard to decide which is better between the Italian, Russian and Japanese versions.
The video continues on, focusing on the next segment where the tree talks to Link. We hear it in all of the aforementioned voiceovers as before. The French and Russian versions in that segment stand out the most... especially the French version, which fits in so perfectly with the imagery onscreen.
They then move on to the short clip featuring Zelda saying a line. It's interesting because the German version of Breath of the Wild actually sounds the best in that particular scene.
In the scene with Zelda crying, falling into the arms of Link, the Italian and Spanish versions sound especially authentic and natural and fit with the animations depicted of Zelda almost perfectly. It's funny, because the different regions depict different qualities that really stand out depending on what was on-screen and what was being said.
For instance, the ending sequence where Zelda tells Link to "Open your eyes;" the French version has a lot of restrained subtlety that almost sounds like a whisper. The Latin and Japanese versions are also done really, really well in that sequence.
It's interesting that in different scenes under different situations, the voice acting and how it conveys that scenes changes drastically depending on the region. Some scenes have more impact when you hear the Latin version. Other times the Italian version almost sounds completely organic to the game and a particular scene. The Japanese version of Breath of the Wild seems to contain the most authenticity to how the characters are meant to be depicted, and the French version has its own quality and charms that seems to stand out from the rest.
The comment section is full of robust commentary about the different languages and how they convey the characters and scenarios in each region for Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It's hard to say which one comes out on top. A lot of people really like the Latin version of how Zelda is depicted. Others felt the Russian version was too brash and rough, while others actually liked that element. Many generally agreed the Japanese version was the best.
I thought the softer elements of the French expression fit perfectly with the equally soft aesthetic that Aonuma went for with Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It almost makes me tempted to want to play the French version of the game. Even still, it's fascinating to see how people reacted to the different languages and equally cool to see how each one measured up against the others.
You can look to play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild when it launches on March 3 for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch.
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