Siren: A Warning

[PeteJ]

I completely agree, I mean it must be far harder to dub something than sub it. Even if the sub isn't that great, a bad sub is far better than a bad dub.

I still believe Siren will be a great game even with a poor dubbing, but obviously the power of the atmosphere will be taken down a notch or three (just like it did with Fatal Frame).

[Brodie]

Possible bad news -

Got a reply from someone at Sony when i requested some code. Apparently it's going to be dubbed, and not subbed.

Wait and see I guess, but that's not promising...

[PeteJ]

Aye, MartTM has just confirmed the news

[Square]

I have to echo Pete's comments here ? this game is dripping with atmosphere. If you read through the First Look thread you'll see what many people have already said with regards to this.

I don't feel as though I have missed out on anything other than story (and by all accounts even the Japanese are baffled by that one), and the innovations in gameplay alone are worth the asking price.

This game plays like no other I have played before. Proper stealth gameplay; No soliton radar; having no way to defend yourself from the patrolling (and intelligent) shibito; the sense of achievement of working out a safe path through the lush Japanese landscapes; the sheer panic that grips you when you are spotted and the frantic search for a safe place to rest...

This game has given so much!

[Papercut]

I don't feel as though I have missed out on anything other than story (and by all accounts even the Japanese are baffled by that one), and the innovations in gameplay alone are worth the asking price.

Have you seen the European website? There seems to be a lot of exposition there, maybe it would help your understanding of the plot.

http://www.forbiddensiren.com/

For a promo site, I thought it was pretty good.

[Dache]

**** this, then. I'm getting the Japanese version.

Brodie, who did you email? Are they involved with the PAL release or something?

[Square]

I'd also like to add that not understanding the language only enhanced the feeling of helplessness and panic, although I might be in the minority here...

[Concept]

Well that's that one scratched off the list. Shame as I was quite looking forward to it as well but I am simply not prepared to play a version of the game that won't offer the experience the developer intended.

The problems with the dubbed version should be obvious but I simply cannot play a Japanese version that I cannot understand or get the full atmosphere from. Whilst an FAQ is a possibility, again, I think playing whilst referring to it wouldn't be the same.

I feel like a little piece of me has just died inside

Snap. My feelings exactly. I won't be picking it up now, or going anywhere near the English version. If I have to, I'll pick up the import copy, but like you say the atmosphere won't be fully there without being able to understand Japanese intimately.

In other words, both versions won't be able to offer the 'full' Siren experience for the native English speaker.

Well done SCEE. You've forced me out of PAL land for good with regards to the Playstation.

I've simply had enough.

[martTM]

I still believe Siren will be a great game even with a poor dubbing

What... even if it sounds like a Harry Potter movie?

'Oh no, I heard a terrible noise down there - what on earth could it be?'

[Concept]

Oh man... ft:

This sounds worse by the minute.

Tell me, if the reportedly awful English voiceovers affect the game's atmosphere, will you mark it down? After all this is a horror game, and surely atmosphere is part of keeping a person glued into what it's trying to achieve...

You hardly ever see magazines/websites mark any game down due to it having awful voiceovers. Sure, they may report the fact but you rarely see it change any final judgement. Personally, I view the voices in a game (that wants its audience to take it seriously) as open to valid criticism as the visuals, music, gameplay or longevity of a title.

Are you going to let Siren of the hook with regards to this at GamesTM, if the English voices deflate the atmosphere as awfully as what some have been suggesting?

[Tom Salter]

I dunno why people moan about it though, you should just be glad that they are releasing it over here, far too many games have stayed JPN only.

Buy it once for the atmosphere (jpn version) and once to get the plot (US version).

Arf, I'm so unpractical

[Vaipon]

Meh. I have my Japanese version. I'm more than happy with it. I thought Siren was the best game released in 2003, despite not being able to fully understand the plot. Like Square said, the language barrier actually serves to heighten the tension in some places, and the puzzles are a bit more challenging too. The atmosphere is what I rate about the game though, just like I did with the SH series... only Siren is so much better.

Just buy the Jap version and enjoy. **** SCEE and their lack of vision.

[PeteJ]

I shall email SCEE later and tell them what I think (in the nicest possible way, you understand). I don't expect them to do anything or even respond, but at least I can get it off my chest.

If people really wanted Siren but are now put of entirely, then this is completely unfair to the development team. I know it's SCEE's fault for screwing it up, however I honestly believe the quality of the game will shine through the poor voices. As I said in my review, it's the 'live' gameplay that is so effective, not really the setpieces ala Fatal Frame and Silent Hill, and unless they've changed the enemy noises (which WOULD kill the game entirely), then this'll still be a quality product.

On the other hand, if you are sure about not getting the PAL version but unsure about importing, then I highly recommend just jumping in with both feet and going for it. It is a lengthy and challenging game, however I do honestly believe the lack of understand of the language will not make a huge difference.

Please, as Vaipon says this is one of the finest games of 2003, to let it slip passed entirely would be a massive shame.

[Square]

I think they have changed the enemy voices. The police officer now says something along the lines of "it's no use... you can't escape..."

[Chadruharazzeb]

I'll still give it a go. Sheesh, I'm not going to totally write off a re-dubbed version of an apparently amazing game before I've even seen it.

Silent Hill games had abysmal voice acting and nobody said the atmosphere was ruined in those, although that was probably due to the fact that they were cutscene related and not in-game as PeteJ points out.