Lost in Translation - How English Dubs Can Break the Experience

The Impact of a Bad English Dub: When Localization Ruins a Promising Title

One of the most exciting aspects of video games is the ability to experience new worlds, new stories, and unique gameplay mechanics.

What happens when a game that initially seems full of potential falls flat due to a poor English localization? As anyone who’s been disappointed by an awful dub can attest, even the most promising games can be destroyed by a lack of attention to detail in their localization. A prime example of this is Arc Rise Fantasia — an RPG for the Nintendo Wii that was initially brimming with promise, to me at least, only to falter due to a low quality English dub.

When Arc Rise Fantasia was first announced, it caught my attention with its intriguing battle system, stunning anime-inspired artwork, and an epic storyline featuring a world at war with dragon-like creatures known as Containment Dragons. The game’s character designs were handled by Kenichi Yoshida, famous for his work on Overman King Gainer and Eureka 7, which further fueled excitement. Arc Rise Fantasia promised a unique turn-based battle system, where both players and enemies would move and attack during the same phase — something that stood out in a sea of traditional RPGs. The addition of Rogress spirits, which players could summon, added another layer of appeal. At E3, it even won Best Wii RPG, which made fans (myself included) eagerly anticipate its North American release.

When the game finally hit shelves, it quickly became apparent that something had gone terribly wrong. The English dub, to put it simply, was abysmal. The voice acting was wooden, awkward, and jarring, leaving little room for immersion. For a game with such promise, the dub undermined everything. The characters, who were supposed to come across as relatable and engaging, felt hollow and stilted.

While the game’s gameplay mechanics and story could still have been interesting, the constant barrage of cringe-worthy delivery of dialogue was enough to ruin the experience. I tried to push through, hoping it would get better, but after barely an hour of gameplay, I found myself utterly turned off. The immersion had been completely shattered, and I couldn’t bring myself to continue playing. Ultimately, I sold the game shortly thereafter — something I rarely do[^1], especially when I’ve been so excited about a title.

This experience serves as a frustrating example of how a single element in a game’s localization, or from any other type of media, a badly executed English dub — can completely derail its potential. Arc Rise Fantasia was a title that seemed like it had everything: an engaging combat system, beautiful artwork, and an intriguing plot. But the dub was a dealbreaker. It’s a stark reminder that no matter how promising a game appears on paper, poor localization can destroy a title’s appeal in a heartbeat.

Why Localization Matters

Localization is often seen as the final step in bringing a game to an international audience, but its impact on the player experience cannot be overstated. A game may look beautiful, play well, and feature an intriguing story, but if the voices don’t match the characters or the dialogue doesn’t flow properly, it can create an experience that feels disjointed and off-putting. Voice acting, in particular, plays a huge role in how players connect with the characters and the world they inhabit. When done poorly, it can take players out of the experience entirely.

In the case of Arc Rise Fantasia, the English dub wasn’t just a minor issue— it was a complete immersion-breaker for me. A game that could have been a great RPG was reduced to a frustrating, unpleasant experience, all because the localization team failed to give the voice acting the attention it needed.

This isn’t a unique case either; many games and other media with great potential have fallen victim to similar issues with localization, whether it’s a bad dub, awkward translation, or incorrect cultural references.

The Larger Picture

Arc Rise Fantasia’s location serves as a cautionary reminder about the importance of localization and the impact it can have on a game’s success. For fans and developers alike, it’s a reminder that localization is more than just translating text. It’s about making sure that every aspect of the game, from the voice acting to the narrative flow, is given the care it deserves. A game can be visually stunning, innovative in its gameplay, and have a fantastic story, but if the localization is poorly executed, all that potential can be easily squandered.

At the end of the day, a poor dub isn’t just a minor flaw — it’s an issue that can completely undermine the entire experience. And in a world where we’re constantly exposed to new games, bad localization can be the difference between a game being remembered for its greatness or being forgotten as a missed opportunity.

If you’re curious, here’s a sample of the dub from a Let’s Play. Honestly, I think it would have been better if they’d just left the game undubbed.