Fire Emblem Engage was released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on January 20, marking
the fourteenth mainline entry in the highly successful Fire Emblem franchise.
With it being such a popular series, fans were especially curious to compare the English
release with the version released in its home country of Japan.
And it didn't take long before reports appeared of many alterations being made to the game's
lengthy dialogue sequences.
As is typical for RPGs, a big part of the game is its story and cast of characters.
Furthermore, the series is known for its "support" system, which allows you to get to know the
cast of characters better—with this often featuring romantic elements.
The media has reported on one of the changes made to Engage outside of Japan—this being
that any of the supports involving characters under the age of eighteen has had any suggestion
of romance replaced with something else.
However, the English translation has, in fact, made many other alterations to the game.
Important to note is that the game has been given a Teen rating by North America's ESRB
and comparable classifications in other western regions, which means it isn't due to rating-related
reasons.
The game's TV Tropes page speaks about the changes, with it stating that various scenes
have toned down or removed romantic and suggestive elements regardless of the ages of the characters,
as well as content that could be seen as divisive.
With how extremely text heavy the game is, a full comparison is unfortunately not possible
for today's video.
However, fan comparisons can be found across the web of a lot of affected scenes.
This video will be reporting on some of the alterations that have been spotted by the
Twitter users Mondblut and zakogdo, who have also provided translations with their posts.
And there will be links to their posts in the description, alongside links to the YouTube
channel Collector Togami for full videos of some of the English clips used in this video.
The edits in question affect the 22-year-old Yunaka, the 19-year-old Goldmary, and the
22-year-old Louis.
A support between Yunaka and Goldmary see the pair having a conversation while Goldmary
is doing the laundry.
Here's a clip from the English version of
the scene.
So, outside of Japan, Goldmary is a big fan of doing the laundry, and when Yunaka says
she doesn't want to join her, Goldmary asks if Yunaka has something hidden among her unmentionables
that she doesn't want to be seen.
Over in Japan, though, the scene is less about doing the laundry and more about being perceived
as attractive.
In Japan, instead of Goldmary saying: "Wash, rinse, dry, starch, fold...
Every step with precision and grace."
She says: "The men's eyes are glued to the way I perfectly do my chores."
And instead of saying: "Keeping neat and clean won't exactly lose you any friends either."
The Japanese version says: "Doing the housework with a smile on your face will also increase
your likability."
Furthermore, instead of it being something hidden among Yunaka's unmentionables, the
Japanese version is more specific, as the line says: "underwear that you don't want
people to see."
The character Louis had a big change made to his personality outside of Japan.
But to first go into his personal skill, which gives a hint about his personality in the
Japanese release.
In the English version, his personal skill is Admiration, which causes him to take two
less damage if two female allies are adjacent within two spaces.
In the Japanese version, the skill is called Hanazono no monban (花園の門番), which
means Gatekeeper of the flower garden—with hana translating to "flower," zono – "garden,"
no meaning the English term "of," and monban meaning "gatekeeper."
And so, the Japanese name "Gatekeeper of the flower garden" is quite different from the
English name "Admiration."
However, the Japanese name, as well as the skill's worldwide ability to reduce damage
if female allies are nearby, are a reference to his personality in the Japanese version
of the game.
Outside of Japan, Louis is portrayed as someone who is very fond of "people watching."
People watching is a term that is used by some to describe watching other people who
are in public places—normally to try to interpret the backstories of strangers or
for inspiration.
In Japan, though, Louis is instead very interested in watching specifically females rather than
people in general.
However, even in Japan, this is something that's not really portrayed in a lecherous
way.
This interest of his is depicted as being strange but not suggestive in nature, and
it's depicted as him being eccentric and quirky.
Here's a clip of a support between Louis and the main protagonist.
And so, Louis explains his fondness for watching people to the protagonist, and Louis makes
it clear that he wouldn't partake in this activity for anyone who it made uncomfortable.
But, as explained, in Japan, Louis instead talks specifically about females.
And another difference is that he gets told to only do it in moderation.
In Japan, the conversation goes: "Divine One.
I'm not doing anything particularly special.
I'm just quietly watching those girls chatting from over here.
A-And why are you doing that?
Why ... ? That's a difficult question.
You could even say that it's a philosophical question.
However, I suppose...
If I had to answer, I would say it's for my happiness.
You're saying you like watching girls chatting?
Yes.
I love it.
Without approaching, without participating, and naturally, definitely, without touching.
Just quietly watching from a distance.
Is that something I mustn't do?
...I think you probably shouldn't do that.
Even if you're not breaking the law.
If those girls are bothered by it, then stop right away, alright?
Of course, Divine One.
I don't want those girls to feel uncomfortable because of me, after all.
I'm relieved to hear that.
Well, only do this in moderation...
As you say, Divine One.
I apologize for causing you concern."
There is a support in the Japanese version of the game, though, that reveals Louis, in
fact, doesn't only watch females but also feminine-looking males.
While looking like a female, the character Rosado is male, and here's a clip from a support
between the two in the English version.
So in the English release, Rosado asks whether Louis is happy watching him, despite him being
alone and thus it only being one person.
In Japan, however, Rosado says: "But you know, Louis, you like to watch cute girls from afar,
right?
But I'm a guy… are you okay with that?"
To which, Louis replies: "Yes, not a problem.
Gender doesn't mean much in the face of absolute cuteness.
You see an adorable puppy playing with you and you care about its gender?"
And now for another scene revolving around Goldmary and her appearance.
Here's a clip from the English version and one of her supports with Framme.
Over in Japan, it isn't an
inelegant expression
that
Goldmary is distraught over.
Instead, it is gaining weight.
The Japanese version goes: "Goldmary.
Did the apple dish the other day go well?
Yes...
It turned out better than I imagined...
But...
Ah...
If you could cook it well, why are you so down?
Well...
I ate too much... and I gained a little weight...
At first glance, it doesn't look like you've changed at all.
Right?
I got some meat... on places you can't see at first glance.
Y-yes, I see.
With a body like this... everyone will hate me...
I don't think people would hate you for that...
But if it bothers you that much, how about going to a hot spring?
You know, if you sweat a lot...
I'm sure you'll get back to your original shape.
Hot springs are definitely no good!
W-why!?
If I go to a hot spring...
Everyone will see my neglected body... "sob"... "sob"...
Huh, huh?
Are you crying?
I love hot springs... but in this state...
I can't go to a hot spring... for the rest of my life...
But I can't lose weight without bathing in a hot spring...
If I were to compare this feeling...
its like having no clothes to go shopping for clothes...
I-I don't really understand, Goldmary, please don't cry.
Then... "sob"... help me... get back in shape..."
As mentioned, however, the script changes to the English version are vast and have seen
much of the romance-related content removed outside of Japan.
Furthermore, a lot of the altered dialogue is not explicit to begin with.
For example, a scene between the seventeen-year-old Fogado and the main protagonist involves Fogado
saying: "Yeah!
You, me, and some hard-hitting questions.
Like… who is your very best friend and why?"
In Japan, though, he says: "I want to have a private conversation with the Divine One.
Yeah!
Asking things like what kind of person is your type!"
And as seen in that comparison, many of the changes have replaced any type of reference
to romance with talking about very best friends.
It's important to point out, though, that there don't appear to be graphical alterations
between the versions and that the edits are throughout the text and voice acting.
Censored Gaming may take another look at the game at some point in the future.
But due to the large number of script changes, it's more challenging to do so with a video
format.
However, it's something that will, of course, be kept in consideration for not just now
but long-term.
What are your thoughts on Fire Emblem Engage?
As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and until next time, thank
you for watching.