Well, at least X-Seed tries with there games. I remember some sub-par Natsume games... There's even one case I remember where when you talked to a guy after you got to know him, he would spill the beans about why he's so upset. Only, it was still all in Japanese.

And Muffy... "What this is?" lol Oh Natsume.

Lol, Engrish.  I wasn't even thinking of that.  I was thinking of the more subtle things like cultural differences or references that could be different.

In all seriousness, I'm thinking the later Metal Gear Solid titles will represent the top-end of those efforts. I heard an interview with the guy who localized the first Solid game, and he said Kojima was a complete control freak who insisted that everything be translated directly, and that nothing be changed. That's where those bizzare moments like "love on a battlefield" come from: evidently, it's a beautiful and apropos phrase in Japan, but it's inappropriate gibberish here in the West.

Because I like my money, I'll pass.

Why is that?  Cultural differences probably.  Though to be truthful and realistic, love can blossom on a battlefield so that piece of dialogue does make more sense than you think.

good read

I give props for them for localizing this great games and for making it possible for us to play this game.

That was a great article. Thanks for posting it.

Fascinating. I always wondered how these guys made money.