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Pre-RTTP: Symphony of the Night - Best version?

Dracula X version. It's not hugely better, but it's nice to have new features on a game you grew up with. I know the shoddy acting and dialogue in the PSX original and there's a weird nostalgic feeling I have for it, but it's good to revisit an alternate version.
 
The PSP's "new translation" isn't even a new translation, it's a rephrasing of the hammy translation made by someone who didn't have access to the Japanese original. It's not more accurate, it's less accurate. It's humorless and dry for the sake of being humorless and dry. It's the embodiment of the "no fun allowed" jpeg.

Plus it ruins Alucard's awesome Robert Belgrade voice. Good thing IGA finally wised up and is getting him onboard with Bloodstained.

I mean, here... compare

Original

PSP


You're both under the impression that I'd be using the dub. Which I wouldn't... if original version is a possibility, I'll always go with it. The only voice acting the creators' visions had any input towards was obviously the japanese voices and as such that would inarguably make it the definitive version.

The PSP's "new translation" isn't even a new translation, it's a rephrasing of the hammy translation made by someone who didn't have access to the Japanese original.

This, however, is concerning... I am gonna need sources, though, but if true that it is not indeed an improved translation but just a masking of the original english dub meant to neuter the hammy approach then I will immediately go with PSX version (since I won't be using Maria and there don't seem to be any gameplay improvements) as I'd rather have hammy VA than mistranslated awesome VA. Also, having "cross save" across Vita/PS3 and eventually PS4 is better than not having it, so...

Version that ends with I Am the Wind.

But enough talk, have at it play.

I have been. Playing around with both versions to decide... but it'll come down to the replies I get to the stuff just above.

godly voice of norio wakamoto as dracula

Godly indeed. Pretty much just heard the intro, but I like it quite alot.
 
Some say she's still in a dream.

worship_me1.gif
 
This, however, is concerning... I am gonna need sources, though, but if true that it is not indeed an improved translation but just a masking of the original english dub meant to neuter the hammy approach then I will immediately go with PSX version (since I won't be using Maria and there don't seem to be any gameplay improvements) as I'd rather have hammy VA than mistranslated awesome VA. Also, having "cross save" across Vita/PS3 and eventually PS4 is better than not having it, so...

C'mon gaf, don't abandon me now, I'm so close... =(
 
I don't have any sources, but I do remember hearing that elsewhere.

That's the thing... I'm googling like crazy and there's alot of people saying that but there's also alot of people saying the exact opposite. =/

This will be the deciding factor, really... I'm loving the japanese VA but if the new translation is indeed bullsh*t I'd much rather play the PS1 version for previously mentioned reasons (speaking of which, who thought not having a plain black border option was a good idea? It slightly pissed me off in Rondo but now that there's an actual alternative it's just bothering me more than it should...).

If it's a legit re-translation though, I'll definitely be sticking with the DXC version.
 
You're both under the impression that I'd be using the dub. Which I wouldn't... if original version is a possibility, I'll always go with it. The only voice acting the creators' visions had any input towards was obviously the japanese voices and as such that would inarguably make it the definitive version.
I think I saw a quote somewhere where IGA said that he liked the tone of the hammy dub when Alucard got his equipment stolen by Death, because in the Japanese version it seemed like Alucard was more "clingy" towards his powerful equipment, as if he needed that advantage, whereas in the cheesy dub it felt like Alucard was more surprised by what happened.

There's probably something to love in every dub. From my perspective, the hammy dub is the definitive one, but if you like the Japanese VA you should totally go with that one. I'm not sure which versions allow for Japanese audio.

This, however, is concerning... I am gonna need sources, though, but if true that it is not indeed an improved translation but just a masking of the original english dub meant to neuter the hammy approach then I will immediately go with PSX version (since I won't be using Maria and there don't seem to be any gameplay improvements) as I'd rather have hammy VA than mistranslated awesome VA. Also, having "cross save" across Vita/PS3 and eventually PS4 is better than not having it, so...

I don't have any links, but I definitely saw at one point someone listed a few lines where the Japanese version was very-literally and clunkily translated, followed by the first English translation, followed by the second, and there were elements in the original Japanese that didn't carry over in the first translation (happens all the time in translation), and they weren't restored by the second. And there were things that were straight pulled out of someone's ass for the first translation (also happens all the time in translation), and they remained in the second translation.

They just hired an English-native speaker and had them make a second pass over the first English translation, to make it more boring and to kill the memes.
 
Depends.

The PSX version is the pure version. I'm not sure if the PSN version makes any further changes though. The JP version much more so. There's a translation for it if you want.

If your starting stats don't matter then the 360 version with no updates is perfect. The only difference is the ending song if you update.

You want the new dub and new Maria then the Dracula X Chronicles version is for you.

If you want more after exploring every other option then a Maria game on Saturn might be for you. Only explore this option to enhance your overall SOTN experience. Never play this version first.
 
Damn it... =/

Bah... I'll take your word for it. I'll do the DXC version whenever I decide to play it a 3rd time, I suppose!
 
What are the best display settings for a PS1 game on the Vita? I also bought SotN and when I play it I want it to be in the best possible way.

I personally set it to "normal" so it is still the native aspect but is a little larger, and I turn that bi-linear garbage off. I like the cleaner look. Would be nice if there was a 'scan-line' filter like the Super Star Wars has, but it still looks great. The game holds up well after all these years!
 
I personally set it to "normal" so it is still the native aspect but is a little larger, and I turn that bi-linear garbage off. I like the cleaner look. Would be nice if there was a 'scan-line' filter like the Super Star Wars has, but it still looks great. The game holds up well after all these years!

I myself stick to original, there's just no beating that OG resolution, game looks goooooood. I love Igavanias.
Inverted castle didn't feel as good this time around... it's clearly inferior to the first half, which I hadn't really noticed the first time through, but the game is still an unmitigated success on pretty much every level. Always a pleasure playing Castlevania games! As much as I love the classic format (especially Rondo and IV), SotN marked the peak of the series along with the sorrow games and probably Ecclesia.

I really wish Bloodlines would end up on the VC, it's the only one I'm missing...
 
I myself stick to original, there's just no beating that OG resolution, game looks goooooood. I love Igavanias.
Inverted castle didn't feel as good this time around... it's clearly inferior to the first half, which I hadn't really noticed the first time through, but the game is still an unmitigated success on pretty much every level. Always a pleasure playing Castlevania games! As much as I love the classic format (especially Rondo and IV), SotN marked the peak of the series along with the sorrow games and probably Ecclesia.

I really wish Bloodlines would end up on the VC, it's the only one I'm missing...

But, but, it is so teeny on the Vita.

Playing on the PS3 though I leave it at Original as well.
 
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