
Ghost of Tsushima's Japanese Menu Translations Are a Bit… Off
The translated menu items are drawing puzzled stares.
Earlier today, the games media was allowed to confirm that they were reviewing Ghost of Tsushima, the upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusive game from Sucker Punch Productions. Many of these confirmations came with a screenshot of the opening menu of the game. Japanese site Game Watch was one of the outlets to post the menu (via Gematsu), and those with knowledge of Japanese are pointing out that the translation seems a bit off.
In English, the menu options are Continue, Load Game, New Game, and Options. Sega associate localization producer Jon Riesenbach pointed out on Twitter that the menu options use non-standard translations in Japanese. These are the examples he gives of more standard translations in Japanese games:
- Continue - 続きから
- Load - ロード
- New Game - 初めから or NEW GAME
The choices Sony Interactive Entertainment made are slightly off. The new game option in the Japanese title screen is "新しいゲーム", which translates as "brand-new game", according to Kingdom Hearts 3 producer Adam "Gaijinhunter" Evanko. That's brand-new, as in a pristine, untouched copy of the game, rather than the concept of starting from the beginning. Steins;Gate and Gal Gun 2 localizer Anthony Israel joked that chosen option would refund the game and let you buy a new copy.
The load game option being "ゲームをロード" (gemu wo rodo) instead of the simpler "ロードゲーム" making some assume that perhaps the options were machine-translated. Even the continue game option isn't quite the right verb. The poor translations are leading folks to wonder about Ghost of Tsushima's Japanese localization. The game takes place in Japan and the developers at Sucker Punch were touting the Japanese voice track, despite the game being originally recorded in English.
Sucker Punch did say that it asked for help from Sony Japan Studio during the development of the game, but perhaps the menu localization slipped through the cracks. The game's standard English audio was recorded using Asian-American actors, but that situation doesn't alleviate or change any issues with the Japanese translation. In the meantime, it seems like Ghost of Tsushima, in addition to being one of the last major games on the PlayStation 4, is also looking to be the Assassin's Creed set in Japan that players have been asking for.
Ghost of Tsushima is launching on PS4 on July 17, 2020.
In other news
NPD: PS5 Sets New US Console Launch Records While Switch Holds Strong
A strong debut for Sony hasn't stopped Switches from flying off shelves.
2
The Last of Us Part 2 Takes Home Top Prize at The Game Awards: Here Are All the Winners
Hades, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and Among Us did get some well-earned love too.
10
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales Receives a Surprise Ray Tracing Performance Mode Update on PS5
Can't choose between 60 FPS and ray tracing? There's a new mode for you.
1
Quantic Dream Announces Publishing Deal for Dustborn, From the Makers of Dreamfall
Red Thread's dystopian road trip may end up being the first title published by David Cage's newly independent studio.
Need help?
GTA 5 Cheats
Discover all the GTA 5 cheats with this handy GTA V cheats PS4, GTA 5 cheats Xbox One, and PC guide for free GTA money and more. Plus get all the Grand Theft Auto 5 cheats for Xbox 360 and PS3.
Here Are the 10 Best Easter Eggs in Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order
Find callbacks to films old and new.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Best Mods That You Should Download Now
RDR2 just released for PC players and that means more and more mods are coming in every day. Here are the best mods available right now for Red Dead Redemption 2.
10 GTA 5 Secrets That You Won't Believe
GTA 5 is a massive game, filled with brilliant secrets and Easter eggs. We've rounded up the 10 most amazing GTA 5 secrets.
Newsletter
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters
Get the best of USG in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters.