Why I won't buy Fire Emblem: Fates

Today Fire Emblem: Fates releases in North America. Here in Europe we still have to wait for even an official release date, but at least we got Bravely Second till then. However I won't be getting the newest Fire Emblem when it finally arrives in Europe. Fates development was accompanied by controversies left and right. First the announcement that the game would be split into two different versions. And now the whole censorship debacle.

I personally am against any form of censorship. I think that the creators vision shouldn't be changed or diminished in any way. Even if some people find parts of the game offensive. I was upset about the Censorship in Xenoblade Chronicles X and Fatal Frame, but this time it reached a level, where I can no longer accept the decision. For anyone wondering, here is a list of the things that where removed or changed in Fire Emblem: Fates international release.

• The Skinship feature, which allowed you to touch your Wife/Husband (kind of like PokeMonAmi) was removed completely.
• Compared to the Japanese versions 3196 audio files, the NA version only has 1208.
• Swimsuits were completely removed as a clothing option.
• Unnecessary character name changes
• Skill/Class names were changed for no reason, some of them being long running series staples (Pegasus Knight is now Sky Knight)
• Forcing Memes into Localization.
• Character confession scenes have been shortened.
• Localization changes the character of some people completely. (Effie for example)
• No dual Audio, although Fire Emblem: Awakening provided English and Japanese Audio.
• Subpar dub quality

These are the information I got so far, about what has been altered during the localization process. Now I think that localization should never alter a game in any way and stay as close to the source material as possible.

Now some people may say that these are only small changes, and who gives a damn if swimsuit outfits are removed, but I strongly disagree. Not only because I like to experience a game, just like the creators intended it, but also because this sets a dangerous precedent. In Fatal Frame we at least got new costumes instead of the censored lingerie outfits. (And the Zero Suit outfit for Yuri is hotter anyway.) This time the swimsuits are gone without any form of compensation. I may go deeper into Nintendo, Censorship and why I can't agree with the practice in a future blog post, but for now I'll keep it short.

With Fire Emblem: Fates the localization team at Nintendo of America tempered with the game too much and reached a level, where I personally can no longer agree with it. As a result of that I won't be buying any version of the game, and I would advise anyone, who likes to enjoy games just as the creators envisioned them, to do the same. And if you don't want to deny yourself the experience of playing the newest Fire Emblem then maybe try looking for a used copy.

And as always

thanks for reading

Sources: http://pastebin.com/rrFyBfUz