Several weeks ago
we learned that the localization of Tokyo Mirage Sessions#FE will be
handled by Atlus. Many fans sighed in relief after learning that, but
sadly it seems that this relief was unfounded. While Atlus may be
handling the bulk of the translation, Nintendos Treehouse still has
the role of an overseer. Nintendo still acts as publisher and because
of that they still suggest changes, if they deem them necessary. And
we all know that Nintendo likes to go overboard in that regard. So
after Fire Emblem Fates got ruined for a lot of people because of
the lackluster translation and the rampant censorship, will Tokyo
Mirage Sessions#FE meet the same fate?
After watching the
playable Demo at PAX East two weeks ago the definitive answer could
net be given, but the prospect wasn't too promising. This week some
more gameplay material surfaced, and while I'm still reluctant to
give a final answer it does look like the game will be majorly
censored in the west. Let's take a look at the videos and then talk
about what it could mean for the game.
Censorship in Action:
Ok first let's
start this with a positive outlook. Maybe this isn't a case of
censorship, but a case of ''Choosing your costume.'' The game is very
idol driven, and you have many different costumes and outfits to
choose from. Maybe it's the case that the player in the English
version just choose/equipped another outfit and this decision was
obviously also shown in the cutscene. This is probably just wishful
thinking, and the much more realistic and depressing answer is that
the bikini outfit was censored, which doesn't make sense. The game is
taking place in the Japanese Idol world. Sexy vibes lie in the very
nature of this field of work.
While it could be
debated if there was censorship in the first video here the case is
crystal clear. This is censorship in its most blatant and lazy form.
They didn't even design a new outfit for the boss, just covered up
her boobs with black mist, which ironically makes it look as if she
is not wearing anything underneath. The worst thing is that it
doesn't make sense. The heroine shows just as much cleavage in this
scene. Were is the logic in that?
Why are boobs bad?
Seriously? What's
with that sex negative attitude, not only from Nintendo, but a big
part of the American gaming press? Yes the depiction of women in
games is often superficial, but so is the depiction of men. But I
don't want to delve to deep into this topic for now, but focus on the
censorship at hand, and what it means for this game.
First of all let
me say again that I absolutely am against any form of censorship.
Also this kind of censorship doesn't make sense. Not a shred.
Removing bikini outfits from serious medieval fantasy games may have
a tiny amount of ground, but this game revolves around the Idol
world. A field of work which is inherently sexy. And yes I know I
repeat myself.
The Censorship of
Tokyo Mirage Sessions#FE does not only rob players of some fan
service, but damages the core of the game. It robs the game world of
it's immersion.
This sex negative
censorship is nothing new for Nintendo. The removal of the breast
slider in Xenoblade Chronicles X robbed women with a bigger or
smaller bust size of the possibility to create an avatar in their
image.
Well at least it
seems the translation will be handled properly this time and not
butchered like Fire Emblem Fates.
But what does this
mean for the game? As for now I would anyone advise to not preorder the game or cancel your preorder. It's an unnecessary practice, especially if you only plan on buying the standard version of the game. Let's wait an see what is
revealed in the upcoming weeks. And if you really want to play the
game, but don't want to support Nintendo and their censorship, then
consider waiting a month longer and getting a used copy of it.
So what is your
take on this censorship? Does it bother you?
And as always
thanks for reading
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