In recent times, voice acting has grown significantly more common within video games, particularly in those with a strong narrative focus like Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs).
Originally, it was merely an additional aspect, but now it’s crucial for fully engaging players and fostering a deeper emotional bond between them and the game’s characters and their challenges.
Although certain independent games may not have the budget for full voiceovers, or any vocal effects at all, there are popular Japanese Role-Playing Games that extend their dubbing efforts to non-playable characters too.
Instead of sticking to just the English dubbed versions, let me share with you some of the top Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) that boast impressive voice acting across the board. Here are a few standouts:
1. Final Fantasy VII Remake – This modern take on the classic RPG features an all-star cast and immersive voice acting, bringing the world of Midgar to life in a whole new way.
2. Persona 5 Royal – The latest entry in the beloved Persona series is packed with memorable characters and top-notch voice performance. With its engaging storyline and dynamic combat system, it’s a must-play for any JRPG fan.
3. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered – This heartwarming tale about a young boy named Oliver and his magical world is brought to life by an outstanding voice cast. The remastered version offers improved graphics and smoother gameplay, making it a perfect choice for newcomers and long-time fans alike.
4. Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition – This action-RPG combines fast-paced combat with deep storytelling, all while featuring an impressive voice cast that brings the diverse characters to life. With multiple playable characters and a vast open world to explore, there’s plenty to love in this classic title.
5. Octopath Traveler – In this innovative RPG, you can choose from eight unique protagonists, each with their own storyline and voice cast. The blend of retro pixel art and modern gameplay mechanics, along with the engaging voice acting, make it a truly special experience.
8. Septerra Core
A Western JRPG From 1999
Among the games listed here, Septerra Core stands out as it wasn’t originated in Japan. This role-playing game was crafted by Valkyrie Studios, a team based in Chicago, in 1999. Their creation was influenced by popular titles such as Phantasy Star and Chrono Trigger.
In this Western RPG, you’ll notice similarities with Eastern games in various aspects. It employs a turn-based battle system similar to that found in Final Fantasy’s Active Time Battle (ATB) system, it places greater emphasis on character growth, and it even features an airship for traversing the vast overworld.
Surprisingly, this 1999 game boasts fully voice-acted dialogue, featuring a talented voice cast that’s not typically found in games from that era, particularly for an RPG spanning over 50 hours.
In addition, the writing is equally captivating. The game, Septerra Core, unfolds in the world of Septerra, where we join Maya, a scavenger who has lost her city. As she embarks on her adventure, she encounters diverse companions and memorable characters, each with unique appearances and voice acting that vividly portrays their individualities.
7. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
English Accents All Around
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is definitely worthy of mention, though it should be noted that while the primary narrative and significant side quests have voiceovers, minor tasks and interactions with Non-Player Characters (NPCs) do not.
I simply couldn’t overlook this JRPG in my list. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 stands as the pinnacle of the series, encapsulating all its aspects into a single masterpiece. Despite the criticisms about Rex’s English dub in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and the endless jokes about Reyn from the first game, they truly hit the mark with Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
If you’re seeking out intense action sequences accompanied by an unusual soundtrack, boosted by top-notch voice acting that truly heightens these scenes, you’ll find it without a doubt. The accents used are quite endearing and add an air of authenticity to certain characters.
One captivating aspect of “Xenoblade Chronicles 3” lies in its exceptional scriptwriting and dialogue, skillfully delivered by top-notch dubbing and thoughtful voice guidance. This combination truly enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
6. Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song
A Fully-Voiced PS2 JRPG
It’s unusual for SaGa games to deviate from standard formats, whether in storytelling or game mechanics. If someone had predicted that one of the primary series installments would be a fully-voiced JRPG, I would have assumed them to be delusional.
Speaking of Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song, it’s a revamped edition of the original Romancing SaGa from 2005, which was initially released on the PS2 and later remastered in 2022. What stands out is that the PS2 version itself boasted fully-voiced characters, making this remake even more special!
This encompasses characters such as party members, storytellers, war shouts, non-player characters (NPCs) of various kinds, and merchants too. Granted, it may not have been top-notch voice acting, but given that, it’s still an impressive accomplishment.
Given that SaGa doesn’t typically have the same budget as Final Fantasy, providing each character with a voice is quite an accomplishment for the series on its own.
5. Final Fantasy XIII
The Upside of Neglecting Sidequests
Using English theater actors for the dubbing of Final Fantasy XII was a genius move by Square, which resulted in one of the most superbly voiced games on the PlayStation 2 and an enduring point of reference to this very day.
The main reason why Final Fantasy XIII holds this position over its predecessor is that it offers full dubbing, from the briefest cutscenes to even the most inconsequential NPC dialogues. This could be viewed as a benefit stemming from the game’s linear structure, given its absence of side quests.
As a gamer, I must admit that some JRPGs have their flaws – the gameplay can feel restricted, the battles might seem repetitive, and the storyline could be confusing at times. But, boy, do they ever excel in the department of presentation! The graphics are simply stunning, and the audio is so well-crafted that it immerses me completely into the game world.
The voice performances are always flawless, conveying depth and complexity when the narrative requires it or a sense of playfulness and warmth during less tense scenes. Ever since Final Fantasy began incorporating voice acting into its storytelling, it has consistently provided it with exceptional quality.
4. Kingdom Hearts 3
Original Disney Voice Actors
Despite not being universally acclaimed as a top pick within the series, it’s clear that with each new release, Kingdom Hearts 3 has seen increased investment from Square and Disney, notably in areas such as voice acting.
In this collaboratively created JRPG, every single character is given a voiceover. This includes numerous Non-Player Characters (NPCs) that inhabit the game world and share their daily routines verbally with us.
It’s noteworthy that in Kingdom Hearts 3, many of the original voice actors returned to their characters. For example, the whole main cast of Frozen came back to reprise their roles, including Elsa, Olaf, and others.
Absolutely, they’re part of it too – Donald and Goofy, voiced by their familiar voices. This brings a sense of nostalgia for those who reminisce about Disney films, as they witness their cherished figures navigating through unforeseen storylines.
In another words, nothing could have prepared me for the unexpected spectacle of Donald Duck using Zettaflare, Square Enix’s strongest spell yet – a moment I never imagined I’d witness. And to make it even more astonishing, he did so in his distinctive quack-like voice.
3. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Where The Gatekeeper Reigns Supreme
In the Fire Emblem series, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia was a groundbreaking game as it featured full voice acting for the first time, setting a high standard. Fortunately, Fire Emblem: Three Houses not only met but exceeded these elevated standards.
Apart from Byleth, our customizable character, the entire strategy RPG, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, is voice-acted, with only a handful of brief dialogues omitted. Some critics argue that it deserved nomination for Best Voice Acting at the awards during its release year.
Fans highly appreciate Chris Hackney’s portrayal of Dimitri and Kyle McCarley’s voice work as the Gatekeeper, one of the game’s adored non-player characters (NPCs).
One key point of appreciation for “Fire Emblem: Three Houses” lies in its exceptional voice acting. Despite the extensive script and numerous characters, each voice actor seamlessly matches their role, resulting in a storyline that feels genuine and enjoyable to engage with.
2. Final Fantasy XVI
The Best English Cast In a Japanese Game
The game Final Fantasy XVI is ranking second not due to being unvoice-acted in its entirety, but rather because the lead actor, Ben Starr (Clive’s voice), reportedly performed an extraordinary number of takes for each main dialogue line. This laborious process has proven beneficial, as evidenced by the impressive outcome.
It’s true that Final Fantasy XVI marks a shift for the series as it will primarily use English as its official language. Although the original script might have been penned in Japanese, there were discussions about localization, yet the motion capture and vocal performances are all conducted in English.
It’s clear how that impacted the narrative structure of Final Fantasy XVI. This game boasts some of the finest voice acting in Japanese Role-Playing Games, and it even ranks among the best in the overall gaming industry. There’s no denying that Ben Starr is synonymous with Clive; they are essentially one and the same.
In simpler terms, I really appreciated the game’s mood, the acting skills of the cast, and the gravity and depth of its storyline. Square Enix has raised the bar for their AAA JRPGs, so I hope they maintain this level of quality in the next main installment of the Final Fantasy series. Let’s cross our fingers that it lives up to expectations.
1. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
An Award-Winning Team
Have you heard that Square Enix uses machine learning technology in the game Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, so that the character’s lip movements correspond to the chosen voice-over language you select? Regardless of the cast, the game will honor your preference and adjust the animations accordingly.
This demonstrates the company’s commitment to crafting an ideal ambiance for players, catering to all tastes. In any version you prefer, Square truly excelled with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
In the sequel, there’s significant growth in character depth, with the exceptional voice acting being a key factor. The exceptional skill of the voice actors is evident in the numerous accolades they’ve received, be it Cody portraying Cloud, Brianna embodying Aerith, or John Eric delivering an outstanding performance as Barret.
It’s even more astonishing to note that each NPC is fully voice-acted, an incredible accomplishment given that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth could run over 100 hours. If this doesn’t establish a high standard for the quality we can expect in Part 3, I’m not sure what else does.
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2025-03-11 19:11