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Script Changes

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edrovinhaz edited this page Nov 5, 2025 · 52 revisions

Introduction

While not a complete retranslation, the aim of the script patch is a story that's as faithful as possible to the Japanese version of the game, and to raise the dialogue's presentation to a more modern standard of consistency by sticking to a style guide.

It uses the original English localisation by Richard Honeywood as its basis, and so the overall tone and classic scenes will remain familiar to long-time players, but many names, key terms, mistranslations, and countless instances of incorrect grammar and punctuation have been corrected. Most importantly, we have attempted to restore the various philosophical, mythological, and religious references that were originally intended by the creators.

Some official details from Perfect Works have been added to deepen the in-game lore. Where the original game script (even in Japanese) is contradicted by information in Perfect Works, dialogue has been changed to reflect Perfect Works.

Terms which went on to appear in later Xeno games with an updated 'official' localisation have been changed to match (Vessels of Anima being one example).

There were also a handful of bugs where characters' lines were missing or cut short due to quirks in the code - these have also been fixed.

Note: Player Gear names (and Chu-Chu) are loaded at New Game and stored in the save file from then on. So if you're using a save from the vanilla release or an earlier revision of PWB, you may not see all corrections to these names even after patching.

Screenshots

Name changes

Characters

  • Broyer > Breuer - Possibly named after Josef Breuer. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Elhaym > Elehayym - Heroine of Xenogears. Changed to use the Japanese name, preserving the intended effect when read backwards.
  • Franz > Vance - Reversed the name swap done with Vance and Franz.
  • Helmholz > Helmholtz - Named after Hermann von Helmholtz. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Jessie > Jesse - Likely reference to Jesse James. Written as 'Jesse' in Perfect Works.
  • Kahran > Carlin (and Kahr to Carl) - Possibly named after Carl Jung. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Kelvena > Cherubina - Derived from Cherubim, the second highest angelic order to Seraphim in Christianity. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Krelian > Karellen - Reference to Karellen from Childhood's End, whose methods and goals align with his Xenogears counterpart. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Maison > Mason - Written as 'Mason' in Perfect Works. Changed to be a more common transliteration of the Japanese.
  • Martle > Myrtle - The dog from the Yggdrasil's engine room. Corrected the transliteration.
  • Miang > Myyah - Romanization of the name used in Perfect Works. Changed to use the Perfect Works name, preserving the intended effect when read backwards.
  • Moulten > Morten - A Lahan resident who Fei meets in Breidablik. Changed to a more likely transliteration.
  • Mugwort > Tenpou - Reference to Zhu Bajie's original title in Journey to the West. Corrected the mistranslation of the original name.
  • Nikolai > Nikola - Possibly derived from Nikola Tesla, who created the radio remote control. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Rattan > Kenren - Reference to Sha Wujing's original title in Journey to the West. Corrected the mistranslation of the original name.
  • Renk > Rank - Possibly referring to Otto Rank. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Ricdeau > Rikudou - Japanese term, possibly referring to the Buddhist idea of Six Paths. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Stratski > Strachey - Possible reference to James Strachey. Although the transliteration is off, it fits with the psychoanalysts naming convention among Geburah members.
  • Suzarn > Suzanne - Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Taura > Torah - First five books of the Hebrew bible. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Tolone > Throne - Derived from Thrones, the third highest angelic order to Seraphim and Cherubim in Christianity. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Vance > Franz - Reversed the name swap done with Vance and Franz.
  • Vanderkaum > Vanderkam - Corrected the misspelling of the original name.

Player Gears

  • Heimdal > Heimdall - Son of Odin who watches for invaders. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Seibzehn > Siebzehn - German for 'seventeen'. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.

Enemies

  • Alkanshel > Arc-en-Ciel - French for 'rainbow'. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Alpha Weltall/True Weltall > OR Weltall - Grahf's gear. Changed to use the Japanese name. The term is used in both fights.
  • Amphysvena > Amphisbaena - Serpent with a head at each end. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Eagle Armor > Egil Armor - Reference to an Icelandic saga. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Eagle Blade > Egil Blade - See above.
  • Eagle Gunner > Egil Gunner - See above.
  • Edin > Edain - Reference to an Irish myth. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Harlute > Harut - Angel paired with Marut in the Quran. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Marlute > Marut - Angel paired with Harut in the Quran. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Miang's Gear > C1 Vierge - Changed to use the Perfect Works name.
  • Opiomorph > Ophiomorphous - Serpent in Gnostic lore according to a A Dictionary of Angels. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Schpariel > Spirale - German for 'spiral'. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Seraph > Aeon - Gnostic emanations of God. Changed to use the original reference.
  • Skyghene > Skyscreech - The Japanese name used an onomatopoeia which was translated as 'ghene'. Changed to use a more appropriate localisation.
  • Sufal > Sphar - Used by the Italian translation of Perfect Works. Sanskrit term meaning 'to spread'. The original script likely used the term 'Sephardi', though referring to the game's mutants as 'Jews from Spain' had unfortunate connotations.
  • Sufal Mass > Sphar-Meld - Chosen as it conveyed the meaning of the Japanese term better.
  • Sundel > Sandalphon - Jewish and Christian archangel. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.

Places

  • Aquvy > Aqvi - Written as 'Acvi' in Perfect Works. Spelt as 'Aqvi' as an identical term is used officially in Final Fantasy Type-0.
  • Arbot/Arebato > Araboth - The seventh heaven, housing the throne. Restored reference and made consistent.
  • Aveh > Av - Fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. Corrected the misspelling of the original name (still has a slight 'e' sound at the end when spoken).
  • Bledavik > Breidablik - Home of Baldr in Norse mythology. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Elru > Elul - Sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Etrenank > Etemenanki - Ziggurat dedicated to Marduk. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Golgoda > Golgotha - Site where Jesus was crucified. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Ignas > Ignis - Latin term for 'fire'. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Mahanon > Machanon - Possibly derived from Machen, the fourth heaven where the Garden of Eden is located. Used a spelling that is closer to 'Machen'.
  • Merkava > Merkabah - Hebrew for 'chariot'. Either term is acceptable, but the Xenosaga version is used.
  • Nortune > Noatun - Home of Njörðr in Norse mythology. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Thames > Tamuz - Fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.

Terms

  • Anima Relics > Vessels of Anima - Artifacts that align with gears. Changed to use more accurate translation, as per Xenosaga.
  • Anonelbe > Ahnenerbe - German for 'Ancestral Heritage'. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Day of Destruction > Day of Collapse - Event where Grahf destroyed most of the population. Changed to use the same name more consistently.
  • Ethos > The Church/Church of the Ethos - In the Japanese script, the Ethos was simply referred to as 'the Church'. A combination of the two has been used to respect the original term whilst using a name that is appropriate for an organisation.
  • Gaetia Key > Key of Goetia - Reference to The Goetia, a book of The Lesser Key of Solomon. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Gebler > Geburah - The fifth Sephirot of the kabbalistic Tree of Life. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Kadomony > Kadmoni - 'People of Kadmon'. Reference to Adam Kadmon, the first human. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Kahal > Qahal - Reference to a theocratic organization in ancient Israel. Changed to the more common transliteration.
  • M Plan > M Project - Updated to be consistent across the script.
  • Razael > Raziel - Angel in Jewish mysticism, who gave Adam secrets about the universe. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Reapers/Wels > Verus - Possible reference to the Latin term for 'truth'. Corrected the mistranslation of the original name, as per official localisation of the same term in Xenoblade Chronicles X.
  • Urobolus > Ouroboros - Greek term for tail-eating snake, a symbol of infinity. Corrected the misspelling of the original name.
  • Yabeh > Deus - Reference to the name considered for Deus early in development. Changed to Deus for consistency.

Battle

  • Earth Mode > Seismic Mode - Chosen to give Bart's ability names a more dramatic flair.
  • Fire Mode > Inferno Mode - Chosen to give Bart's ability names a more dramatic flair.
  • Water Mode > Torrent Mode - Chosen to give Bart's ability names a more dramatic flair.
  • Wind Mode > Zephyr Mode - Chosen to give Bart's ability names a more dramatic flair.

Weapons

  • Yamoto Sword > Yamato Sword - Japanese term for "great" and "harmony". Corrected the misspelling of the original name.

Misc

  • Belta > Bertha - Yggdrasil gun turret. Reference to standard artillery codenames (Anton, Bertha, etc). Corrected original misspelling.
  • Duermod > Diarmuid - Sand-pirate Gears. Reference to Irish myth 'Diarmuid Ua Duibhne'. Corrected original misspelling.
  • Gungany > Gungnir - AKA Bart Missile. Reference to Odin's lance in Norse mythology. Corrected original misspelling.
  • Iltus > Iltis - Av destroyer. Reference to a German gunboat class. Corrected original misspelling.
  • Kief > Keh - Class of Geburah explosive. Possible reference to 'red storm' in the Mayan calendar. Corrected original misspelling.
  • Luveh > Löwe - Av destroyer. Reference to a real-world Norwegian destroyer commandeered by Germany in WWII. Corrected original misspelling.
  • N/A > Bofars - Small gun of the Kefeinzel. Parody of the Swedish weapons manufacturer Bofors. Missing in the original translation.
  • N/A > Meluru - Small gun of the Kefeinzel. Parody of the Italian weapons manufacturer Melara. Missing in the original translation.

Story changes

  • Liquid Sky is referred to by Jessie and Sigurd in the gunroom and by Maison after Shakhan.
  • The names of the Gazel Ministry are referenced by Karellen in their final scene.
  • All references to Chu-Chu are now pointers, which means that anything in the script with the name "Chu-Chu" will now load the nickname the player gave her.
  • The deaths of Bart's parents and Margie's parents has been changed from execution to suicide akin to Perfect Works.

Chapter names

  • Girl in Forest > Encounter
  • Path to Aveh > Path to Av
  • Operation Aveh > Operation Av
  • Road to Nisan > Route to Nisan
  • Recapture Aveh > Recapture Av
  • Escape Ignas > Escape Ignis
  • Friends Again > Reunion
  • Reapers' Ship > Verus' Ship
  • Ocean Floor > Seafloor Ruins
  • Gate 1 Margie > Gate 1 Nisan
  • Escape Solaris > On the Run
  • Krelian's Lab > Karellen's Lab
  • Above Mahanon > Machanon Rises!
  • Promised Land > Forsaken Land
  • Merkava Calls > Merkabah Calls

Other

  • English-dubbed FMV sequences are replaced with English-subtitled Japanese versions. You can choose to opt out.
  • Voice samples from battles, the card game etc are also replaced with the Japanese versions (note that the cost, as with most undubs, is that these are unsubtitled). You can choose to opt out.
  • The various jukeboxes in the game now show the official English track titles when playing.
  • All characters with portraits are named except the Gazel.
  • El prefix in Hebrew has been added to the names of the Omnigears.
  • On the rename screen, Accept/Cancel have been changed to Enter/Delete.
  • DeathBlow has been changed to Deathblow.
  • Name changes between the game, the arena selection screen and the arena portraits are harmonised.
  • Elemental item names have been replaced with the continent names akin to the Japanese version.
  • Sphar-Meld FMV now uses higher audio quality.
  • All instances of the Neo prefix in a name are hyphenated.
  • An additional line from Fei has been restored when Elly is waking up by the campfire in Blackmoon Forest.
  • Additional lines from Elly's Jugend flashback have been restored.

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