User blog comment:Shadowclaimer/Exaggerated Characters (Opinions)/@comment-785068-20101102162516

Even if they're historical figures, the DW series are still just video games. I think the Japanese developers are more than aware of Western video game reviewers' scathing remarks about how "each game is the same" and "every character is two-dimensional" bit. There is also a rising complaint from Japanese gamers of Koei sticking "too close to history" for their Warriors games, thus making them a little static for the characters/story. They always seem to tell a figure's history up to a certain point until they branch off in someway. Sometimes, especially with Shu, the characters' stories tend to be ridiculously predictable. That's why a portion of Japanese fans of the series (not newer fans mind you) prefer the kingdom aspect of DW4. The development of character personalities was likely inputted to counter these complaints (though they take the "gameplay never changes" with miffed impressions; that's a series token trait so they're more than a little reluctant to change that).

I'm actually more upset on how the English localizations fail to capture the personalities intended for each character. I think the moment that sticks out for me right now is one of Sun Jian's cutscenes in DW6. He was returning from a battle and Sun Shang Xiang made a comment about being left behind. In the original script, Sun Jian responds by literally calling her a "rowdy horse", which is a somewhat derogative term to describe her tomboyish nature. Of course, he is actually complementing that aspect of her character; it's like calling a child "you little rascal" or "you silly brat" with a earnest smile and with no offense intended.

In the English script, I think he said, "You would only get in the way.", which pretty much defies Sun Shang Xiang's personality entirely. It adds a subtle tone for detachment between both of them, like Sun Jian only cares about his sons. Even if it's her father saying this, doesn't it seem odd that his daughter doesn't really blink or act offended by his comment?

Another instance I can think of is Xiahou Yuan's character. There is a reason why Japanese fans call him "Engelu". Unlike a majority of the cold and stoic types in Wei, he is forgiving, snappy, and energetic. He is actually quite cute when he says "Tonni~" (Brother Dun) and likes to joke around a lot. His performances are rather charming when he talks with the all-too-serious Huang Zhong or the flamboyant Zhang He. Yeah, didn't really feel any of that for his English interpretation. They get the rough and tough part of his personality right, but they omit a lot of the charisma he has with his overseas counterpart. In fact, a lot of Wei's characters suffer from this deterioration (Sima Yi, Dian Wei, Xu Huang, Cao Cao depending on the title, and Cao Pi come to mind). Wu and Shu do as well, but at least they aren't nearly as bad as Wei.

What I'm trying to say is this: I like the personalities established in the Japanese script. They have their flaws in Japanese and Omega Force makes too many similar personalities, but they are not too bad. Can't say the same for English. My opinion is that the voice acting/voice directing/ADR writing for the English interpretations should do a better job of reflecting what Omega Force wanted for these characters. Yes, the personalities in the DW series -even in Japanese at times- are over-the-top, inaccurate, and exaggerated. I don't mind that part too much because I am not always interested in playing an action game where everyone is acting like their history records verbatim.

If I wanted a "historically accurate" fictional account for Three Kingdoms, I can always play RoTK.