One of the biggest decisions players are faced with when playing Ghost of Yotei is which audio language they should pick. Choosing English leads to familiar territory but due to the nature and setting of the title, some may wonder if opting for Japanese audio might be the right choice instead.
It’s hard to compare the different audio language options since so much of it is up to interpretation and personal preferences. That said, like the English vs Japanese debate in Ghost of Tsushima, there are some notable differences and considerations to take into account, which may influence a player’s decision one way or the other. Here’s the breakdown.
Should You Play Ghost of Yotei in English or Japanese?
Which VO Option is Best for Atsu?
Both English and Japanese voice acting in Ghost of Yotei have been done professionally, and choosing one over the other is a matter of preference more than it being a case of one being expressly better than the other. Since Sucker Punch is a Western studio, catering to English-speaking audiences is a primary focus for them, and that shows in Ghost of Yotei. However, the game is set in Edo-period Japan, with all characters being ethnically Japanese. As a result, it is inevitable that the most culturally accurate VO is the one in Japanese. That said, choosing English has a few merits as well.
In particular, Atsu’s English VO (Erika Ishii) makes a compelling case for picking this option. Her voice is excellent, with a low register that has a gravitas that suits the character’s personality, motivations, and state of mind perfectly. Since the main character’s voice is by far the most important part of all dialogue, this allows players to comfortably choose English over Japanese without feeling like they’re making a sacrifice. However, when it comes to secondary characters and NPCs that inhabit the world, the English audio becomes just a tad less impressive. At least, when compared to the Japanese version.
Voice overs in Ghost of Yotei can be changed at any time from the pause menu, under Audio.
Ghost of Yotei’s Japanese audio delivers on all fronts and feels authentic in accordance with the setting. Atsu is played by Fairouz Ai, a prolific Japanese VO with nearly a hundred credits who players may recognize as Jolyne Cujoh from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure or as Power from Chainsaw Man. Better yet, the secondary characters that Atsu meets during her journey complement her perfectly, making players feel like they’re in medieval Japan experiencing the story firsthand.
In contrast, quite a few NPC interactions in the English version of Ghost of Yotei fall flat and don’t have quite the same punchiness and believability as they do in Japanese. This is especially apparent in tertiary dialogue and throw-away one-liners that feel strangely out of place sometimes. However, this is mostly noticeable when the two versions are compared side by side, and players who play exclusively in English might not even catch it.
Another major point in English audio’s favor is the fact that you don’t have to constantly focus on subtitles at the bottom of the screen to read the dialogue as the action is taking place. The split attention makes it easy to miss impactful story scenes and important events as they take place.
Unlike anime, which is purely a visual medium, this is an action game where combat demands focus. This is especially apparent in Ghost of Yotei‘s higher difficulty settings, which punish every lapse in judgment. While subtitles aren’t typically a concern in fights, there are exceptions. Sometimes, a civilian is calling out for help, or an enemy is announcing a powerful attack. Getting distracted in these moments can result in frustrating deaths, something that can be avoided if players pick the English option.
For players who aren’t used to watching subbed anime episodes and movies and prefer a more casual playthrough, English might be the right option. But for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the world of Ghost of Yotei in as authentic of a way as possible, Japanese is the way to go.