Troubles with translated JRPGs

It's weird using your own name on a JRPG game's main character when your name is distinctly not Japanese. Not even close to Japanese sounding either.

I encountered this dilemma when starting up Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor. The main character has no set name. This may be a good thing for someone wanting to make their own name (possibly put their own name in the game). I on the other hand much prefer when everything has a set name.

Having each object or character their own preset name is much easier for me. Sure it doesn't make the game completely "my own" but it relieves me of a great deal of pressure. Choosing names can be a very complicated thing. You don't want something cheesy, but at the same time, you don't want something too bland. So I much prefer when they already have a name in place and I can choose to just go with this.

The issue with Devil Survivor is that the main character doesn't have a preset name or suggestion. You need to pick one. Not wanting to sit around all day thinking up the perfect name that I would grow to hate in the end, I used my own. It was simple to think up and easy to see. Or that's what I thought. Since every other character in Devil Survivor has a preset name (in fact, you can't change their names at all) and due to the game being an RPG from Japan, they all have Japanese names. The issue - my name isn't Japanese. So throughout all the preset names, there is mine sticking out like a sore thumb.

Lucky me, I get to continue through the game with the oddest sounding character. Hopefully I won't cringe everytime a supporting role calls out to me for much longer.

P.S.

LocoRoco 2 and WipEout Pulse are great!

Coming Soon

I really like the box art for Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor (click to enlarge). I picked this up today after reading some good reviews on it and I needed something to play on my trip next week. This will be my first game in the Shin Megami Tensei series, though I've always wanted to get into some of thr Persona games. I will be gone for the whole week but plan to write a review on this game when I get back. Around that time I should also be recieving a copy of The Conduit for the Wii; therefore a review on that should be coming in the next couple weeks.