新版的翻译将会覆盖游戏里的每个角落,从对话到背景故事,到Darlavon教授(原版为Daravon)的深入教学。人名也进行了改动;Ramza的父亲Balbanes变成了Barbaneth,希特勒青年团代言人(译注3:笑)Algus Sadalfas则变成了Argath Thadalfus。地名也改得听起来更中世纪一些:Sweegy Woods变成了Siedge Weald(译注4:weald,原野,旷野,林地,用语果然装13啊)。这么做使得世界带有深刻的欧洲传统烙印,具有浓烈的斯堪的纳维亚和苏格兰风味(值得一提的是大众脸名字列表中的两个,Helvynya和Cwengyth)。所有不合时宜的日本名字也都被改掉了——原文的Hokuten knights(北天骑士团)翻译为the Order of the Northern Sky,意思是一样的,但在游戏里这种忍者和侍都被说成是来自一片遥远大陆的背景下,用纯英语的名字显然更说得过去。
更重要的是,新脚本将重新定义整个故事,把它从一片混乱的前后不一致的垃圾,升格为关于一个被战乱和政治斗争所蹂躏的王国里的阶级斗争的精彩故事。每一句台词都仔细推敲过并被重写。譬如Ramza听上去很奇怪的最后通牒,“Surrender or die in obscurity!!”变成了“Lay down your swords or die clutching them!”
再譬如,第一章Gariland Military Akademy(译注5:注意那个k……你们想到了FF12的Magicks and Technicks没?)院长的战前演说,当时Ramza和Delita等见习战士都在场,准备他们的真正意义上的第一个任务。原版的对白是这样的:
You have a mission! As you know, barbarians are rapidly increasing here in Gallione. The traitorous Death Corps detest the royal family. We cannot overlook them. We will begin exterminating these traitors. By order of our Master. Larg's Knights stationed at Igros Castle and many other groups will participate. Your duty is to support the flank. Specifically, you'll go to Igros and help guard it.... Cadets, ready your swords! A gang of tortured thieves is trying to sneak into this town. We'll begin preparations now to keep them out of town! Come with me! This is the frontline of operations! That's all! Prepare immediately!
PSP复刻版则翻译为:
The Order of the Northern Sky has an assignment for its knights apprentice. As I'm sure you're already aware, the number of brigands roaming Gallionne is on the rise. Among them, the Corpse Brigade... a seditious lot with a grudge against the Crown. Rogues such as they must be dealt with. The Order has been commanded to undertake an operation to eliminate the Brigade -- an operation of a grand scale. We will not be acting alone. The Order will be joined by, among others, His Excellency Duke Larg's royal guard, stationed at Eagrose. This will leave Eagrose Castle undermanned. Your task will be to proceed there, and support us from the rear by bolstering its defenses.... I've just received word that a band of thieves routed by our knights flees here to Gariland, seeking refuge. We will move to stop them, and finish the task of our brothers. You, young apprentices, will accompany us. This is but a squall before the storm of battle. Prepare yourselves at once! Dismissed!
尽管基本信息是完全一致的,但新剧本中对游戏内世界局势和任务细节都给出了一个更清晰的图景。这样的对剧本的修正是全局性的;我们已经玩到第一章末,发现对情节的本质,对大量出现的角色的目标之间的冲突,有了更为深入的理解。另外剧本中也有点缀其中的幽默,譬如对某个呆瓜吟游诗人的捏它……(译注6:原文为references to bards of a spoony nature,而关于spoony bard,是有一段典故的。该词组出自FF4 SFC美版,是翻译质量极差的最典型表现,也是FF粉丝们津津乐道的,具体大家可以谷歌一下)