Final Fantasy VI SNES Woolsey Uncensored Edition (Updated - Version 3.06)

[Rodimus Primal]

I have to agree. The "Submariner" line from Kefka was classic Woolsey charm. Changing it would kill a very funny and endearing line and go against the very purpose of this project.

Exactly. Not to mention that it also works REALLY well in context. Figaro Castle entered SUBMERGE mode. Much of Kefka's dialog in the original Japanese made him out to be a generic villain. He wasn't that popular over there. Kitase himself was impressed with how Woolsey made Kefka such a memorable villain in the West. Not to mention the behavior and quotes Kefka says in Dissidia are because of how he was portrayed in English.

Here's another Woolseyism that I believe works so well too. In Japanese:

{ｴﾄﾞｶﾞｰ}「{シャドウ}......
　金のためには親友をも殺しかねない
　暗殺者だ。

Which directly translates to:

Edgar: Shadow.
He'd kill his best friend for money.
An assassin.

And what we got is a line that's just as quotable as the Submariner line:

EDGAR: That's SHADOW...!
He'd slit his mama's throat for a nickel!

Now it sure is hammed up, but it does leave out that Edgar said he's an assassin. Whether this was for censorship or ROM space, we're unsure. However, TWUE restores the cut line and keeps the famous quotable:

Edgar: That's Shadow...!
He's an assassin.
He'd slit his mama's throat for a nickel!

[Guadozoku]

That sounds kind of unnatural though. How about

That's Shadow. He's an assassin who'd slit his mama's throat for a nickel.

[Rodimus Primal]

That sounds kind of unnatural though. How about

That's Shadow. He's an assassin who'd slit his mama's throat for a nickel.

You're right and that's because I misquoted TWUE. It's actually this:

Edgar: That's Shadow...!
He's an assassin.
I hear he'd slit his mama's throat for a nickel!

[Ajogamer]

Complain all you want about it with "There's no submarines in FF6!" or "That line shouldn't be as fun or memorable!" but that's one of the reasons why people WANT it kept as is. It's VERY much like "It's dangerous to go alone. Take this." or "You Spoony Bard!" They work so effectively in English even if they aren't as accurate as you may like them.


All in all, this project was really trying to bridge the gap between those that want it more accurate, and those that love those classic lines. So many clearly love that and some don't. What more can I say then やれやれだぜ

The above (along with the rest of that post) really hits the nail on the head as to why I both love the original SNES script, and love this particular hack's version of the script even more. That personality and sense of fun were big reasons I really enjoyed FFVI's original SNES script as much as I did. Final Fantasy VI is already a game that's a bit eclectic and jumps back and forth a lot between between moments both serious and silly, but the way Woolsey tweaked and elaborated on some of the lines really made many of them stand out and stick with me more.

I played the GBA version too, and while it's overall a very good translation, and is more consistent than the SNES version when it comes to accuracy (I imagine it not having to be translated within a single month helped a bit), it's also definitely a bit more plain or dry at some spots, too. There were a few "Woolseyisms" it intentionally kept, but there were also quite a few it removed.

For example, take this one line of Edgar's from the SNES version (also quoted in the last post):

EDGAR: That's SHADOW...!
He'd slit his mama's throat for a nickel!

In the GBA version, it was this:

That's Shadow...
He's an assassin. He'd kill his own best friend for the right price...

Which definitely isn't a bad line at all, but it's definitely got a different feel to it; the SNES version makes Shadow sound a bit more ruthless, and also has a bit more energy to it, both of which I think "plays up" shadow a bit more; something I think is one of FFVI's strengths in general.

I always felt like Final Fantasy VI was a game that could be compared to a big play; the characters may be a bit less comprehensive than some newer games, but a lot of the characters have strong "stage presence", with clear, distinct themes or larger than life personalities, both of which help make them stick out and be more memorable.

So for me, Edgar saying "he'd slit his momma's throat for a nickel" plays up Shadow's "cold, ruthless assassin" aspect more; it implies the guy's so emotionally cold and money-hungry he'd do such a vicious act even for chump change. Then even if we assume it's just a rumor Edgar heard, I feel it plays up Shadow more for the rumors to be pushing the narrative to that extent.

With the GBA version's line of "he'd kill his best friend for the right price", that's still certainly cold and money-hungry, but less so, since "for the right price" implies Shadow won't do it for any fee; it's certainly something he'd consider, but it's very possible the price would need to be high. It certainly still makes Shadow sound intimidating, but it pushes the cold, ruthless aspect less; it feels like a much more grounded rumor by comparison, and the sort of thing that could likely be said about any cutthroat mercenary or ruffian.

I felt pretty happy with the way this Woolsey Uncensored Edition hack combined the two, as well, by keeping the personality of the SNES version, but adding the extra nuance of the line that the SNES version didn't quite cover (whether due to rewrites or room constraints) of stating up front that Shadow's an assassin.

All of that is also why I really love this patch as much as I do, and consider it the ideal version of the game; it balances and combines the personality and memorability of the SNES script with the improved accuracy we've obtained over time from the GBA script (and a few other resources). While it's of course subject to personal taste, I feel it balances those aspects perfectly and exactly in the way I consider ideal. The good thing is Final Fantasy VI has a lot of different script options at this point, with the various releases and fan-hacks, so I feel like nowadays, there's probably a suitable version out there for all sorts of preferences.

[Masaru]

I think i've exaggerated a little with the woosleyisms part.

I wouldn't mind those changes,
my point was that hacks like retranslated are accurate but uses the american names and is something I wouldn't mind either

[lexluthermiester]

I always thought the submariner line worked because Edgar basically turned the castle into a submarine. 'Son of a submariner' hilariously captures Kefka's surprise at the absurdity to me.

This. Well said.

[Rodimus Primal]

I just wanted to let everyone know, madsuir's Random Encounter's Menu Option by default is not compatible with Ted Woolsey Uncensored Edition since it occupies the same free space at points. I know some were asking since they don't like the high encounter rate of vanilla FF6.

However, he was kind enough to make a version that IS compatible, and it can be downloaded here: Random Encounter TWUE Compatible

[Masaru]

Is there a possibility to make a TWUE compatible version of the Swdtech renaming menu restoration patch?

[Rodimus Primal]

Is there a possibility to make a TWUE compatible version of the Swdtech renaming menu restoration patch?

There was definitely a compatibility issue with that hack and I'm not exactly sure where the overlap is and if can be adjusted to work. I've not seen Novalia Spirit active in quite some time either, though if it was a possibility I'd look into it.

[megamike15]

i really did feel it was a missed opportunity  not to get the "There's a reason 'oppose' rhymes with 'dispose' kefka line  in there somewhere.

it's one of the new lines from the gba i always liked. and the original line just feels very generic in comparison.

[Rodimus Primal]

i really did feel it was a missed opportunity  not to get the "There's a reason 'oppose' rhymes with 'dispose' kefka line  in there somewhere.

it's one of the new lines from the gba i always liked. and the original line just feels very generic in comparison.

That was definitely what I'd call a Slattery-ism. What's really interesting about that line of dialogue is that neither official translation is completely accurate but is perfectly fine in context when you think about it.

ｹﾌｶ「いいか！
　なさけなどかけるな！
　さからうものは、みな殺しだ！
　行くぞ！！

Which translates to :

Kefka: "Listen!
　Don't you dare to be merciful!
　Anyone who dares to disobey will be killed!
　Let's go!

With this, he sounds like he's telling his soldiers that if they disobey he will kill them. Harsh, but in context he's more so telling them to show no mercy.

OG translation works, just cuts out the mercy line. Most likely because of space limitations.

KEFKA: Read my lips!!
Dispose of any who oppose us!
March!

It would seem Slattery added his own spin to it:

Read my lips -- mercy is for wimps! There's a reason "oppose" rhymes with "dispose"... If they get in your way, kill them! March!

I'm open to updating that line but I don't think it necessarily needs the Slattery-ism. What does everyone else think?

Also, I'm getting some feedback about the Add-Ons patch with Cyan's Bushido. I changed the speed at which it charges up, but I am willing to do 2 things. Either, slow it down a bit (default speed was a code change from 03 and I changed it to 00) or make a patch that removes that as an extra. Maybe both?

[ifightdragons]

The Slattery-isms are too melodramatic, or trying to be.

Do it the way you want, Rodimus, it's what's worked best so far.

[Dzumeister]

The Slattery-isms are too melodramatic, or trying to be.

this is a game where one of the most iconic sequences is an opera

[megamike15]

and the humpty dumpty line got kept so it's not like the gba version is a sin or anything.

i was just thinking that one specific kefka line felt in character and was better then the generic line it is.

it's not like i want all  his  lines to be the gba version. the replacement for the hate speech felt way more overdramatic to the point i thought he was gonna say another word not brat. 

[Rodimus Primal]

and the humpty dumpty line got kept so it's not like the gba version is a sin or anything.

i was just thinking that one specific kefka line felt in character and was better then the generic line it is.

it's not like i want all  his  lines to be the gba version. the replacement for the hate speech felt way more overdramatic to the point i thought he was gonna say another word not brat.

I did say I was willing to update it and was looking for further input before making a decision. While Kefka is nuts, he is ordering his troops and if I do change the "Dispose of anyone who opposes us" to "There's a reason oppose ryhmes with oppose" then I have to add something for context, which would be something like "Show no mercy."


I am thinking of a clever way to use it though.

[lexluthermiester]

I did say I was willing to update it and was looking for further input before making a decision. While Kefka is nuts, he is ordering his troops and if I do change the "Dispose of anyone who opposes us" to "There's a reason oppose ryhmes with oppose" then I have to add something for context, which would be something like "Show no mercy."


I am thinking of a clever way to use it though.

That line should be left alone, IMHO. It's very much a Woolseyism and is a part of the charm of the game.