Hellnight; Darkmessiah ps1 translation

[DeadEcho]

Hello! im new here and i have a question about translating a game: Hellnight for the ps1 is an obscure fps survival horror game that is similar to slender man. It was never released in america, only europe and japan. Obviously the PAL version has english text, BUT when converted to ntsc, its always cropped off either at the top or bottom. I've tried several programs to fix it with no luck. (i burn it to a cd-rom so i can play it on my modded ps1). Now the japanese version (known as DarkMessiah), does fit the screen but of course its in japanese. Is there a way to extract the PAL versions script, dialogue, text etc, and insert it into the japanese version since its technically the same game, exept for the region? That way, i can play it on my ps1 with the screen not cropped but also in english.

[Jorpho]

Is there a way to extract the PAL versions script, dialogue, text etc, and insert it into the japanese version since its technically the same game, exept for the region?

Well, for starters, it's not unknown for games to undergo subtle revisions from one region to another.

Anyway, different games will almost inevitably use different formats for storing their data. If there is "a way", it will have to be deduced through the same kind of tedious reverse-engineering as everything else.

[MD_Prometh]

The FMV cutscenes might need to be have subs retimed as there's a few timing differences, due to the Japanese release featuring voice acting.

[DeadEcho]

Well, for starters, it's not unknown for games to undergo subtle revisions from one region to another.

Anyway, different games will almost inevitably use different formats for storing their data. If there is "a way", it will have to be deduced through the same kind of tedious reverse-engineering as everything else.

I've been able to open up the bin files for both versions on isobuster and the files look exactly the same. I know isobuster isn't the best option to do this kind of work but after seeing that both have the exact same file structure and names, I was curious if it makes translating the game a little easier.

[Jorpho]

Who knows? Playstation games can access the disc directly and aren't required to use the ISO filesystem at all.

[Ultima_Guy]

I have some experience with this, Ps1 and Ps2 game rebuilding and,
My first PAL to NTSC conversion was conan the dark axe, and then the maximo game, i cut off the top of the game slightly barely... it works and looks fine...
It sounds like you have tried that and are not satisfied with the results probably your game cuts off vital info on top or bottom?  It can't be "fixed"...

what I would do is run the PAL Europe version in an emulator that supports the conversion it will fix all the issues automatically.
It sounds like you are using a CRT which is great for PS1, there is a chinese vga to s-vid converter, and I used an older PC, but not that old, even played skyrim on it, kind of cool,

Other than a PC emulator to convert it for you there maybe a Wii or Gamecube emulator that could do it but I kind of doubt it since PC emulators are light years ahead of console ones.

I think inserting the english text into the JAP-ntsc game would be massively difficult

[Ultima_Guy]

I looked it up, looks kind of interesting,
It looks like one I would just cut off the top slightly.
Then you can adjust V-size...

ps2_pal2ntsc_yfix

if you set at 48 it will be slightly low.

if you set at 56 it probably be slightly high

i chose 48, low because his health bar is on top.  happy with it

as stated in the pal2ntsc readme there are more lines of resolution on PAL screens therefore either top or bottom of screen will be cut off about an inch.

[MD_Prometh]

An undub for the PAL version exists, it seems most FMV cutscenes are the same except for the one where the characters get off the train before the game properly starts. Maybe the subs could be redone for that one cutscene?

Speaking of PAL to NTSC conversions, it'd be cool to see an NTSC conversion of Rapid Reload (localised version of Gunners Heaven) and Legend of Legaia (EU release has the same difficulty as the JP release, unlike the US version which is made harder).