Thursday, May 21, 2009

My first attempt at translation

Here are the Death Smiles achievements, with titles translated for your enjoyment...along with requirements for completion (not part of the translation itself). I took some liberties with the translation - so they aren't exact but were meant to go along with the game. I wanted to test myself to see how, if this game were to be localized, would the achievements translate best. I repeat: I'm trying NOT to make literal translations here because they'd just sound too weird. I'm trying to test myself in localization :D

使い魔の進化 (5)
Familiar Evolution
Play with manual control of your option/familiar. Version 1.1 only. Use the Option Control button if playing with a stick, just waggle the right stick around if using a pad.

戦いの火蓋 (5)
The Battle Begins!
Start a game in the Arcade or XBox 360 modes

復活 (5)
Resurrection
Use a continue(!)

地獄の鎌 (5)
The Sickle of Hell
Defeat Deathscythe (Stage A-1 Boss)

大地に喘ぐ者 (5)
The One who Breathes the Earth
Defeat Jordan (Stage A-2 Boss)

根を下ろし立つ者 (5)
The One who Stands from Roots
Defeat Whroon (Stage B-1 Boss)

継し者 (15)
The Successor
Defeat Sakura (Stage B-2 Boss)

羊羊羊 (10)
Little Lamb, Little Lamb, Lit-tle Lamb
Defeat Mary (Stage C-1 Boss)

炎を司る双竜 (10)
The Two Dragons Governing Over Flames
Defeat Bavaria (Stage C-2 Boss)

双子の竜王 (10)
The Twin Dragon Emperors
Defeat Devaria.Givaria (EXTRA Stage Bosses)

次元の扉で叫びし者 (20)
The One Screaming at True World's Portal
Defeat Jitterbug (Last Boss)

闇の帝王 (50)
The Emperor of Darkness
Defeat Tyrannosatan (True Last Boss)

地獄への入り口 (20)
Mouth of Hell
Select LVL3 for 5 stages during a game. The 5th time you choose LVL3 you'll activate Death Mode for the rest of the game, with the star-shaped revenge bullets that your option can absorb for items

地獄の洗浄 (50)
Hell's Spring Cleaning!
Select LVL3 for all stages, play the Extra stage (Canyon), Final stage (Castle), and clear the game. The Castle stage will be at maximum rank, Death Mode Level 2

任務完全遂行 (30)
Flawless Victory...and Execution!
Clear the game without continuing

爆発物禁止 (20)
No Explosives Allowed!
Clear the game without bombing

長女 (10)
The Eldest Daughter
長女の実力 (20)
The Eldest Daughter's True Strength
Clear, 1CC the game with Rosa

二女 (10)
The Second Daughter
二女の実力 (20)
The Second Daughter's True Strength
Clear, 1CC the game with Follet

三女 (10)
The Third Daughter
三女の実力 (20)
The Third Daughter's True Strength
Clear, 1CC the game with Windia

四女 (10)
The Fourth Daughter
四女の実力 (20)
The Fourth Daughter's True Strength
Clear, 1CC the game with Casper

デイオール四姉妹 (100)
Four sisters DEIOUR * (NO IDEA WHAT THIS MEANS)
Clear the game with every character

家族との再会 (5)
Reuniting with Family
私の友人 (5)
My Friends
Return Windia to the real world or Windia remains in the spirit world

仕返しはほどほどに (5)
A So-So Strike-back...
おなかいっぱい (5)
I'm Stuffed!
Return Casper to the real world or Casper remains in the spirit world

ただいま (5)
I'm Home!
みんなでお風呂 (5)
Bath Party!
Return Follet to the real world or Follet remains in the spirit world

看板娘 (5)
Show Girl
長女の憂鬱 (5)
Eldest Daughter's Angst
Return Rosa to the real world or Rosa remains in the spirit world


デススマイルズを究めし者 (100)
Deathsmiles Master
Clear all stages at LVL3 in Death Smiles Ver 1.1, including the EX Map, without continuing

究めたエンジェル (80)
Master Angel
Clear Death Smiles Ver 1.1. Contrary to the achievement description, continuing is not allowed

大食漢 (25)
Bullet Glutton
Absorb/cancel a total of 65535 bullets with your option/familiar

お風呂マニア (25)
Bath Mania!!
Watch the ending where Follet stays behind (the bath ending) a total of 10 times

廃車処理のお仕事 (15)
Demolition Work
Destroy the car near the end of the Marsh stage (gives you a bomb) a total of 10 times

あぶねぇあぶねぇ (10)
Watch out! Watch out!
Clear any stage with a half-bar of life and no bombs remaining

食いしん坊 (25)
Gourmand
Pick up 4 life-up items in a single playthrough

友達に手を上げるなんてっ! (10)
What do you mean, surrender?
While playing as Windia, wait for Sakura to self-destruct (time out Sakura?)

弾幕薄いよ! (20)
Just a small...barrage!
Make it to the boss without firing, bombing, or entering power-up mode

止まって見えるわ! (5)
Stop and watch me!
Press the Pose Button(?) during any stage

お金持ちが好き (25)
I like being rich!
Collect 500 large crowns within a single stage

白馬の王子様 (10)
A prince on a white horse
Destroy one form of any boss using only bombs

億万長者 (10)
Billionnaire
もっと億万長者 (20)
Mega billionaire
もっともっと億万長者 (50)
Mega-mega billionaire
Earn a score of over 100, 200, and 300 million points respectively

大復活 (20)
Ultimate Resurrection
Continue 50 times

実力の半分 (5)
Half-power!
Enter Power-up mode at 500
(... exactly 500?)

私の生きる道 (15)
My Way of Life
Return Sakura to the real world

新しい家族 (15)
A New Family
Sakura remains in the spirit world

忘れられし番人 (15)
The Forgotten Guard
Defeat Ozier (Stage 4-B Boss)

CAVEからの挑戦状 (50)
A Challenge from CAVE
Clear every level at Lv999 in one playthrough (continues allowed)

欲張りもん (25)
Natural lust ??
Build the counter to over 50,000

地獄の扉 (5)
Gates Of Hell
Select Lv999 for any level

急がば回れ (15)
More Haste, Less Speed (Slow and Steady Wins the Race)
Go to the castle stage after clearing both EXMaps (4-A and 4-B)

せっかち (5)
Impatience
Go to the castle stage without entering either EXMap

Akihabara for Dummies





If you're a nerd, and you're visiting Tokyo, then I can only assume that one of your first stops on your whirlwind Japan tour will be Electric Town Akihabara...and why wouldn't it be? This neon district of electronics stores, arcades (some of the most famous in the world), Japanese junk food, maid cafes, and quirky manga/anime retailers makes up one of the most characteristic - if not sterotypical - places to explore in Tokyo. But TRAVELER BEWARE! Although Akihabara is generally fairly easy to get around as a foreigner, in general you need to be careful where you go and what you buy - it's easy to get caught up in the chaos only to regret it later.

Have no fear, the Angsty Gaijin is here!

How to get there: Yamanote line. Easy. Three stops from Tokyo station (you can also use the Chuo Line express to cut out a large portion of travel time if going from Shinjuku). But for those unfamiliar with the trains, your friendly neighborhood JR station staff should be able to point you in the right direction. All ticket machines have English modes on them, so there really isn't a whole lot of explanation I can give you regarding how to get there. The important things to take note of occur once you arrive.

Now, the first thing you'll probably notice upon stepping out of Akihabara JR station is the maid cavalry...tons of college students dressed in French Maid costumes... which will be doing their best to get your attention, advertise their businesses, and hand you free packages of tissue (which is used because many public bathrooms don't supply TP or towels). Keep in mind that some of these maid businesses are more reputable than others, and although I'm far from a maid business expert I've noticed that the less English is in an advertisement you're handed, the more likely it is to be shady. I still have the handout I was given during my first trip to Akihabara for "Cutie Relax Maid Massages". I don't even want to know. Seriously. I don't.

Ideally, you want to just smile and walk by, and don't take their handouts unless you really want to. Chances are you're not here for that anyway, which leads me to: the stores.

Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you're here to buy games. Are you? Good. Now here's the bad news: aside from the region lock issue which affects every console except the GBA, DS, DS Lite, PSP, and PS3, purchasing brand new games will in general set you back far more money than stateside equivalents. A new game can go for 6800 Yen ($70) or much more than that for some Square-Enix titles. Fortunately the rule of mass depreciation doesn't only apply to cars. It applies to video games as well. You can quite regularly find complete games on sale for much much less than retail price. And it happens much, much more quickly than in the states. A game a few weeks old can sell for 30% or more off MSRP in some cases. Each retailer sets their own prices for both new and used games as well.

If buying new (consoles or games):

1.) SHOP AROUND! Remember what I told you above - retailers very often set their own prices, which means something selling for 5800 yen one place might very well be in the bargain bin down the street. Usually price variations are extreme - the only time when stores seem to universally charge the same price is when a game is first released (and as such, they can gouge). The price differences can be attributed to the presence of TONS of competition, unlike in the States. Use that to your advantage.

2.) Know your system. Most have region locks - so you'll either need a Japanese console or a means of circumventing the lock if you want to play them. Good Japanese store clerks will point this out to you as best they can, but most won't bother. Since you're in Japan anyway, you might as well get the systems too...(at least I did) -_-

If buying used (games):

1.) Read the signs! Unlike Gamestop, JP retailers do you a great service. They not only tell you that a copy of a game is used, but they list any particular problems the game or packaging has. Depending on the condition of the individual item, pricing will vary. Thus, if you just want something to play and don't care about packaging, you can get some insanely good deals. Even games with most packaging intact are sold for at least 20% off MSRP - in many cases a lot more. Unfortunately, these "condition notes" on each game are often written in "Japanese gamer dude scribble" which is, in my opinion, the most difficult handwriting to read in the world - period. Yes, worse than doctor prescriptions. Much, much worse. Here are some terms which will help you here:

中古
CHUUKO = "second hand", "used"

ディスク
DISKKU = "disc"

新しい
ATARASHII = "new"

ゲーム
GEEMU = "game"

キズ
KIZU = "wound", "scratch" (in the case of a game, refers to disc scratching or damage)

多い
OOI = "lots of"

なし
NASHI = "without", "not present"


If you can probably tell, the phrase on a game that is a dead giveaway that you really don't want to buy it is: ディスク キズ 多い (you can figure out what it means from the list above I'm quite sure).

Often the notes are written just like above, not in sentence format.

2.) Know what you're getting. A game that has a rare US version may not be as rare in Japan. Hence tons of copies of PS1 Valkyrie Profile available at 780 yen ($8 each):



Other interesting finds: complete boxed copies of FFIV - VI for Super Famicom @ $20 each, complete boxed copies of Chrono Trigger @ $15 each, complete Secret of Mana I and II @ $18, and Ogre Battle 64 - brand new and wrapped....in the bargain bin for $5. THE BARGAIN BIN! So remember, kids: if it's big in Japan, it's probably not rare in Japan. Don't think your copy of JP Chrono Trigger will fetch that same $100 on Ebay that the US copy will. Of course, if you're buying them to keep, or to play, as opposed to sell, then it's probably worth picking some of these classics up. Just don't expect to be rolling in the dough.

Useful phrases (including the "summon spell" from Yoshinoya - which also works here if you need a cashier or clerk's attention!):

「すみません!!」
SUMIMASEN = "Excuse me..."

「何かを買いたいんですが。。。」
NANIKA WO KAITAI N DESU GA... = "I would like to buy something, but [I need your help]"

「これは、いくらですか?」
KORE WA, IKURA DESU KA = "How much is this?"

「VISAを使っていいですか?」
VISA WO TSUKATTE II DESU KA = "Can I use my VISA?" (lit: "Is it good to use VISA?")

So after you're done with your game shopping, you're probably going to be hungry. Now there are plenty of food stands in Akiba selling Crepes, Takoyaki, Ramen, etc...but if you want the full Akihabara experience, you should probably try out a maid cafe at least once. Now, the maid cafe is a part of Japanese culture that is very, very difficult to explain. Basically, it started as an innocent way for socially awkward Japanese men to part with money in exchange for conversation with women dressed up as maids or other anime stereotypes. The idea was to pull the customers into a fantasy (INNOCENT fantasy that is) of being in an anime - and give them the chance to interact with people that they normally wouldn't either due to shyness or other reasons. The phenomenon exploded out of Akihabara and now there are all types of theme cafes that have more or less the same purpose.

I guess if you have to compare it to anything, think of it as the Japanese version of Hooters without the hooters...erm...so to speak. The food really isn't that special but it is a unique Akihabara experience. I can't say I'd ever go back (especially after my girlfriend heard that I went innocently on a suggestion from a friend), but it was definitely unique. And the clientele has expanded beyond just lonely guys into a socially acceptable form of restaurant for people of both sexes and (almost) any age....



erm.... *gulp*


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

How To Order At Yoshinoya


By popular request, here is the strategy guide to ordering at one of the cheapest chain restaurants in Tokyo. Enjoy!

Those of us who have traveled in Tokyo before have seen them...they're everywhere. The 24-hour mega-fast-food restaurants known as Yoshinoya. These restaurants are built for people on-the-go and have a very basic menu with traditional Japanese items, but it's some of the cheapest food you can get in the Tokyo area. What's more, surprisingly, is that it actually doesn't taste too bad, either.

In the mornings, these little restaurants are packed with salarymen and career women commuters on their way to work - and with the lightning-fast service and decent prices, it's not difficult to see why these places are popular.

But for those like us, tourists...travelers...there's only one problem...

「エピック失敗 (Epic Fail....)

KANJI-HAME-HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO ENGLISH MENUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO HIRAGANA MENUS!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOD LUCK ORDERING, GAIJIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Therefore, for those planning on traveling to Japan sometime in the future (hint: some of this stuff doesn't have seafood or seaweed ingredients, so it's very Western-friendly if you know what to order). First let's go through some of the stuff you can eat there. I took these descriptions from the website, trying to keep in mind what the most "Western" dishes on their menu were. I only had a chance to try two of them (marked with a * below), so I can't vouch for the tastiness of everything.

牛 丼 *
Gyuu don
Beef and onions over rice
This is probably their most popular dish.

牛 焼肉 定職 *
Gyuu Yakiniku Teishoku
Beef and onions with rice and cabbage set (yakiniku is lit: "Korean style BBQ" but the beef tasted the same as the Gyuudon to me).

プレーン カレー
Purein Karei
Plain Curry (served with rice)

豚 アイガケ カレー
Buta Aigake Karei
Curry with pork and rice

親子丼
Oyakodon
Chicken and egg over rice (the egg isn't fully cooked)

並 = Nami = small/normal size (note: even for an American belly, a 'nami' is more than enough food. There are technically two bigger sizes, which I have nicknamed 'too big' and 'sumo', but there's no point in discussing them since even THIS gaijin couldn't stomach more than a 'nami').

So now that you have some vocab, here's the next part...how to order.

Now this can be a terrifying experience even for someone with Japanese experience, so let me point out that you can use your hands to help here. You may not remember the word for "one" is "hitotsu", but you can certainly hold up one finger when saying the name of the dish you want. This also works for size...if you don't remember "nami", just make a gesture with your hands that implies "small".

The the exchange works as follows:

[you enter the store]

Clerk: (in a really loud voice)「いらっしゃいませ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!」
"IRASSHAIMASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Welcome [to our store]!"

Don't worry, they aren't yelling at you, they're simply welcoming you into the shop. You'll hear this a lot in Japan, so don't be surprised. Take your seat, preferably one that has a bit of space between you and the next customer over, and look over the menu, keeping in mind the dishes I listed above are already transliterated for you. Now, unlike in American restaurants, the clerk will not come over to take your order on their own (unless the place is empty). You must know the summon spell! Note that this one magic word will cause instant service at _ANY_ Japanese restaurant or other establishment. Basically an employee will drop whatever they're doing the second they hear you utter it and rush over to help you. So say it loud, say it proud, say:

You: 「すみません!」
"SUMIMASEN!"
"Excuse me, but I would like some help!" (lit: "Excuse me!" or "Pardon me!")

And then once the clerk comes over, place your order.

You: 「並牛丼を一つください。」
"Nami-gyuudon wo hitotsu kudasai."
"One small gyuudon, please."

Make sure to specify "nami" if you're getting any kind of donburi dish (oyakodon, butadon, gyuudon) because otherwise you WILL be subject to a fluent Japanese barrage as they try to figure out what size you want. The curry dishes and teishoku (set meals) do not have sizes like the donburi dishes, so you can eliminate "nami" when ordering.

If you want more than one of a particular dish...you can use the following:

一つ
Hitotsu
One [item]

二つ
Futatsu
Two [items]

三つ
Mitsu
Three [items]

四つ
Yotsu
Four [items]

You: 「並牛丼を二つ下さい。」
    "Nami-gyuudon wo futatsu kudasai."
"Two small gyuudon, please."

And so on.

If you want more than one dish, you can use "to" (pronounced "toe") to link your sentence together:

You: 「並牛丼を一つと、プレインカレーを一つください。」
"Nami-gyuudon wo hitotsu to, purein karei wo hitotsu kudasai."
"One small gyuudon and one plain curry, please."

And you can use "to" over and over again to link more dishes together - but unless you're a real pig or ordering for a bunch of people, you really shouldn't have to use it more than once or twice.

Now, finally, after you enjoy your gigantic bowl or plate of Japanese goodness, there comes that awkward moment where you need to pay the check but aren't really sure how to.... AHA! But you have this guide, my friend. In order to receive your check, first summon the clerk via the summoning spell above:

You: 「すみません!」
"SUMIMASEN!"
"Excuse me, but I would like some help!" (lit: "Excuse me!" or "Pardon me!")

So the clerk will rush over again, and you can ask for your check (which can be paid directly to the clerk at the time it is brought. It is NEVER (and I mean _NEVER_) OK in Japan to just leave money on the table and walk out. No tipping is ever required and in most cases isn't even accepted. Anyways, the request for your bill:

You: 「おかんじょう下さい。」
"Okanjo, kudasai."
"The bill, please."

Then pay your yen. It's that simple.