Don't believe me? Well, here's the art that graced the cover of the Japanese version of the game, released as Xenoblade in June 2010:
Nintendo's crack team of designers zoomed in--just a bit--on the illustration and added the word "Chronicles" to the cover before releasing the game in Australia and throughout Europe a few months ago, as the image below makes abundantly clear:
So, how have they changed up Xenoblade Chronicles' box art in anticipation of this open-world RPG's North American release next April? (Read about it here.) They went back to the original, zoomed-out version of the illustration that appeared on the Japanese version's cover, for starters. After that, they added in a subtitle that's so subtle it's almost nonexistent.
Personally, I like the European and Japanese covers more than the North American one. Honestly, I'm surprised Nintendo of America's designers didn't just go with the more-than-fine Euro art, since all they had to do to it was replace the PEGI rating with an ESRB one. I guess they wanted to earn their paycheck.
Anyway, that's my opinion this time around. Which one do all of you prefer?
See also: Previous 'Which Box Art is Better?' posts
16 comments:
There's definitely a bit more continuity between Xenoblade and Chronicles in the Euro boc art. I prefer the japanese one just for the japanese writing underneath. It could say 'frozen turd' but it's got an element of class to an ignoramous like me.
I'd just like to say again that this is pretty much my favourite JRPG since Persona 4.
Hard to say since they all look so simular in terms of appearance other than how the name looks. So if I had to guess on that basis, I'd choose the NA boxart just because I like that little line that separates the chronicles from Xenobladecatingfz
I greatly dislike uneccessary subtitled added to games during their localizations, so I definitely prefer the Japanese boxart most of all. Why is adding "Chronicles" supposed to excite my Western sensibilities, again? =p
Besides that, I'd agree that the European one is the better of the remaining two. Although, I'm just thrilled we're getting a NA release at all, so I won't rag on the American box art too much this time!
Ha! I'm with you, Retr0gamer: The Japanese text could say pretty much anything and I'd probably prefer it to any English text.
That said, I quite like the look of the Euro art. That big, chunky font is really appealing to me, for some reason.
Anyway, I'm glad to hear you've enjoyed the game as much as you have. I really can't wait to play it myself...
Oh, I hear you, Motherplayer. Really, I should have titled this post "Which Logo Do you Like Best?' but that wouldn't have had the same ring to it :)
Anyway, I completely respect your choice. Of course, you can't go wrong with this game, in my humble opinion.
Hey there, Kamiwoo! I wonder if NOA and NOE had to change the name for some reason -- maybe due to copyright laws or something?
If they didn't have a good reason for adding it, though, I agree with you that the subtitle (or whatever it is) is annoying.
I also agree with you that it's hard to rag on the NA box art due to the simple fact that it's being released. Have you already pre-ordered it, by the way, or are you waiting (like I am) until you can do so through Nintendo.com?
I actually love the NA version. It seems like the most balanced...
Hey there, Justin! Well, I can tell this one is going to get a mixed response. Of course, you'll have that when people are forced, basically, to choose one logo over another.
In regards to the NA version in particular: I guess I wish the "Chronicles" part was a bit more prominent -- kind of like how the Japanese text on the Japanese version's cover is a bit more substantial.
Really, though, it's not a big deal, is it? All of them look nice enough to me. Are you planning on getting this, by the way?
very nice cover of North America
Thanks for the input, Marco! They're all pretty nice covers, aren't they?
I would love to. When does it come out? Maybe I'll have some money then.
I hate disagreeing with you GayGamer >.< But I don't like the European one at all, I think the North American one is the perfect cover. The Japanese is slightly too dull, the European is way too shiny (and the chronicles way to big and obnoxxious for my liking) but I like the NA colour balance and the more demure chronicles logo :)
It's coming out in April, Justin, so plenty of time to save up the $49.99 needed to buy this sucker :)
Trxd: You don't have to worry about disagreeing with me. If I couldn't take that, I wouldn't have a blog! Or at least I wouldn't share opinions that could be easily disagreed with :P
Anyway, I completely respect your opinion. Don't take the scans I included in this post as gospel, though -- especially when it comes to the color balance, etc., of each region's cover art -- as I had a hard time finding good-quality versions of the Euro and Japanese art. In reality, all of them may be the same when it comes to color balance, etc.
@Bryan Ochalla: Yes!
I'm actually kind of surprised they kept the box art basically the same for all regions. I guess they just decided it was the perfect way to sell the game :)
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