Since the release of part one of the Final Fantasy VII Remake Trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Remake in April 2020, audiences have analyzed localizations and translations of dialogue in the game across multiple languages, including the original Japanese, English, French, Italian, Chinese, Korean, and German.  Throughout these exhaustive comparisons, it has been concluded that only the English localization/translation of the game significantly deviates from the original context of the Japanese version of the game, particularly in specific scenes or in regard to specific characters and relationships. 

As a result, the narrative of the game that has been presented to English-speaking audiences is inconsistent with the narrative delivered in the Japanese version of the game.  Fan audiences have concluded that this is an intentional decision on behalf of Square Enix North America (SENA) to localize the game within a different context for Western/North American/English-speaking audiences.

In retrospect, some of the localization decisions can be attributed to regional/and or cultural contexts.  However, significant instances of localization changes to narrative context impact characterization and character relationships. These changes present a negative perspective of characterization that is inconsistent with the original source material.  These contextual changes primarily impact Tifa Lockhart and Aerith Gainsborough, the two female heroines of the game, but affect other characters and narrative elements that concern major areas of the plot.

Examples (Ongoing WIP)

We understand that localization is a delicate matter and that all contexts may not be preserved 100% accurately to the source material.  However, the evidence demonstrates a deliberate decision to develop and market an altered version of the game that promotes characterization that is inconsistent with the plot and the narrative that was written by the game's original Japanese creative development team.

English-speaking audiences overwhelmingly want the same story delivered to them that every other linguistic, cultural, and national group receives.  Therefore, we are asking Square Enix North America (SENA) to keep the localizations/translations of further parts of the Final Fantasy VII Remake Trilogy consistent with the Japanese vision and release of the game.