Winner: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Writeup by Jono Logan
Have you ever heard the infamous, overly edgy English dub of the original Yakuza?
It’s… not great. In fact, it was so bad that subsequent Yakuza games only included the original Japanese performances. This changed with 2020’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which finally delivered English performances true to the series’ spirit. Since then, every Like a Dragon game, including this 2025 gaiden, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, has featured an English dub, which has become the preferred way to play for many fans. Starring famed voice actor Matthew Mercer as Majima, the dub of Pirate Yakuza not only captured the character’s chaotic nature but also delivered long-awaited English versions of many of the series’ karaoke songs. I never imagined an English “24-Hour Cinderella” could work so well, but that just shows how polished the localization is. Hopefully, this high bar for localization will continue to be hurdled in future entries.
Runner-Up: Octopath Traveler 0
Writeup by Zach Wilkerson
Octopath Traveler localizations have always been nothing if not creative and varied (looking at you, H’aanit). That might not be as true with Octopath Traveler 0 because of its structure, but that doesn’t stop the team from really leaning into the deliciously over-the-top storytelling the series loves, particularly with the villains. Most of them are just so evil, and I can only imagine the smile on the localizers’ faces as they brought magnificent baddies like Auguste and Pardis to life. Frankly, in an age where many villains “have their reasons,” it’s refreshing to see writing where they’re not afraid to lean into the silliness of so many of these stories. Really, it’s MARVELOUS!
