Halloween article time!!!

I've written a little article about Ningyo no Rakuin, an obscure Japanese PS1 horror RPG from 2000 that's finally receiving an English fan translation under the title The Curse of Ogaeritō.

Interestingly (to me, at least), the original Japanese name roughly translates to Brand of the Merfolk, although it's not really a game about mermaids. Instead, it's heavily inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, particularly The Shadow over Innsmouth, with mysterious cults, disturbing creatures and plenty of cosmic horror. I've always found these forgotten Japanese games fascinating, especially when dedicated fans put so much effort into making them accessible to English-speaking players. With the translation arriving just in time for Halloween, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to cover a little of the game's history and the people responsible for bringing it back into the spotlight!

Hope some here enjoy this one :)

all 2 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 3 points 5 days ago

Started it last night. Controls are taking some getting used to. And I know I'm bad at games, but I died on each of the first two missions. The graphics and style are so nice though. Really looking forward to spending more time and getting into it.

  • source
  • Oh, hey, I'm pretty sure this is the game Punchy covered a while ago! I'm sure he'll be glad to be yet again proven wrong that the game he thought would never get an English translation did in fact get an English translation.

  • source
  • 6 comments in c/games@lemmy.world view that post
    [–] 16 points 6 days ago

    Translating stuff is hard. Translating a videogame is even harder. Translating an obscure PS1 Japanese videogame with insane character limit in sentences is something that deserves a lot more applauses than it will probably get.

    Huge congrats to the people involved.

  • source
  • [–] 8 points 6 days ago

    Just downloaded and patched this. It comes with translated ads, back inlay, and manual. You can rename these files to match your patched .bin/.cin and drop them in the respective /backcovers, /fanart (this is where I put one of the ads), and /manuals for Emulation Station to have easy access to them.

    Sorry if that's obvious to some of you, I just think it's cool to keep this all bundled together on my main gaming system like that.

  • source
  • [–] 3 points 6 days ago (2 children)

    Would posting a link violate Rule 6?

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 1 point 6 days ago

    Fantastic recommendation! Way before H.P. Lovecraft cast his quite racist eyes towards the sea in horror, Japanese folklore had a long list of stories with many horrific sea creatures. I do remember vibidly that capturing a mermaid will spell one of the worst fates to those who attempt it.

    Maybe that's why Call of Chtulhu is so popular as a ttrpg.

  • source