Anybody know if Atlus's Japanese games often come with English subtitles? Anybody in a position to see check one of the earlier Japanese Shin Megami Tensei titles on the PS2 for them? Nothing concrete, but hey, it'd be nice to have some indication that a Japanese import of Catherine would be playable. 
 
Because seriously, I want to buy it as soon as I possibly can, and PS3 games are region free.  

I doubt it (Atlus USA does all the translating, silly), but I wouldn't be surprised if you buy it in a couple weeks after release and someone's already translated most of it (it's smaller then most atlus games, after all)

It's not been said if there will be English subtitles or not.  I doubt that there will be any subbing in the Japanese version of the game for two reasons: like Laketown said, Atlus USA does the English localization and it's not been announced that Catherine is going to be released in NA and also because Atlus places much importance in their localization teams, voice actors and all of that translation stuff.

A full translation job takes time and money.  Not worth it just to boost a few import sales.

Doubt it, as much I would like to play this, I think I can tolerate waiting for the english version.

Too bad. Ah well, I'm feeling reasonably confident that they'll bring it stateside eventually. Maybe I'll buy myself a cheap DS Fat or something and chew through Devil Survivor and Strange Journey in the meantime - the 3DS itself supposedly has at least three SMT games in development for it, but I guess the should-I-buy-a-ds-now-or-wait-for-3ds conflict is a whole other can of worms.

" I doubt it (Atlus USA does all the translating, silly), but I wouldn't be surprised if you buy it in a couple weeks after release and someone's already translated most of it (it's smaller then most atlus games, after all) "

" @drag: It took 5 months for P4 to get released in NA after its release in Japan.  Not counting Europe 'cause that's always an anomaly. "

" Too bad. Ah well, I'm feeling reasonably confident that they'll bring it stateside eventually. Maybe I'll buy myself a cheap DS Fat or something and chew through Devil Survivor and Strange Journey in the meantime - the 3DS itself supposedly has at least three SMT games in development for it, but I guess the should-I-buy-a-ds-now-or-wait-for-3ds conflict is a whole other can of worms. "

Atlus localizes their games with English voice acting.  Subtitles aren't an option.  They could always make an exception for Catherine, but I doubt that they will.  Even so, their localization staff is of such quality that an English voice track shoudn't be seen as a bad thing.  Persona 3, 4, and Digital Devil Saga are all evidence of that.

does anyone know if there is japanese audio with english subs for the US version?

@DeltaDreamer said:

does anyone know if there is japanese audio with english subs for the US version?

It's the English Dub. From what I know, there are no plans for Japanese VO as DLC or anything.

does anyone know if there is japanese audio with english subs for the US version?

And you can't turn off subtitles either. Why the fuck do I need subtitles when it's in English? There is no excuse for the lack of that option.

Because of their fucked up audio mixing.

And you can't turn off subtitles either. Why the fuck do I need subtitles when it's in English? There is no excuse for the lack of that option.

Hmmm, that's weird that I missed that. There aren't many things in the options menu. I'll check again when I get home.

@FluxWaveZ said:

@Tesla said:

And you can't turn off subtitles either. Why the fuck do I need subtitles when it's in English? There is no excuse for the lack of that option.

Press start. Turn subtitles off.

You are wrong. You have to press R1 to bring up an entirely different options menu that is used only for turning subtitles off. Thanks for almost being helpful though.

You are wrong. You have to press R1 to bring up an entirely different options menu that is used only for turning subtitles off. Thanks for almost being helpful though.

@FluxWaveZ: Too bad you didn't mention the fact that you have to press start only during cutscenes. You were too focused on being a smartass. Which is why I said you were almost helpful.

@FluxWaveZ: The subtitle option toggle is needlessly confusing. I went to the options via the main menu before starting the game, and there was no subtitle option. I paused the game during gameplay, again no subtitle option.

I was on the landing or whatever it's called, and I accidently hit R1 and it brought up a small box in the top right of the screen that finally had the subtitle toggle.

So hey, maybe you weren't trying to be a smartass. My bad.