Version Differences

When The Legend of Dragoon was ported to North America - and later, Europe - several changes were implemented. Some of these involve the swapping of red and blue coloring throughout the user interface. Other changes include a global decrease in the toughness of enemies encountered in battle. This page provides as much data as is currently known to the fanbase.

Color-coding & Controls

Each of the following line items are based on the original Japanese release. For all ports, the controls and color were swapped.

• When browsing equipment in the Armed sub-menu, the Japanese edition displays red numbering for a stat increase, and blue numbering for a stat decrease.
• When performing additions, the Circle button is used to chain the combo while the X button is used to bypass an enemy's attempt to counterattack.
• The use of magic attacks marked with "(multi)" require the player to repeatedly press the Circle button, where the X button is required for other editions.

Difficulty Adjustment

When LoD was released in Japan, the game developers observed that the difficulty was too high. This prompted them to enact a global stat nerf for all minor mobs and bosses in future releases. For example, foes in general were given a 20-25% reduction in HP. Note that some had more severe reductions. The Mountain Ape who had 1,800 HP in the NTSC-J edition was given only 1,000 HP in the NTSC-U/C edition. Further, the PAL editions included an additional, though partial reduction in difficulty for some foes. This means that some enemies have at least three sets of stats across all versions. One example of this would be the boss character Zackwell. His HP was reduced from 15,000 (NTSC-J) to 12,000 (NTSC-U/C) to 8,000 (PAL).

In addition to this, damage from item magic was increased for the NA port.

Pocketstation Minigame

Due to the Pocketstation's international release being canceled, Legend of Dragoon has a minigame exclusive to the Japanese edition of the game. This minigame, loosely "MoGuru Dabas," is a game about Dabas going on underground adventures for gold and treasures. The player would assume the role of Dabas, excavating tunnels underground. Gold and treasure acquired here can then be transferred into Legend of Dragoon. In the original Japanese release, it was intended for this minigame to be the main source of gold in LoD. As a result of the Pocketstation being canceled internationally, gold values were greatly increased in the ported editions of the game. Typically, gold rewarded from foes is increased by 300% or three times as much as what they reward in the JP release.

Dialogue

Some text was changed between the two English versions for NA and EU. In the Hero Competition, if defeated by Serfius he will still lose. In the NTSC-U/C edition, the attendant indicates that "his illness has gotten worsen." In the PAL / UK port, this is altered to read: "his illness has got worsen." In another, more cultural example, all instances of the word "bastard" in the NA release were changed. Even the Bastard Sword equipment was renamed to Long Sword. Names previously shown in red color were changed to have yellow coloring in some cases.

Most curious is probably the name of the Moon. In the Japanese guidebook, the game developers cite the Moon's full name as the Everlasting Moon (this part is written in English by them). For the NA release, it got changed to The Moon That Never Sets. This is probably a creative liberty and is understandable at first glance. However, the strange part is that the PAL UK release returns to calling it the Everlasting Moon. Exact reasoning for this back-and-forth is unknown.

Other

• In the original Japanese release, failing to survive the battle with Lloyd in the Hero Competition long enough to witness the scripted finishing move will result in a full "Game Over." The player will be required to start over from their most recent save file. However, the NTSC English version of the game allows the player to progress normally even if they don't survive long enough to witness the scripted finishing move.
• According to website The Cutting Room Floor, the damage dealt by magic and item magic is increased for the NA and EU editions. It does not say if that is due to increased base power or a reduction in enemy MDF, but no further info or confirmation was ever provided on this point.
• One of the Dragoon magic spells, Demon's Gate, is censored in many editions. In the original release, Rose's animation includes red blood dripping to the ground. Most ports had this censored to black drops, to make it appear less gruesome and more fantasy-friendly.