Copyright 2024-2025 by GaiaLabs
https://github.com/Azarem/IOGRetranslation
https://github.com/Azarem/GaiaLabs
1.) What is This Patch?
2.) Application Instructions
3.) MSU Instructions
4.) What's New?
5.) About the Project
6.) Special Thanks
What started out as a project to create a baserom for editing Illusion of Gaia expanded into a retranslation. Which then expanded into something of a remaster. It's now growing into kind of a definitive edition. While the game can be played to completion with all new additions as-is, the retranslation script will not be considered complete until Patch 2.0. New features are regularly released in patch updates and bug testing is welcome. Please feel free to follow the journey and join the discussion in the GaiaLabs Discord.
Download the most recent version of the patch. There are three title variants to choose from. These are shown below and have download links for their respective patches. The files are also available to download from the releases page which also has a zip file containing all three title variants.
Download Link: iog_rxlt_143_original_title.bps
Download Link: iog_rxlt_143_enhanced_title.bps
Download Link: iog_rxlt_143_hybrid_title.bps
Download Link: iog_rxlt_143_demo_title.bps
To use one of these patches: download FLIPS, Beat, or use the Online Rom Patcher:
FLIPS - https://www.romhacking.net/utilities/1040
Beat - https://www.romhacking.net/utilities/893
Online Patcher - https://romhackheaven.com/RomPatcher.js-2.9.1
Alternate 1 - https://www.romhacking.net/patch
Alternate 2 - https://www.marcrobledo.com/RomPatcher.js
ROM / ISO Information:
Database match: Illusion of Gaia (USA)
Database: No-Intro: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (v. 20210222-050638)
File/ROM SHA-1: 38DE0C84DD2BC3BDFC0A3D7AB0220C79B70887C3
File/ROM CRC32: 1C3848C0
1.) Download one of the music packs from here: https://www.zeldix.net/t1604-illusion-of-gaiatime-gaia-trilogy-ii
2.) Extract the PCM files into the same folder as your "Illusion of Gaia Retranslated" ROM.
3.) Rename the PCM files to match the ROM filename. Example: if your ROM is named GaiaLabs.smc, your PCM files will be named "GaiaLabs-{number}.pcm", where {number} is the track number in the original name. You want to keep that part.
5.) Make sure you have an empty MSU file to match your ROM: "GaiaLabs.msu"
6.) Use any modern emulator and enjoy the full music experience.
For further documentation and assistance, please see the following link: https://www.zeldix.net/t1607-msu1-getting-started-guide
☄ Graphics: Title scren from the Prototype/Demo is now available, both as an option in the Rom Generator and as a pre-compiled release patch.
☄ Extras: The ROM Generator allows the player to disable the spotlight on Shira during the dream sequence. (Default: Off)
☄ JP Content: The ROM Generator allows the player to choose whether or not to use original purple palette for the Diamond Mine walls. (Default: Off)
☄ New Feature: New Game Plus (preliminary) added. To access it, reset the game after completion and it will now appear on the file select menu. (If you wish to keep your original save, please copy it to another slot before starting New Game Plus.)
☄ New Feature: Added support for Portuguese letter accents.
☄ New Options: The ROM Generator allows the player to choose whether or not to use vanilla (original) textbox borders instead of enhanced. (Default: Off)
☄ JP Content: The ROM Generator allows the player to choose whether or not to use original cross graphic in the church. (Default: On)
☄ Quality of Life: The ROM Generator allows the player to choose whether or not to use a transparent textbox for floating dialogue in the ending sequence. (Default: On)
☄ Graphics: Enhanced inventory text.
☄ Graphics: Removed URL from boot logo.
☄ Graphics: Changed URL in credits to a QR code.
☄ Graphics Fix: The Queen's crown sprite now displays correctly on the Gold Ship.
☄ Graphics Fix: The laborer sprites in the chapel now display properly.
☄ Graphics Fix: Freedan’s Special abilities no longer corrupt the equipped icon palette.
☄ Graphics Fix: The New Game Plus menu option now highlights properly.
☄ Graphics Fix: The equipped item icon and HUD should now be hidden during plane scenes.
☄ Minor Fix: The Jackal / Black Panther name now changes depending on the selected language setting.
☄ Added: Many community script adjustments.
☄ Added: Many missing lines added. (Thanks, L Thammy!)
☄ New Feature: Added a display for the currently-equipped item's icon in the main HUD.
☄ New Feature: Currently-equipped item can now be hot-swapped outside of the inventory screen by holding X and pressing L or R.
☄ New Options: Various game settings can now be toggled to suit the user's taste via the rom generator site located at https://gaiahack.ing/index.php/generate-rom/
☄ JP Content: The ROM Generator allows the player to choose whether or not to use the original JP backgrounds in Edward Castle, Itory, and Great Wall. (Default: On)
☄ JP Content: The ROM Generator allows the player to choose whether or not to use the original JP color palette for the fountain in Seaside Palace. (Default: On)
☄ JP Content: The ROM Generator allows the player to choose whether or not to use the original JP sprites for the Viper boss in Sky Garden. (Default: Off)
☄ Quality of Life: Medical Herbs restore full health as in the JP version, rather than +8 health in NA. (Default: On)
☄ Quality of Life: Pyramid Elevator Speed increased by 2x. (Default: On)
☄ Quality of Life: Pyramid Portals Exit modified for faster re-entry into its sub-sections. (Default: On)
☄ Cut Content: Blue Journal item has been re-added to the game; its method of aquiry and final purpose have yet to be implemented. Please look forward to it. (Default: On)
☄ Graphics: The Crystal Ring item's palette has been adjusted for better visibility. (Default: On)
☄ Minor Fix: English map name-spacing bug.
☄ Minor Fix: Title sequences.
☄ Minor Fix: Credits sequence and timing.
☄ Graphics: Visibility adjusted for doors hidden behind sarcophogi in the Pyramid.
☄ Graphics: Additional minor palette issues have been fixed.
☄ Additional suggestions from the Discord channel have been implemented.
☄ Added a new boot logo designed by andwhyisit.
☄ An item counter has been added to the sprites for stackable items on the inventory screen.
☄ Added an original sprite for the Sky Deliveryman, designed by Azure Mage.
☄ The Flower in Edward Castle's Dungeon has been given new dialogue after the flute has been played.
☄ After completing the Diamond Mines, an optional shortcut back to Freesia has been implemented.
☄ Lillie's text window color scheme has been altered to enhance readability.
☄ Additional names have been added to the credits sequence.
☄ Fixed: Freesia/Freejia name switching in overworld.
☄ Fixed: English map name-spacing bug.
☄ Fixed: A few missing lines of text have been filled in.
☄ Additional suggestions from the Discord channel have been implemented.
☄ Restored backgrounds from Japanese version in Edward Castle, Itory Village, The Moon Tribe Camp, and The Great Wall of China. Animations have also been restored to the backgrounds.
☄ Restored animated title sequence from the Japanese version, localized the logo, and adjusted text. Three versions of the patch are now available: Enhanced (JP Title with NA Logo), Hybrid (JP Title with NA Logo with JP design elements), and Original (Vanilla). We are also considering variants for Illusion of Time's title screen.
☄ An error which was also present in the original NA release, wherein the player could skip a power-up in the Diamond Mine by sprinting up a ramp with specific timing.
☄ An error in which the game would sometimes soft-lock or display other unusual behavior when leaving Dark Space/Area of Darkness.
☄ An error in which MSU1 was not working on SD2SNES.
☄ The Sky Deliveryman now offers routes to South Cape, Freejia, and Watermia. Preliminary work has started for end-game dialogue upon return via Sky Deliveryman, but the new lines are unfortunately not included in this patch.
☄ South Cape NPCs now have templates for additional dialogue when revisited via Sky Deliveryman.
☄ Updates to Chapter 1, including fully revised prologue text.
☄ Enhanced the quality of the font used in the prologue and overworld.
☄ Number of Stackable Items Held Now Represented by a numeral.
☄ Most [WAI] commands have been removed from the code to enhance text readability.
☄ Fixes for Chapter 26.
☄ Additions to the Name Dictionary.
☄ Package folders reorganized.
☄ Minor changes, bug fixes, and adjustments.
While we've added a roster of improvements and changes, care was taken to offer options to the player in how they would like to enjoy this beloved classic. We hope that these new options will help you find a playstyle that you most enjoy!
☄ Title screen has been re-implemented from the prototype.
☄ Original mountain background in Edward Castle has been re-implemented, though the animation has yet to be replaced (coming soon).
☄ Fixes to music playing at improper times.
☄ Map titles and their boxes auto center and size. It's done in intervals of two, so text may have a space before or after.
☄ Handful of item names have been translated (ItemStrings.asm). This is what's seen when the menu opens up.
☄ Also updated location/scene titles now that longer names are possible.
☄ Various bug fixes.
☄ New Translation by L Thammy!
☄ When starting a game, the options menu now offers the choice between the North American localized names (Will, Lance, Seth, etc.) or original Japanese ones (Tim, Rob, Morris, etc.). This option replaced the choice between Stereo and Mono. Stereo is now enabled by default.
☄ Unique borders were designed to better represent the personalities and cultures of the story's characters. The original white border remains in-game, usually being used to describe actions that are occurring.
☄ Now there's a Sprint Button! You can also still sprint using a double-press on the D-pad. This can definitely be considered an accessibility option for those who struggle with or dislike the original method. It also makes Illusion of Gaia play a bit more like its successor, Terranigma.
☄ Dialogue has been made harder to accidentally skip through. Several button inputs that allowed text to advance were disabled to make this possible.
☄ Asset decompression allows scenes to load MUCH faster.
☄ MSU compatibility is included. Instructions for its use can be found in section 2 of this document.
☄ Sky Deliveryman has been added back into the endgame. Aside from the ability to return to earlier locations in the game, nothing about those areas has been changed at this time.
In September of 1994, Illusion of Gaia made its North American debut. The story by Japanese sci-fi writer Mariko Ouhara was notable for being much darker than the other RPGs Nintendo was allowing at the time. Despite a softening of the themes, the plot she weaved went to dark and intriguing places and left players with much to think about. Unfortunately, the localization was also often incomprehensible, with transitions between first and third person narrative that were difficult to follow.
Many years later in early 2020, ResetEra forum member L Thammy would spend roughly two months translating the game that has been so special for all of us and shared the experience with the internet. Through ResetEra's forums, and an accompanying series of subtitled YouTube videos, he succeeded in retranslating Gaia Gensouki. The assistance of fellow forum-users made the process a collaborative endeavor and gave us a more accurate translation. The thread and videos are still worth reading and viewing should you be interested in the actual translation process! As of this writing, both can still be found online.
At some point, a spreadsheet was created to compile all of the screenshots, transcription, raw transliteration, revised translation, and contextual comments. L Thammy expressed approval if anyone was willing to use the translation for a patch, but one would not be produced for a little over four years.
The GaiaLabs tool set for Illusion of Gaia ROM hacking hit the scene and its realization finally became possible. Much like L Thammy's Let's Play, Azarem's personal project would be noticed by others with a love for the game and evolve into a collaborative effort that expanded in scope. It took a long time to get here, but the full depth of Mariko Ouhara's "Gaia Gensouki" can be experienced in "Illusion of Gaia Retranslated."
The GaiaLabs Toolset and further documentation about its uses can be found at: https://github.com/Azarem/GaiaLabs.
Let's Play on ResetEra Forums (with Translation Notes): https://www.resetera.com/threads/lets-play-illusion-of-gaia-but-in-japanese-gaia-gensouki-retranslation-attempt.171584/
Let's Play Video (with Subtitles): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoqdJOVga77Bp2FnXfnrf8KhPoVuF1Xeh
This section is outdated, but we will update it in the near future!
Firstly, to L Thammy who graciously allowed us to use his translation as part of the project.
Also, to CDude who has been an active participant in the streams; contributing to creative choices and bug fixes along the way.
To the staff of Quintet, manga creator Moto Hagio, and sci-fi/fantasy author Mariko Ōhara, whose passion and talent made all of this possible in the first place.
Even to Robert L. Jerauld and the Enix USA staff!
Sometimes, we may poke fun at the original translation, but those working in localization at the time often had insufficient resources and were working on tight deadlines. Jerauld reported in a 2014 interview with Heidi Kemps at Gaming Moe, that he "wanted the story to feel natural, the characters to resonate with people, to feel familiar." Considering the love people have shown for Illusion of Gaia, I'd say they did something right!
