Summary
The saying goes that if someone speaks three languages, they’re trilingual. If two, bilingual. If they know one language, they are American. As the country becomes even more culturally diverse, it is more important than ever to learn new languages to communicate. Given the significant population of the Latinx community in the country,Spanish is one such language that is worth learning.
If someone wants to practice Spanish, then video games are one option available. Most video games include built-in language options. Depending on the setting of the title, Spanish not only changes the character dialogue and navigation menus, but can also bring a more authentic experience to some favorite games.
7Yoku’s Island Express
Spanish And Pinball?
First, imagine a platformer. Then,make it a Metroidvania. Then add pinball mechanics. The result isYoku’s Island Express, where a dung beetle becomes the new mail carrier for a tropical island, navigating mazes and challenges with pinball flippers.
The setting ofYoku’s Island Expressbrings to mind some of the tropical rain forests in Central America, with its bright greens, quirky creatures, and grand waterfall. Seeing characters’ dialogue in Spanish feels right at home in this context. Also, the fact that the language can be swapped on the fly is good for beginner learners.
Scribblenauts Unlimitedis a charmingly simple game on the surface. The hero must solve problems around town by summoning objects, people, and creatures by writing them in his notebook.The number of possible solutionsis where the game really shines.
Scribblenauts Unlimitedcould be a good basic vocabulary tool for English-speaking children. Solving the puzzles is already creative enough, but solving them in Spanish can help the language stick in a child’s brain. Having to not only envision something but also use the right words will help connect the two, increasing retention.
When young Alba visits her parents on an island in the Mediterranean, she discovers that a giant hotel will be built on top of a neglected nature reserve. It is up to Alba todocument the wildlifeon the island and gain enough support from its residents to save the sanctuary.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventurehas bits of Spanish popping up in the English language setting, with her grandparents referring to each other as herabueloandabuela, the Spanish words for grandfather and grandmother, respectively. Alba can also listen to a Spanish radio broadcast early on at a food stand. Setting the language to Spanish feels as if one is truly traveling the world.
Sky: Children of the Lightis Thatgamecompany’s follow-up to their minimalist masterpieceJourney. It takes the mechanics and art design of its predecessor and fleshes it out intoa cozy massively multiplayer online game.
Gamers from many nationalities inhabit the world ofSky,speaking languages such as Chinese, Arabic, and of course, Spanish. While in-game translation is an option, talking to someone else in their native language is a rewarding experience. It creates a great sense of human connection, reminding one that everyone fundamentally is more alike than they may realize.
The final entry of Crystal Dynamics’Tomb RaiderSurvivor trilogy seesglobe-trotting archaeologist Lara Croftin Mexico, where she takes an ancient dagger from a Mayan temple deep under the earth. This triggers a catastrophic chain of events which will usher in the apocalypse if Lara does not act.
Several language options are available in-game, including having most of the characters surrounding Lara speak Spanish. This is a perfect fit for the setting, including when Lara navigates a crowd at the start of the game that celebrates the Day of the Dead.
The President of the United States tasks Leon S. Kennedy to find his daughter inResident Evil 4.On his journey, he will discover mind-controlling parasites, a dangerous cult, and a conspiracy against America.
Leon’s search brings him toa remote villagein Spain, where he finds the infected locals trying to kill him. Many enemies that he encounters already speak Spanish. While Spanish dubs for other characters are not available, subtitles are an option, which feels especially appropriate for ladies' man Luis Sera.
Juan Aguacote is a simple agave farmer in Mexico. One day, a supernatural being abducts the President’s daughter. Donning a superpowered luchador mask, he must go ona Metroidvania adventurein order to rescue her.
Guacameleeis a love letter to Mexican culture, including the quiet villages and, as DrinkBox Studios describes on the game’s home page, “traditional Mexican culture and folklore.” Switching the character dialogue from English to Spanish creates a more immersive experience, making one feel as though they are truly among the Mexican people.
