Assistant Voice Director for Metroid Dread and the voice of Chozo character Quiet Robe, Stephen Hughes, revealed that the development team at MercurySteam faced the challenging task of developing a brand new language for Chozo. To ensure that the language flows naturally in the cutscenes, they decided to base its syntax on English. This approach meant that Chozo sentence structure would mirror that of English, making it easier for Hughes to recognize word placement and deliver his lines with the intended nuance and emotion. Learning a new language is often about more than just vocabulary; includes understanding and adapting to a different sentence structure. For Hughes, the familiar syntax of English within the Chozo language provided a welcome relief, allowing him to focus on performance without grappling with a completely foreign grammatical structure.
This insight into the development process reveals the thoughtful consideration behind Metroid Dread’s design. By matching the syntax of the Chozo language to English, MercurySteam ensured that the language felt coherent and believable within the game’s universe. For fans, it’s a fascinating glimpse into the painstaking efforts that go into Metroid Dread’s immersive storytelling, highlighting the commitment to authenticity that defines the series.
Interview:
Quiet Robe appearance in Metroid Dread: