The country of Wales, Welsh culture, Welsh mythology, and Cymraeg (the Welsh language) are referenced in video games far more than people might realise. From the biggest mainstream hits to smaller games by independent studios, Wales is a major attraction to developers and has influenced the design of many characters, locations, lore, and even weapons.
Here, Wales in Games highlights a selection of video games that reference Wales in different ways.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3
Nintendo of America’s initial reluctance to localise the original Xenoblade Chronicles game on Wii has inadvertently led to pleasing results for Welsh voice actors, as Nintendo of Europe took the reins to bring the Japanese role-playing game outside of Japan. The English language version utilised British talent, and the sequel is where Welsh actors got their chance to shine.
Nia, the often cynical cat girl, is the most prominent Welsh accented character in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, portrayed by Catrin-Mai Huw. The Welsh actress heavily leans into her distinct cadences, ensuring Nia stands out among the cast’s diverse range of characters. Nia isn’t an anomaly in the game, either, as the entire Gormotti race, which Nia is one of, is voiced with Welsh accents, including Milton being played by Welsh actor Gerran Howell, lending coherence to the region these feline-like people reside in.
Gormotti characters return in significant roles in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, with Mio and Juniper voiced by Welsh actors Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Lilly Hart, respectively. Other Welsh actors in this title include Scott Blaidd as Dillon, Charles Dale as V, and Gerran Howell returned to voice Joran.
Some Welsh language was even incorporated into the third title, with the location of Llyn Nyddwr translating to “Spinner Lake” in English.
Civilization V
In Sid Meier’s Civilization V, the Celtic military leader Boudica (known in the game as Boudicca) is voiced completely in Cymraeg, the Welsh language, by Welsh actress Sian Reese-Williams. Although the queen of the ancient Iceni tribe was believed to be based in the eastern part of Britain, the spoken tongue of this revered warrior was likely linked closely to Old Welsh, which developed from the Common Brittonic language in use during Boudica’s time. With Cymraeg still widely spoken today, using this accessible language for the in-game depiction of Boudica makes a lot of sense.
In the 1st century, Boudica led a failed revolt against the Roman Empire after destroying several Roman-occupied cities and armies. Although the attempted revolution didn’t succeed, Boudica, known in Welsh as Buddug, left a lasting impact across Britain.
In addition to this major Welsh reference, Civilization V allows players to found Celtic cities of real places from Wales, including Caernarfon, Conwy and Aberystwyth. An amusing achievement can also be achieved, called “Longest. Name. Ever.” by founding the second-longest place name in the world – the real Welsh village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
Final Fantasy XVI
The Iron Kingdom in Final Fantasy XVI is heavily inspired by Celtic culture. Many of the citizens of this region feature Welsh accents, most notably antagonist High Priest Imreann.
The location of Caer Norvent also borrows from Cymraeg, with the Welsh word “caer” meaning “castle”, “fortress”, or “stronghold”. Given the number of castles all over Wales, it makes sense this city drew its naming inspiration from the language.
The Magus Sisters have been a recurring trio of characters throughout the Final Fantasy franchise, but their male counterparts in Final Fantasy XVI are known as the Magus Brothers. However, instead of the names Sandy, Cindy and Mindy, the three foes that can be fought in this game are known as Sandwydd, Cindwydd and Mindwydd. Given the Magus Brothers’ brutish “tree”-like size, this may be a reference to the many Welsh tree names that incorporate the word gwŷdd, meaning “trees”, which mutates to the -wydd suffix.
The Magus Brother enemies even perform a move called “Crea y Cwm”, which is Welsh for “Create the valley”.
Destiny 1 and 2
Two weapons in Destiny feature Welsh names: the Uffern HC4 and the sidearm Pryderi-D.
In Welsh, “uffern” means “hell”, while Pryderi is a prominent figure in Welsh mythology, and the only character to appear in all Four Branches of the Mabinogi, the Welsh literature that featured the earliest prose stories in Britain.
The sequel, Destiny 2, introduces a vehicle named Dinas Emrys, featuring a red and white colour style, and a red dragon logo. This name may reference the place in Wales called Dinas Emrys (“Emrys’ City” in Welsh), while the logo surely draws inspiration from the red dragon on the Welsh flag.
The game continues the Welsh references in the form of location Gofannon Forge. In Welsh literature, Gofannon was a smith god, and the son of the goddess Dôn.
Finally, appearing in both Destiny games, the Abyss Defiant auto rifle may also contain a Welsh reference. The weapon’s flavour text, which reads, “We will not go quietly.”, may derive from the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’ literary work, “Do not go gentle into that good night”.
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars
The English localisation for Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars, takes plenty of inspiration for its character names from Cymraeg, many of which relate to the Welsh word “wyn”, meaning “white” or “pure”. Given that plenty of characters in other language versions of the game also relate to colours, it is likely that names with “wyn” in them were purposely used because of their link to the Welsh word for “white”.
The character Heddwyn’s name may derive from the Welsh poet Ellis Evans, whom won numerous Welsh poetry competitions and was bestowed the bardic name “Hedd Wyn”. In Welsh, “hedd” means “peace”, but the full name is better interpreted as “blessed peace”.
Wynifred’s name may reference the Welsh Saint Winifred (Gwenffrewi in Welsh), while the burly Berwyn can derive his name from the Berwyn mountain range in Wales, where Cadair Berwyn is its summit. Berwyn is also the name of a Welsh village.
Ewyllyswyn’s name comes from the Welsh words “ewyllys”, meaning “will”, and “wyn”. Sherwyn continues the theme of characters with “wyn” in their name, which, again, can be linked to the colour white.
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
There are many references to the Welsh language and South Walian dialect in Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies. The towns and locations of Porth Llaffan, Tywll Cave, Cuddiedig Cliff, and Newid Isle reference the Welsh language in their names.
Porth Llaffan (“porth” being the Welsh word for “port”) is the home for many characters that speak in a distinct Welsh style. Since the game doesn’t have voice acting, the localisers adapted by spelling words how many South Walians pronounce them, such as “yooer” for “your” and “mooer” for “more”. Welsh words such as “bach” (“small”) and “bara” (“bread”), as well as regional words like “boyo”, “tidy” and “dab” were incorporated to emphasise the dialect further.
Amusingly, the creature being worshipped by the locals is Lleviathan – a name alteration of the mythical sea serpent known as Leviathan, except using the Ll digraph letter commonly used in the Welsh language. If you know even a small bit of Cymraeg, it will be difficult for you not to pronounce it this cleverly adapted Welsh way! In addition, closely tied to the events in this part of the game is a character called Dylan Jones, which are both common Welsh first and last names.
Koudelka
Koudelka takes place in the fictional Nemeton Monastery in the Welsh town of Aberystwyth. A “nemeton” was a sacred space in ancient Celtic religion, usually consisting of sacred groves or other natural shrines where the Celts held ceremonies.
Main character Koudelka Iasant was born in Abergynolwyn in Wales. She states this was a small town near the Taliesin river, which itself may reference the mythological Welsh bard Taliesin. Taliesin is also the name of a village that is situated fairly close to Abergynolwyn, and the legendary grave of this famous poet is said to lie nearby.
Koudelka creator Hiroki Kikuta and his team took a research trip to Pembrokeshire in Wales, and were inspired by the location’s scenery, steep cliffs, ruins of the castles and monasteries, and the gloomy atmosphere caused by the cloudy and rainy weather conditions. These factors all greatly contributed to the design and setting of the game, particularly St Davids Cathedral’s medieval appearance, which the developers heavily based the Nemeton Monastery on.
The plot of Koudelka also draws inspiration from the mythological Welsh story of Branwen in the Four Branches of the Mabinogi, where one of the characters in the game, Patrick, sets events in motion by attempting to revive his dead wife through a magical cauldron.
Koudelka spawned the Shadow Hearts series, and the ruins of the Nemeton Monastery reappear in Shadow Hearts and its sequel, Shadow Hearts: Covenant. The latter game also sees the main characters travelling through the Rhondda Mine, referencing the real coal mines of Rhondda in Wales.
Battlefield 1
A World War I melee weapon called the Welsh Blade is featured in Battlefield 1. It is engraved with the Welsh words “Dros Urddas Cymru”, meaning “For the honour of Wales”, just as some of the real life knives were detailed. The weapons were handed out to members of the 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1917, and was used with great success during a raid on Messines Ridge, days prior to the Battle of Messines in Belgium.
The game has a codex entry regarding the Welsh Blade, reading as follows:
The “Welsh Blade” was a leaf-shaped dagger, designed by armorer Felix Joubert and distributed among British trench raiders, machine-gunners, and bombers at the Battle of Messines in June 1917. Its blade was much broader and thicker than most knives, making it more of a slashing weapon. Outfitted with a hand guard, a wrist-loop, and a “skull-cracking”-pointed pommel, the weapon was a robust addition to the arsenal of close combat trench weaponry.
RuneScape
Although the pronunciations aren’t always exact to the Welsh ways, RuneScape‘s elven race is steeped in Welsh references through their individual names, clans, and the regions they live and come from.
The area of Tirannwn’s name can be split into two Welsh words: “tir” (“land”) and “Annwn” (the Welsh Otherworld). The village of Lletya is a Welsh word meaning “lodge”, while Isafdar combines the Welsh words “isaf” (“lowest”) and “dar” (“tar”). The elven city of Prifddinas is a Welsh word meaning “capital city”, and the original world of the elves is Tarddiad, which translates from Welsh to “origin” in English.
The elven goddess is named Seren, which is the Welsh word for “star”, while some of their clans are Welsh influenced, including Meilyr, Amlodd, and Iorwerth. A selection of the Welsh (or Welsh-like) names of the elves are Bronwyn, Gruffydd, Meredith, Cynog, and Iestin.
Bravely Default II
The citizens of the religious city of Rimedhal in Bravely Default II feature Welsh accents, with many of these characters bearing names that are Welsh in origin. A number of popular Welsh voice actors lent their talents to the game, including Kimberley Nixon as Martha, Kezia Burrows as Gladys and Margaret, Rhys ap Trefor as Galahad, Rhydian Jones as Helio, and Matthew Gravelle as the young dragon Gwilym.
While Galahad’s naming origins may lie in the legend of King Arthur, Gwilym is the Welsh variant of the name William, and Gladys perhaps derives from the Welsh Queen Gwladys.
Have you played any of these games? Which are your favourite Welsh references?