Change Language, Subtitles & Controller Settings in a Chinese PC Game

This guide walks you through changing the language, subtitles, and controller settings in a Chinese PC game. Whether you’re dealing with a game that defaults to Chinese or one that only offers Chinese in its menu, these steps will help you navigate the interface and get the settings you want. You’ll learn how to find the options menu, switch languages, enable subtitles, and configure your controller, even if you can’t read Chinese characters.

What You’ll Need

• The game installed and running on your PC.
• A basic understanding of common game menu icons (gear for settings, etc.).
• If the game is on Steam, the Steam client (for language override options).
• If the game uses a launcher (like Epic or a Chinese platform), access to that launcher’s settings.

Step-by-Step

1. Launch the game and wait for the main menu. Look for the main menu screen. If the game opens into a splash screen or intro video, press any key or click to skip it.
2. Find the settings menu. Look for a gear icon (⚙), a wrench icon, or a button labeled with the Chinese character “设置” (shèzhì, meaning “Settings”). In many games, this is in the bottom-right corner or under a “system” menu. If you see a row of icons, the gear is almost always settings.
3. Look for the language option. Once in settings, look for a tab or section that says “语言” (yǔyán, meaning “Language”). It might be under a “General” or “System” tab. Alternatively, look for a globe icon or a flag icon. If you see a list of languages, select your preferred one (e.g., English, 日本語, etc.).
4. If the language option is not in the in-game settings, try the launcher or platform. For Steam games, right-click the game in your library, select “Properties,” go to the “Language” tab, and choose your desired language from the dropdown. The game will download the necessary language files. For other launchers, look for a similar language setting in the game’s properties or settings page.
5. If the game is not on a platform that offers language override, you may need to edit a configuration file. Navigate to the game’s installation folder (commonly C:\Program Files (x86)\...\[Game Name] or via Steam’s “Browse Local Files” option). Look for a file named config.ini, settings.ini, or options.txt. Open it with Notepad and look for a line like Language=Chinese or Language=zh-CN. Change it to Language=English or Language=en, save the file, and restart the game.
6. Adjust subtitle settings. After setting the language, go back to the settings menu. Look for a tab labeled “字幕” (zìmù, meaning “Subtitles”) or “显示” (xiǎnshì, meaning “Display”). You may find a toggle for subtitles. If you want subtitles in a specific language, ensure the game’s language is set to that language, as subtitles usually follow the audio language.
7. Configure controller settings. In the settings menu, look for a tab called “控制器” (kòngzhìqì, meaning “Controller”) or “手柄” (shǒubǐng, also meaning “Gamepad”). Here you can usually remap buttons, adjust vibration, and set dead zones. If the game doesn’t automatically detect your controller, make sure it’s plugged in and try pressing a button. You may need to enable “Controller Support” in Steam (Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings) for non-Xbox controllers.
8. Apply and restart. After making changes, look for a button that says “应用” (yìngyòng, “Apply”) or “确定” (quèdìng, “OK”). Some games require a restart to apply language changes. Save your settings and restart the game if necessary.

Common Mistakes

• Changing the wrong file: Editing the wrong configuration file or corrupting it can cause the game to fail to launch. Always back up the file before editing.
• Not restarting the game: Many language settings only take effect after a full restart. Simply returning to the main menu may not be enough.
• Assuming all menus are in the same language: Some games have the UI language separate from the audio and subtitle language. You may need to set both.
• Overlooking platform-level settings: For Steam games, changing the language in-game may be overridden by Steam’s language setting. Always check Steam’s properties first.
• Forgetting to save: In some games, you must click a specific “Save” button before exiting the settings menu, or your changes will be lost.

Tips

• Use your phone’s translation app: If you can’t find the right menu, use a translation app to point your camera at the screen. This can help you identify the correct buttons.
• Look for universal icons: Gear for settings, globe for language, speaker for audio, controller for input. These are often language-independent.
• Check the game’s official forums or community: Many games have guides or discussions about changing language settings, especially if the game is popular in both China and the West.
• Try the game’s .ini file for advanced options: Some games have hidden settings that can only be changed by editing the config file. Look for terms like “Language”, “Subtitle”, “Controller”, or “Gamepad” in the file.
• If you’re using a Chinese platform like WeGame: The platform itself may have a language setting that affects the game. Check the platform’s settings before launching the game.

Troubleshooting

• Game still in Chinese after changing language: First, double-check that you saved the settings and restarted the game. If it’s a Steam game, verify that Steam’s language setting matches your desired language. If you edited a config file, ensure you edited the correct one and that the game didn’t overwrite it on launch. Try launching the game as administrator.
• Subtitles not showing: Make sure subtitles are enabled in the game’s display or audio settings. Some games require you to enable subtitles separately from the language setting. Also, check if the game has a “Subtitle Size” or “Subtitle Background” option that might be off.
• Controller not working: First, try a different USB port or a wired connection. If using Bluetooth, make sure it’s paired correctly. In Steam, go to Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings and enable support for your controller type (Xbox, PlayStation, Generic). If the game has a controller configuration, try resetting it to default. For non-Steam games, you may need to use a tool like x360ce to emulate an Xbox controller.
• Game crashes after changing settings: This can happen if you edited a config file incorrectly. Restore the backup you made, or verify the game files through Steam (right-click > Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files).
• Language option is greyed out: Some games lock the language to the system locale. You may need to change your Windows system locale to the desired language (Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region > Administrative language settings > Change system locale). This is a more advanced step, so be cautious.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I change the language to English if the game only has Chinese? It depends on the game. Some games have multiple language files included, while others are region-locked. If the game is on Steam, you can try the Steam language override. If not, you may need to download a language pack from the game’s community or modding sites.
• Will changing the language affect my save file? Usually no. Language settings are typically stored in a separate config file and do not affect save data. However, it’s always a good idea to back up your saves before making any major changes.
• How do I turn on subtitles in Chinese games? Look for the “字幕” (zìmù) option in the display or audio settings. It may be a simple on/off toggle, or you may be able to choose the subtitle language separately.
• My controller is detected but buttons are wrong. How do I remap? Go to the controller settings in the game (usually under “控制器” or “手柄”). Look for a “Button Mapping” or “Key Binding” option. You can usually select a button and press the new key/button you want to assign.
• Is there a way to change the language without opening the game? Yes, for Steam games, you can change the language in the game’s Properties before launching. For other games, you might be able to edit the config file in the installation folder, but you’ll need to find the right file.
• What if the game is in Chinese and I can’t read the menus at all? Use a translation app on your phone. Point your camera at the screen, and the app will translate the text in real-time. This can help you navigate the menus and find the settings you need.

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