Top Games in the Lunar Series: Which One Reigns Supreme?

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Summary

  • Lunar Remastered Collection enhances visuals, audio, and voice work for Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete.
  • Lunar: Dragon Song lacks iconic voice work but maintains classic charm. Lunar Legend and Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete are notable remakes.
  • Lunar Remastered Collection is the definitive way to experience the Lunar series with quality-of-life improvements.

The Lunar Remastered Collection gathers two of the most impactful and delightful Role-Playing Games (RPGs) from their era. Notably, since its initial launch on the PlayStation 1, the second game, titled “Lunar: Eternal Blue,” has never been ported, remastered, or re-created in any form. In contrast, the first game has been remade multiple times across different platforms; however, many fans still regard the Complete editions on the PlayStation 1 as the ultimate versions.

This assemblage is a revamped edition of the PS1 versions of the Lunar series, published by Working Designs. It includes fresh voiceovers, enhanced graphics, reworked sound effects, and various user-friendly enhancements. Although there have been multiple attempts to restart the series with remakes, remasters, and prequels, it’s worth evaluating how these endeavors compare to the Lunar Remastered Collection.

8. Lunar: Dragon Song

A Fun But Flawed Prequel

In the realm of re-releases and enhancements, the game Lunar: Dragon Song distinguishes itself as a comprehensive prequel, taking place 1,000 years prior to *Lunar: Silver Star Story*.

The tales in this series are typically delightful with their whimsical, animated style, but the plot in Dragon Song is arguably the least compelling. However, it’s still quite watchable, as viewers join Jian on his mission to become a Dragonmaster and save mankind from a formidable horde of beastmen.

7. Lunar Legend

A Scaled-Down Remake Of Silver Star Story

Lunar Legend represents a compact adaptation of the original Lunar: Silver Star Story tailored for the Game Boy Advance (GBA). The GBA was home to several remarkable JRPGs, like Golden Sun: The Lost Age, which showcased the potential of Nintendo’s handheld console. Another title that didn’t receive enough attention was Lunar Legend, boasting colorful sprites and a meticulously designed universe. Although it missed out on the contentious localization quality provided by Working Designs, it still delivered an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, due to the constraints of GBA cartridges, all voiceovers and stunning anime cutscenes were excluded from this version.

6. Lunar: The Silver Star

The Classic JRPG Original For The Sega CD

Originally, “Lunar: The Silver Star,” which debuted on the Sega CD, was a groundbreaking game that left fans in awe due to its innovative use of cutscenes and top-notch music. Even when compared to other classics like “Chrono Trigger,” it stood out as something exceptional during the 16-bit console period.

As a gamer, let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised by how much the remake of Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete outshines the original in terms of combat, visuals, and flow. It’s always fascinating to delve into where it all began for a series, and this game still stands strong with its storyline and characters that surpass both Lunar Legend and Lunar: Dragon Story.

5. Lunar: Eternal Blue

The Classic Original Sequel For The Sega CD

Lunar: Eternal Blue” is a follow-up, taking place a millennium after “Lunar: The Silver Star.” Although it boasts minor visual upgrades, the gameplay and presentation have seen significant enhancements. While the voiceovers and sound effects were quite impactful for their era, they might seem somewhat exaggerated and inconsistent when compared to contemporary games.

In the early to mid-1990s, adding voiced sequences and captivating anime cutscenes was something new. However, it’s not just a trick; it infuses character personality and adds an extra layer of appeal to this already delightful and timeless JRPG.

4. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete

Reworked Voice Work And Translation

As a gamer, I can confidently say that I find Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete to be a significant step up from the original version. Despite maintaining its classic 2D 16-bit aesthetics, it boasts more vivid and lively color palettes, meticulously designed towns, dungeons, and monsters that have aged exceptionally well in this format rather than transitioning to 3D.

One of the aspects I appreciate most is that Alex, the protagonist, now has a voice, adding depth and personality to his character. Additionally, alterations to Luna’s story serve to enrich her characterization.

She chooses to accompany Alex and Ramus over remaining on her own, as in the initial text. The voice acting, animated scenes, and music in this game are still top-notch within its genre. Unlike many contemporary games that aim for darkness, gloominess, and melancholy, Lunar Silver Star Story still offers a refreshing change with its essential optimism and childlike innocence, much like a classic Saturday morning cartoon show.

3. Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete

The Superior PS1 Remake

In essence, the enhanced version of “Lunar 2: Eternal Blue” served as a testbed for improvements that were eventually incorporated into “Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete.” Furthermore, “Silver Star Story Complete” underwent substantial modifications to its narrative, enhancing character growth and interaction. Regrettably, the enhanced version of “Lunar 2: Eternal Blue,” namely “Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete,” didn’t embody as many advancements and alterations, remaining quite faithful to the original content.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the quality of the remake, even though it doesn’t introduce any fresh plot twists. The enhanced voice work in the PlayStation 1 version of “Eternal Blue,” thanks to the diligent localization by Working Designs, surpasses the original Sega CD version for me. Similarly, the reimagining of “Silver Star Story” by Game Arts and Japan Art Media is nothing short of exceptional. With more detailed sprites, captivating new animated cutscenes, improved voice acting, and a refined soundtrack, it’s a testament to their dedication to the original.

2. Lunar: Silver Star Harmony

A Stunning Remake With Updated Visuals And Backstory

The recently updated versions feature all the initial Lunar games, yet it’s a pity that the comprehensive remake, Lunar: Silver Star Harmony, hasn’t ventured beyond its PSP boundaries to become part of the Lunar Remastered Collection.

The towns and dungeons have been tastefully reworked, yet remain comfortably recognizable to longtime followers of the series (despite a few reduced village house sizes), while still preserving the enchantment of the originals. To complement the visuals, the music has undergone a revamp, featuring familiar tunes that sound more captivating than ever before. Lunar Silver Star Harmony also incorporates the auto battle formation and strategies, which are part of the remastered compilation.

1. Lunar Remastered Collection

The Definitive Way To Play The Lunar Series

This collection, titled Lunar Remastered Collection, offers improved editions of the games Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete. It’s designed for PlayStation 1. Some notable additions include updated voice acting, a revamped soundtrack, optimized inventory management, clearer graphics, upgraded anime scenes, battle tactics similar to those in Lunar Silver Star Harmony, and the ability to speed up auto battles to three times their original speed.

Sadly, “Lunar Silver Star Harmony” isn’t part of this collection, however, JRPG enthusiasts can now obtain “Eternal Blue” at reasonable prices without resorting to costly auctions on online marketplaces. This compilation provides the optimal method to immerse oneself in the Lunar universe, and we can only hope that they will re-master “Harmony”, leading to the development of a third installment in the Lunar series.

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2025-04-19 22:18