Back in 1993, when Lunar first launched in North America, it quickly stood out in the budding Western scene for Japanese RPGs. It was packed with vivid, animated cutscenes, ample voice acting, and top-notch music, but what really captured players was its heartwarming story and engaging characters. It wasn’t the pioneer of CD-ROM-based JRPGs, but it sure left a lasting impression on everyone who experienced it.
Following its debut, the series expanded with a sequel, remakes on the PlayStation, a PSP version, and more, broadening Lunar’s fanbase. Now, three decades later, both Lunar and Lunar 2 are making their way back to the PlayStation with the new Lunar Remastered Collection. To understand what makes the Lunar series special and to rekindle fond memories for die-hard fans, I sat down with Matthias Pergams, Producer at GungHo Online Entertainment America.
“Lunar was one of the earliest JRPGs to embrace the CD-ROM format with animated scenes, in-game voice, and even a theme song,” Pergams comments. “The series built a devoted following both in Japan and overseas, setting trends for the genre. It holds a notable spot in gaming history.”
While Lunar and its sequel have seen multiple remakes and releases on different platforms, there was a decisive reason for using the PlayStation “Complete” versions as the foundation for the remasters. Pergams explains, “Each version has its own appeal, and we debated a lot. Ultimately, the PlayStation version, with its unique qualities, felt the most representative of the series.”
Curious about what changes fans might notice in this remaster, Pergams assures that the main story and gameplay remain faithful to the originals. “We wanted to preserve the original vision by GAME ARTS since it still holds up today,” he elucidates. “Yet, we’ve added various enhancements for smoother gameplay, like an adjustable Battle Speed-Up option, a unified inventory system in Lunar 1, and custom AI behavior settings during battles in the first game.”
In addition to gameplay enhancements, the remaster offers both a ‘Classic Mode’ with vintage PlayStation 2 graphics and a CRT filter for an authentic retro feel. Fans nostalgic for the original look might appreciate these features.
Pergams eagerly highlights the visual updates, which encompass remastered graphics, enhanced in-game effects, a polished UI, and updated animated cutscenes. An exciting adjustment in this version is the expanded screen to suit modern televisions. Although these visual upgrades are a delight, the beloved voice acting has seen an all-new cast brought on board. On selecting the new voice actors, Pergams adds, “We carefully preserved each character’s identity with the voice choices, ensuring they resonate true to their personalities.”
With fresh cutscenes and newly recorded vocal tracks by the voice actresses, Pergams also shares that they are respecting the roots of the original Japanese game. Additionally, a brand-new song titled “Looking up at TERRA” is featured on the game selection screen, composed by Iwadare, which has fans eager with anticipation.
Touching upon the closely guarded animated cutscenes, Pergams describes the painstaking process of updating them while honoring the original content. He confirms that key individuals from the original team contributed insights during development, ensuring every detail remains true to the series’ origins.
Among the returning creatives, character designer Toshiyuki Kubooka has provided fresh illustrations, much to the delight of fans. Pergams relays Kubooka’s excitement over reuniting with the beloved characters, likening it to a reunion with old friends.
Though thoroughly cherished in North America and Japan, the Lunar series never had a substantial presence in Europe, save for a PSP release. Pergams expresses delight at introducing the remastered Lunar 1 and 2 to European audiences, inviting new players to dive into the classic adventure of friendship, heroism, and love.
For those stepping into the series for the first time, Pergams advises making full use of recovery items, which can be pivotal in boss battles. He also encourages players to experiment with the Auto Battle system and the Speed-Up feature for smoother gameplay progression.
As this remastered collection seeks to bring new life to the classic series, it wraps nostalgic elements with modern enhancements, ensuring both returning fans and newcomers can enjoy the magic of Lunar.
