The main difference between this and the sega cd version is the final boss is drastically different. This feels like an older game because it was just an updated version to the sega cd. I personally love the story and cut scenes over combat but the game still holds it's own.... it will always be one of my faves because nobody has done voice acting and cut scenes like working designs ....square tried and did quite horribly lol
@@jaysea5804 There's a lot more major differences than just the last boss. Several big changes, and many minor ones. ***(SPOILERS for anyone seeking to play on their own)*** The whole Vile Tribe bit is *barely* even touched on, and mostly only gets brought up when talking about The Frontier. Ghaleon outs himself much sooner. *All* combat is random, and even the overworld has combat. And Luna actually stays behind when going to Meribia, and isn't seen again until Ghaleon does his twist, then again near the end of the game (makes fights like the sewer dragon a lot harder)
@@jaysea5804 'bout what I remember, from the maybe two times I played the remake. Not having heals early game (outside of food, and the, admittedly plentiful, overworld shrines) hurts a LOT in dungeons full of invisible monsters. xD
I will never understand why so many people have that high of an opinion of this game. I am SO glad I found this reviewer because everything she days in this review, I have always thought. I am a writer myself so am always on the hunt for rpgs with great story. Lunar is the most by-the-numbers, basic, made for kids version of an RPG you could POSSIBLY get. "Youre the hero because you have the green eyes!" "Shes the special girl who sings so well it clears evil forest fog". None of it is BAD. Its just plain, basic, and childish. I understand art is subjective. But this game came out within the range of FF6, Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, and Suikoden 2. Kinda in the middle of all those. Xeno deals with deep philosophical issues. Suikoden 2 delves into a major war and lets you see the motivations of both sides and experience love, tragedy, loss, and redemption. Lunar is a fun green eyed boy destined to be a dragonmaster on a great adventure! There just is noooo comparison. Its objective. If Lunar is your favorite RPG then you mustve only played it when you were a child and are looking back through rose tinted goggles i suppose because while it is a FUN rpg, its contemporaries are GREAT RPGs.
It's true that Lunar does nothing to revolutionize the JRPG genre, but that's why I like it. If you want to play a JRPG that simply takes the classic formula and perfects it, Lunar is great. Here there is no crazy magic or crafting system you need a guide to make the most of. The battles are traditional turn-based with no nonsense. The story isn't convoluted, the characters aren't trying to be hip or edgy. The overall feel is just so upbeat and wholesome, almost as if Studio Ghibli was making a 90s JRPG. The criticisms in this video are valid, but I still find Lunar has so much to recommend it that it's still one of the best JRPGs of the 90s. 100% behind the the recommendation to play Suikoden though. That game is amazing. If you care about JRPGs at all both the Lunar and Suikoden games are musts.
I don't read it like that. I feel like a game doesn't need to be revolutionary, but always has to be unique (or try to be). This game doesn't feel like it wanted to be unique.
@@vagabundorkchaosmagick-use2898 It has a level of carefree charm in its design and atmosphere that the other big JRPGs at the time lacked. The closest thing would be Grandia, also by Game Arts.
Eternal Blue is just an upgrade on all levels in my opinion. It still shares a lot of the inventory issues, but the characters have more depth to them, the story is a lot grander with bigger stakes, and it even has a post game. The combat is more or less the same but there is a lot more variety. You can also dash a little bit to avoid enemies and Ruby is a lot more proactive in battles than Nall.
@@ShinjiIkari1 Personal opinion but I don't think lunar 2 can match 1 when it comes to charm. Also it was really missing an intro song. Helps get me in the mood and also if it's catchy, it's kind of encourages you to boot up the game. I know both games broke the 4th wall but I think eternal blue did that just a bit too much. I wasn't able to finish it.
As I'm struggling to determine what supposed to be enjoyable about the "innovative" FFVII remake combat system atm, I can't agree with this statement more. There's something to be said for doing the simple things right rather just throwing a bunch of "innovation" at RPGs.
It was my first JRPG and honestly, I am not a fan of JRPGs but this game and Eternal Blue complete are among my favorite games to this day. I love them so much that I even have dreams of finding Lunar 3 in retro video game shops or a thrift store and getting to play it. Lunar 3 will probably never exist, but it is something I will always hope for.
This review is from a 2022 perspective. When you knew nothing other than N64 games and then played Lunar your socks were blown off when you saw those animations and experienced the gameplay. Sure in retrospect there may be other games that were “better” but that doesnt mean that today gamers should disregard this game in favour of others (your final comment). Another thing you didnt mention was the beautiful soundtrack. The music coupled with the story immersed the player and It was so emotional. Overall I think you were a bit too hard on Lunar but I still love your reviews Pam!!
Without a time machine it's hard to write from the perspective of any other year. I am just comparing it to games on the same system around the same timeframe though.
A tad bit harsh of a review but overall good points made. I always thought this game was criminally underrated to be honest. It's not groundbreaking like you explained but not every game needs huge innovative features to be fun and interesting. The music is SO good too.
Top two PS1 games on my list - Lunar Silver Star Story Complete and Vagrant Story. Stories are just the best and it's not all about graphics and what people would expect from a game today.
The translation is what sets this apart. Just bizarre and fun in a way that most RPGs from the era weren't. Beautiful pixel art too. Was very disappointed that the PSP version dropped both the translation and the art style.
I recently started recollecting retro videogames. I'm 35 btw I got a old paw and just bought and played this. I truly loved the story and the characters music and the universe in general. I thought it was funny and had good humor. The rpg elements were not too in-depth and nothing was too easy or difficult. I recommend any rpg fan or anyone wanting to try a rpg to play this game. P.s. I really miss switching discs in games. It was like getting the next episode in your favourite show or sequel movie. It's a special feeling forever lost to the future lest we go back to the past
this is one of my favourite jrpgs. Only just discovered it about a year ago, but I was completely blown away. the music is incredible. the boat song is forever legendary and I'll never forget it.
this game is actually a port of Lunar Silver Star Story, originally released as an exclusive for the Sega Saturn in Japan and only later ported to the PS 1 I don't know why your calling Alex a "chosen one", NO one in the game calls him a "chosen one" as if he was pre-destined to be a Dragon Master, it was Alex's dream to become a Dragon Master and he became one on his adventure... and the character archetypes where kind of fresh and original for JRPGs back when the game first came out on the Mega CD/Sega CD.. and only became more common in anime and JRPGs over the years. This remake introduces mechanics in battle that where not common to other JRPGs from the mid 90s. The whole point of the game is the thrill of adventure and traversing across Lunar's world, and the growing friendships between the characters. I don't think any of the characters where "boring" at all and they all had their own memorable personalities given life by the excellent voice acting...
Yea I always find it funny when RUclipsrs go back & review older games & than there opinions usually go “ I see why people love this game but it just feels so archaic/ unpolished/ unoriginal” well yea it’s 20+ yr old game lol They review by comparing them to current day games & that’s not how these older game reviews should be
Omg what an Awesome RPG, I forgot all about this! :) The music comes flooding back. This is a surprise, thank you \o/ When this 1st was released, 92, the western market was starved for RPGs, & there was Nothing artistically compared to Lunar. The 96 remake was a labor of love. The animation and Music set it apart, Working Designs elevating that made it very appealing (alongside the top-notch packaging).
I'm wondering why you didn't mention the music of lunar. That in my opinion is the highlight of the game. There isn't one bad piece of music score in lunar. In fact music and singing is one of the major focal points in the 1st half of the story of the game. Good review, although I was confused when you said it released in 96. Yes it did but, in Japan for the sega Saturn. You were reviewing the playstation version. It didn't release on playstation till 1999. Just thought I'd let you know.
@@Cannotbetamed1 I liked the boat song but, I don't like alot of rpg music with words. My favorite music is the battle music against the last boss. The suikoden games had great music. My all time favorite rpg as far as storytelling, characters and music would have to be chrono trigger. What are some of your favorite rpg's and music to rpg's?
It would be a total shame if the Working Designs translated Sega CD version and its sequel don’t make it onto the US Genesis Mini 2…. Amazing adventures and stories on both games.
@@kainemaxwell I looked on eBay and cib version on PS1 isn't that expensive. I like to buy the physical to have before I emulate it lol and play on a TV with speed boost and such.
Lunar is easily one my top 10 JRPGs of all time. I bought it day one on the Sega CD and the enhanced version on PS1 and PSP. I still love to go through it from time to time. That said, I bought it when it was new and at the time it was the best the genre had to offer in 1992, IMHO. I played just about every JRPG on SNES, and Genesis/SegaCD at the time. I think if you played it back then it had more of an impact and lasting impression.
I have extremely sweet, fond memories of this game and Lunar: The Silver Star. I had loved the Sega CD original, which was a standout in its time, and I was so excited to play the remake for the Saturn (Luna actually travels with the boys to Meribia rather than stay behind in Burg? Wow!). Of course, the Saturn version got canned outside of Japan, but thankfully I had a PSX, too. I preordered this game (maybe the first game I ever did that with), and I still have the Ghaleon punching puppet preorder bonus to this day. The game sticks to the classic RPG formula, but I loved the characters and the humor and just the adventure overall. I do like the Sega CD version a bit more though, as it's shorter and less filler-ish.
OMG I haven’t thought of this game in ages. Lunar was the first JRPG I fell in love with back in ‘94. I had the Sega CD version and would play it for hours on end. I bought its sequel, Eternal Blue (?), in ‘95 and loved that as well. I remember me and my brother each had our own playthrough of Lunar and somehow my brother’s got deleted. The Sega CD had notoriously small storage, you could literally only save three Lunar files and the memory would be full, so accidental deletion happened from time to time. Anyway, we decided to team up on my playthrough and finished it together. Days of our mom bringing us Gatorade and scrambled egg sandwiches in my room as we played because we wouldn’t leave. Fantastic times. Thank you for this lovely video and the great memories it brings up. You’re awesome. Big Ups!
Don't let Nall hear you calling him a cat! Always loved the Lunar games since i got them back in the 90s for the Sega CD. Actually just last year i finally coughed up the dough to add Lunar and Lunar Eternal Blue Complete to my small library of PS games. I sure hope you got a nice slipcase for that box to keep it protected (it was nice to see that someone did indeed make custom slipcases for both the Lunar boxes). Working Designs has always made great cover art for their games but those Complete releases were extremely nice. Cloth map made me feel like i was opening up an Ultima game heh.
Your comments are rude and unnecessary. It’s obvious you don’t like the game but now you’re just gaslighting. Why would you trade in one of the rarest and most expensive games for the system. Youre entitled to your opinion but no need to be so defensive or gaslighting in your comments.
Wow, no mention of the beautiful soundtrack? Who can forget "Wind's Nocturne"? There are not many soundtracks I'd put above it! At the end of this game, I felt a deep connection with the characters, and didn't want the story to end. The story really tugged at my heart strings, and I remember watching the closing moments of the game with a lump in my throat.
working designs was not the developer. They just ported the game over from Japan. Their translation was legendary but they also screwed with the difficulty too much. Working Designs also ported over Dragonforce for the saturn, so yeah... they did some pretty cool stuff back in the day.
Lunar is definitely is one of my top RPGs of all time, top 5 even. I loved it because of it's simple but effective storyline, and the fact that you get to be a Dragon Master is so cool! I bought this game on the Sega CD and I loved it so much that after more than a decade, I got it on the PSP. It's honestly one of my favorites. The intro song is incredible!
I have so many things to say. "It feels like a game made in 1992." I agree. I've always said this game is more like a "best of"/highlight reel of rpgs before Chrono Trigger and the PS1 rpg era. Like if you never played any of the original, old school console rpgs and you were to pick one to give you a sense of what they were like this is the one you would want. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it takes what worked in those early era rpg games from the 8 and 16 bit generation like Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star 2-4, Dragon Warrior NES games, Ultima, and YS among others) and puts the best aspects of those games into this one. YS 1 and 2 in particular in terms of the story as Game Arts was founded by former Falcom employees who had a falling out after YS 3 (long story short that wasn't supposed to be an YS game but the higher up's went behind the developers backs and altered their game into an YS game and it really pissed them off). In essence this is almost a traditional rpg version of the original YS 1 and 2. Similar themes and premises just done a little different. Personally this is my favorite rpg (though I like the sega cd original intro music more but that is a me thing for sure) It is also the most relaxing rpg I've ever played due to the presentation and music. I have listened to the soundtrack in my car many, many times. It also has my favorite video game moment of all time when the singer's band (no pun intended) together in an act of defiance. That part was pure video game magic and gave me the feels. Though I will confess the combat does get mind numbing after a while. I usually just watch stuff on RUclips while playing through parts I know I'll be battling for a good chunk of time. And, yes, the inventory is the one thing I hate about it no questions asked. It is atrocious. However it's actually an improvement over the sega cd version as that one allows you to get rid of an item you need to beat the game and it's literally seconds from the very end of the game when you need it making it unbeatable if you removed it for inventory space. This version doesn't let you remove that item, thank Althena!
Probably one of the greatest role playing games ever made, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience and own both the original SEGA CD versions and the PSONE remakes. younger generations need to experience this. If not on the SEGA MEGADRIVE/GENESIS MINI 2 then these games should be released in a compilation for the SWITCH, PS4, and XBOX ONE.
I have the PSP digital version.. I definitely have to do a second play through one of these days.. It was one of my favorites.. I actually got a kick out of Kyle!
This is my favorite game out of every one of them. The story and character development are wonderfully done, the battles and level scaling feature for bosses are fun and do require a bit of strategy to keep you on your toes, how beautifully done the world design and animations along with the voice overs were really good. Maybe its my bias because my name is alex and the mc is alex but this is 1 of 2 games i can play over and over again and still enjoy almost moment exceot myghts tower ughhhhhh i hate that map.
The original Lunar for Sega CD was my first RPG. I was so excited to play this, I actually imported the Sega Saturn version from Japan, which came out in 96. (The US version of Complete didn't come out for the Playstation until May 99.) I used an FAQ and walkthrough to help me get through the game in Japanese. While I admire a lot of the enhancements to the story made in this, I greatly prefer the soundtrack in the Sega CD version to the one here.
I'm completely behind you on that one I love the Sega CD version way more. But still admire what they did with the artwork sound and direction making it a little bit more like lunar 2 on the Sega CD
So, I will agree that there are some things that keep the PS1 version from being a standout against all others. Still, a lot of what it was is because it's a remake of an earlier game. Honestly, when the first Lunar The Silver Star for the Sega CD came out it did have some new and somewhat revolutionary things in it. The fully voiced cut scenes were very innovative back then when few other games had ANY VAs at all, even if the animation was a bit more limited. The combat, while still turn-based did have a unique (for the time) feature of your characters having a movement stat and restrictions on how far they could move in a turn, also the multiple attacks weren't very common that I recall. Though they don't have the depth of some modern game characters, all of the party members were interesting and unique enough for the time. (And really they have more personality than 95% of Suikoden characters even though I absolutely love that series too) Though if you thought that inventory was limited in the PS1 version, well you should see the OG game. You had to equip items into the same space that your weapons/armor were equipped in order to use them in battle and you only had maybe 8 slots total but in both games I never found inventory a problem, rather it was intended to just be another element of strategy, just one that needed to be dealt with pre-combat. I actually found these individual inventories much easier to deal with at times than games like the Final Fantasy Series, hunting through a list of 1,000 items to find the one I want but can also understand how it could be hard to deal with, and Suikoden 1 at least had individual inventories as well, with no communal one at all. As far as the rarity of MP recovery items in the early game, I'm pretty sure that this was intentional. You weren't supposed to spam your magic every fight, you had to play carefully and usually try to save most of it for the bosses. And the magic system was completely redesigned too for PS1. Alex used to be a powerhouse caster once he got magic, getting many versions of fire-based spells (not to mention the dragon spells later) to use and no physical MP-using skills at all. PS1 also introduced variable ability bosses, with their stats based directly on Alex's stats and that made for some interesting experiences. The simplified magic system did make for repetitive battle strategies though, I can agree with that. I honestly think if you had played either version when they first came out (especially the Sega CD one), you might have different opinions, but I still do respect the opinions from your video.
I agree with your review, it hasnt aged all that well. But after a break you should try Eternal Blue as well, it's quite abit better, both when it comes to story and gameplay.
2:04 are you high?! The game is nothing like any other jrpg on the PS1, or any other console or generation. LUNAR 1 and 2 are 1 of a kind. The music, story, battle system, English voices, dialogue, localization, everything is excellent. Top tier if there ever was one.
Pam is the best at retro video game reviews. This game kind of reminds of, Secret of Mana I also think that the art box was one of the best for a ps1 game. Hi Pam, I love the color of your hair.
Bought this verdion of the game for $49.99 decades ago. I owned the two Srga Cd games, too. I sold them all to Funcoland around 2001. I had a nice little collection of physical games for NES, SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, 32x, Saturn,PS1,Gameboy. I sold them because I was running out of space to store them, and I somehow knew that at least some of them would be easy to get back. I have never been attached to physical copies. As long as I can play the games, I'm happy. Let's just say that there are many ways to play many of the classics, and it is with that I am satisfied. But still...that really was a.nice collection I had. Great memories. Oh, I still have that Lunar book and map in a plastic bin somewhere. Didn't sell the game with those. I knew their value as collectibles, I suppose.
I remember playing Lunar on Sega CD when i was a kid, then again later on play station. Luna is in my top ten games. P.s. I still know Luna's song by heart.
While I never played this game, I played the heck out of its sequel, Lunar 2 Eternal Blue Complete back in the day. Awesome game! And you get even more stuff when you purchase that game than you did in the first one! I really need to play the first one as they make a lot of references about this one in Lunar 2. I agree with you. Lunar 2's battles were also a bit tedious and repetitive throughout the course of the game. While I enjoyed the game tremendously, I much prefer Skies of Arcadia for the Dreamcast if I were to pick a JRPG. I highly recommend it!
Yeah, the Luna/Alex romance, while sweet, is a bit weird for the reason you mentioned. Also, that basically everyone kinda treats it as a foregone conclusion they will get together. Like the romance is actively encouraged.
All they had to do was make Luna be adopted by the neighbors and make Alex and Luna best friends since childhood. Problem solved. That's always been the one aspect of the story that made me scratch my head and ask "why?"
Hey I'm one of the folks behind LunarNET and I really enjoyed this (quite fair!) review! Some aspects par for when it was released in Japan have aged pretty poorly. I enjoy all of it regardless but find myself enjoying replays of the original TSS for Sega CD much more -- the design had fewer quirks and a lot of aspects that made it interesting for its time still held up. SSS for PS1/Saturn updated things but lost some of the feel of it. One thing notably that changed in the remake, is that the battles were quicker and had more distinctive strategies in the Sega CD original (no Sword Dance, had to be judicious about magic use). They ported over a lot of Eternal Blue's interface but didn't quite redesign the rest of the game to suit it, imo. Oddly, I enjoy the sequel (Eternal Blue) much more, which has fewer changes between the original and remake, and a more similar battle system, but it seems to work better. I got much more into the world/story for that one also.
( Also if anyone else is about to ask, yes our site is about as outdated since the PSP remake came out ages ago and that was the last update of note. we're aware, sorry 'bout that =/ )
What Lunar lacks in complexity and challenge, it makes up for in heart and personality. The graphics don't push the Playstation 1 to its limits but they are cute and colorful. The characters are literal flat 2-D cardboard cutouts, but they're charming. The dialogue is witty, even if the Working Designs translation is controversial at times, and all the villagers have multiple things to say, and you can go back to towns in different parts of the game and they'll have even more things to say. And it's obvious the people who made the game loved working on it, so much that they kept remaking it. I replay it whenever I am stressed and just need the video game equivalent of a warm cup of cocoa to cheer me up. And there's a secret code on the "Making Of" disc that lets you play a remake of the Atari game Warlords where the bases are character portraits and they change and say funny things as they get damaged... so it has a special place in my heart and apparently many other people as well.
In spite of your reservations on Twitter, I think this was an extremely fair review, explicitly stating your opinions on the game based on your own personal views. I can't imagine anyone will have an issue with it. Great review!
Did you collect the bromides? You mentioned in the review that you enjoyed something in your other favorite RPGs that made each unique - bromides were unique to Lunar. Thanks for the review.
Good morning everyone! As a super fan of the two games that working designs created. Lunar silver star story and lunar 2 eternal blue. Were by far the most innovative games in its time. I personally collected every item every Easter egg in both games. My personal belief is that either Sony or some other high profile game developer should bring the two games to the new generation. By releasing the two games in its original content and remastered with higher graphics. This could introduce the potential of maybe a third chapter in the future. Working designs created something absolutely beautiful and I pray that in the future I will be able to play them both once again
Of all the hundreds of rare games I lost in a house fire, this game, Shadow Hearts, Alundra, Azure Dreams, and a few others are ones I miss most because I never finished them.
Those are excellent games. I really miss playing Alundra. LoZ gameplay, with a jump button and a story as dark and soul crushing as the void itself. Shame it never got a sequel. "Oh but actually-" SHAME. IT. NEVER. GOT. A. SEQUEL.
Although I have more positive opinions on Lunar, as always you do a great job of explaining your thoughts in your reviews. Whether you end up liking them or not, I always look forward to hearing your opinion on video games.
this is my first ps1 rpg game when i was in HighSchool. growing up i still played this in my pc using emulator... and now i still play this in my android phone using emulator.
I got it when it came out on ps1 and I still own it. It's one of my personal prized possessions. I'll never get rid of it lol I'll be an 80 year old man still holding on to that game.
Certainly has more to it. Story, characters, depth. Illustrations that are just crisp-er enough without being a completely new style. Hate the way they handled saving though. 'hmm.. should I level this skill, or save?' Should have been free, and it's own thing. But I guess it makes you think just a little more about what might be up ahead. (can't remember it the remake changed that though)
@@LeoMidori I was talking about the original (sega CD), and said i didn't remember how the remake ('Complete') handled it. You could still save wherever you wanted, but the original had the Mp/Xp used for both leveling your spells, and as a Save Currency. It really sucked sometimes.
One thing I really love about playing this game is the auto healing you get, but the first cave is brutal with the low levels the characters start with.
Love this absolutely amazing game & series so very much! New subscriber just discovered you the other day but I can safely say you’re also absolutely amazing and cool as all hell. Pleasure to watch your vids about games that came out when I was a kid but also newer ones too
I absolutely fell in love with this game. I was blown away by the cut scenes and I was on a mission to get the soap to see the bath cutscene. I still have my OG copy of this today.
Another great review that includes a bonus for me. I can happily take this one off my backlog now that I know that it's a bit generic overall. Thanks! Love the channel!
While I respect your opinion I disagree. For it's time, Lunar was definitely a top tier RPG. While some aspects have aged, the game has loads of charm and it's one I consider a must play among RPGs.
PSP version is inferior because the item system made the game way too easy in the original you could only equip a few items before battle in the psp you could use all your stock items and items are OP
You mentioned that when it comes to this genre, you like games that do something different and this made me wonder if you've ever played Grandia for the PS1. It's an RPG that's always been in my top list due to it's combat and, in my opinion, it's the game that has the best sense of adventure in the most literal sense. I'm recommending you consider trying it if you haven't played it.
@@LarixusSnydes That first bit ends pretty quickly, thank god. In my opinion, the game really begins when he leaves town. I also forgot to mention that I was laughing a lot with Justin's and Sue's antics. Over the years it's gone up higher on my list of favorites. It's definitely my favorite RPG before the PS2, with Chrono Trigger and FF IX being second and third. Unfortunately, I rarely meet anyone who has played it and when I do hear of someone who is familiar with the name, it turns out they played the one that came after.
I was 9 when I played this game. I absolutely loved the story. I hate to hear that it wasn't challenging enough for you. I don't remember just spamming sword dance. This is hands down one of the best RPGs I've played among the FF games, Chrono Cross, and on.
Had this as a kid. There's a secret hidden on one of the discs in the edition you have, and I must admit, I spent more time on that than the actual game. One of the characters will tell you how to access it at some point in-game, so I'm withholding spoilers in case someone cares.
@@Cannotbetamed1 It's nothing super special, and it's best with other people, but things like this feel like relics of a bygone era and I can appreciate that. It does say quite a bit, however, that even as a kid I had more fun with an easter egg than this remarkably mediocre RPG.
One of my favorites!!!!! I still have both games that came out a long time ago for the sega cd that I saved up money for as a kid sitting on my shelf here in my game room
I appreciate the honest review. I'm sure it's tempting to just pander to Lunar's loyal fanbase (of which I am apart). But despite being accurate in some of your criticisms, I would argue they're unfair. Lunar is a 92/93 game made as an answer to Final Fantasy 4, not 7 or 8. Its 1999 rerelease was intended to preserve a part of gaming history (hence the beautiful box) and make it accessible to the 99% of gamers that never owned the expensive Sega CD. So yes, compared to Star Ocean, the battle system is incredibly tedious. But when you compare it to its actual contemporaries like Lufia or 7th Saga, it fares much better. And for those who think context is irrelevant, imagine a film critic complaining about a Charlie Chaplin film for its lack of color and sound. Games changed quite a bit from 1992 to 1999.
If I were to compare it to FF4 I would say they’re both tedious and have boring combat. This version is a remake and not just a port. The story changed, combat changed, I think it’s fair to compare it to games that came out around it.
@@Cannotbetamed1 I could be wrong, but GameArts did not rebuild Lunar from the ground up as a remake would entail. It's the original game with the graphics and sound enhanced, anime cutscenes replaced, and aspects of the story and gameplay altered, but not new. That's a remaster, not a remake. And that distinction doesn't even need to be made for the prospective retro gamer since Lunar's design is not representative of late 90's JRPGs. FFIV has a boring battle system by today's standards. In 1991, it was the most exciting game I had ever played. So concerning your comment on it, I have to ask (rhetorically): why review retro games at all? Obviously, you don't have to like them all. None of them are perfect. As a viewer, I feel you can do better on pointing out a game's legitimate flaws and elaborate on its unrealized potential. I wish you every success in building your channel.
@@Cannotbetamed1 I would disagree that FFIV is a tedious game or has boring combat. Game is short, like 15 hours. Combat is quick and snappy due to ATB. Sure, it's kind of simple but definitely not tedious. Have you played through the game? Is a classic and stands the test of time full stop. May not be your cup of tea and I understand not having nostalgia for it but the squaresoft snes classics are classics for a reason
Lunar 2 is one of my favorite RPGs ever. Granted, 1 is good. I actually prefer the Sega CD version but that could be nostalgia talking because that was the first one I got to play, being one of 5 people who owned a Sega CD in Utah. But I'll defend the Sega CD version for being unique. Alex doesn't have sword skills in that version. He doesn't even start with magic. Magic users are rare in Lunar and they definitely elevate one's combat prowess. You can totally see how magicians would become snobbish and opt to just create their own utopia in the sky, where only the talented magic users can reside. "Wait, if Alex doesn't get magic, does that just mean he's like Ramus, attacking throughout the game?" No, he gets it in Meribia. You can definitely feel how much stronger and versatile Alex is once he's imbued with fire magic, it really adds to the setting of the game, seeing how a regular kid becomes a pyromaniac (he never learns any sword skills in the Sega CD version) In fact, everyone in your party at the end is a magic user, except for Kyle, who just has his physical skills (that still consume MP but whatever). It just shows that unless you're like peak human condition, you just can't compare.
Having never played the game before, I decided to look it up after watching this, and your video was the 3rd result on Google. I'm already a subscriber but thought it was pretty neat.
I loved this game as a young teen. Anime, fmv, and cd track in video games were all really new to me and made a big impression on me with this game. Revisiting it later I agree with a lot of what you say. It's mostly nostalgia, but I still find the game charming. Great video!
I loved all of the characters and the humor of the game. Course I was 15 when I first played it. I get that it doesn't do anything original but it does what it does well. The combat can be samey but if you use strategy you can end many fights in one turn which I loved. I've been in love with this game since it released and my wife has played it with me as well. Will always love this game.
played this first on Sega CD took me ages to even bother with this version. It is the superior version over the two but Sega CD Lunar will always have a special place in my heart because it was the game that brought me to RPGs. Also the music is pretty awesome.
Pam!! Great video. I have so much childhood nostalgia attached to this game. There was a shop called “Game X-Change” down the street from us back in the 90s/early 00s and the collectors editions from Working Designs were displayed in the glass case up front. My brother and I would marvel at them, and after saving from our birthdays we were able to get both Lunar SSSC and Lunar 2. I’m happy to say that I STILL have both of these boxes to this day. Though I haven’t played either game in well over a decade, they both have a special place in my heart. The mana issues were definitely an annoyance and inventory management was tedious for sure. You know what actually had me stuck for a good hour? The very end when you ascend the stairs toward Luna and have to play your ocarina. 10 year old me had no idea what to do and I kept dying over and over 😂 I’m really glad to see one of my favorite RUclipsrs/Game enthusiasts cover games from my childhood. You do a great job! Take care.
That's awesome that you hung onto both of the games. I got really worried at the end of the game that I was going to die because I did not think to save my game after defeating the boss.
Im gonna let my nostalgia take over here for this comment. This game is one of my all time favorites when i was a punk kid getting into rpg everything. Its easy to play it now and he like, "meh". But if you played it when it was out in 99 or 2000 thus game really hit you hard in so many ways. The best parts of this game are the story and the music! The ending is so beautiful and powerful for its time it still gives me chills when i think about it to this day. Obviously therr are some other fantastic JRPGs that were available at this time but Lunar was and always will be one of the best games I ever played in my youth. Buy an original PS1 and buy this game and play it the og way.
Great review! This one has a special place in my heart, since I played it when I was a kid, but having replayed it just a year or so ago, I can definitely agree with all your points. 😅
You can tell from the critiques she never played the Sega CD version, which this was ported from. I bought this game Day 1 in 1992 for the Sega CD and this game is a gem to me. This game, Lunar2, Vay, Arc the Lad and Popful Mail are still of the best games. Working Designs will always be the developer that went that extra mile.
Hi Pam, nice video and i really like that honest thought and review about this games that is considered a high value JRPG. I didn´t play the PS1 version but i played it the version in PSP and it was was difficult to feel that the game caught you with what was happening and etc since the story itself is not bad at all but the combat system was not attractive or interesting enough to keep the hours of play. In the end I could never finish that game, I don't remember how far it went but I ended up leaving it aside (maybe on 6th or 7th boss or something like that), a shame because i was liking the characters and the story itself. That box in PS1 it seems very wonderful to be a package and even a soundtrack and the artbook and map for the time it was released. I have a question have you ever played the Legend of Heroes Saga (The ones in Trails of Sky and forward like Trails of Azure and Cold Steel)? I think this saga is one of the underrated in the JRPG and the first three in Trails of Sky even in PS1 being old are really nice. They are now in Steam too.
This review is on us fans. Gushing about a series endlessly gets a hype train rolling that can't be lived up to. People hear our rave reviews endlessly and when they load the game up and haven't came their pants in the first hour, they aren't pleased. When you miss something when it was new and try to jump into it after things have changed, even if you can recognize why it's so revered, you won't be able to see it the way the fans do. Ocarina of Time and Super Mario RPG get the same and, like I said... we're to blame.
I don't know about that. I played it for the first time about 5 years ago (or whenever the Switch was released) and it became my favorite rpg. Some games just connect with others and other games don't.
By modern standards, Lunar is very much the epitome of mid-tier JRPG By 1992 standards, when the competition was Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Lufia, and Breath of Fire, Lunar was a solid 9-10/10, with it's animated cutscenes, and voice acting, being revolutionary.
I say a couple times in this that the PS1 version released in 1996, it actually released in 1999. It was the Saturn version that came out in '96.
The main difference between this and the sega cd version is the final boss is drastically different. This feels like an older game because it was just an updated version to the sega cd. I personally love the story and cut scenes over combat but the game still holds it's own.... it will always be one of my faves because nobody has done voice acting and cut scenes like working designs ....square tried and did quite horribly lol
@@jaysea5804 There's a lot more major differences than just the last boss. Several big changes, and many minor ones.
***(SPOILERS for anyone seeking to play on their own)***
The whole Vile Tribe bit is *barely* even touched on, and mostly only gets brought up when talking about The Frontier. Ghaleon outs himself much sooner. *All* combat is random, and even the overworld has combat. And Luna actually stays behind when going to Meribia, and isn't seen again until Ghaleon does his twist, then again near the end of the game (makes fights like the sewer dragon a lot harder)
@@dust_bin_gaming7319 only fight i had trouble with was the new final boss everything else was rather easy
@@jaysea5804 'bout what I remember, from the maybe two times I played the remake. Not having heals early game (outside of food, and the, admittedly plentiful, overworld shrines) hurts a LOT in dungeons full of invisible monsters. xD
Hi, hi, I never used drugs.
This and Eternal Blue are, hands down, my favorite RPG'S of all time.
They have great heart. I would say top 10 for sure.
They both were mine too for many years. Valkyrie Profile takes spot 1 now tho.
Lunar sssc easy #1 for me as well
Yeah this girl is unreasonable and has a horrible opinion of a great game
I will never understand why so many people have that high of an opinion of this game. I am SO glad I found this reviewer because everything she days in this review, I have always thought. I am a writer myself so am always on the hunt for rpgs with great story. Lunar is the most by-the-numbers, basic, made for kids version of an RPG you could POSSIBLY get. "Youre the hero because you have the green eyes!" "Shes the special girl who sings so well it clears evil forest fog". None of it is BAD. Its just plain, basic, and childish. I understand art is subjective. But this game came out within the range of FF6, Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, and Suikoden 2. Kinda in the middle of all those. Xeno deals with deep philosophical issues. Suikoden 2 delves into a major war and lets you see the motivations of both sides and experience love, tragedy, loss, and redemption. Lunar is a fun green eyed boy destined to be a dragonmaster on a great adventure! There just is noooo comparison. Its objective. If Lunar is your favorite RPG then you mustve only played it when you were a child and are looking back through rose tinted goggles i suppose because while it is a FUN rpg, its contemporaries are GREAT RPGs.
It's true that Lunar does nothing to revolutionize the JRPG genre, but that's why I like it. If you want to play a JRPG that simply takes the classic formula and perfects it, Lunar is great. Here there is no crazy magic or crafting system you need a guide to make the most of. The battles are traditional turn-based with no nonsense. The story isn't convoluted, the characters aren't trying to be hip or edgy. The overall feel is just so upbeat and wholesome, almost as if Studio Ghibli was making a 90s JRPG. The criticisms in this video are valid, but I still find Lunar has so much to recommend it that it's still one of the best JRPGs of the 90s.
100% behind the the recommendation to play Suikoden though. That game is amazing. If you care about JRPGs at all both the Lunar and Suikoden games are musts.
I don't read it like that. I feel like a game doesn't need to be revolutionary, but always has to be unique (or try to be). This game doesn't feel like it wanted to be unique.
@@vagabundorkchaosmagick-use2898 It has a level of carefree charm in its design and atmosphere that the other big JRPGs at the time lacked. The closest thing would be Grandia, also by Game Arts.
Eternal Blue is just an upgrade on all levels in my opinion. It still shares a lot of the inventory issues, but the characters have more depth to them, the story is a lot grander with bigger stakes, and it even has a post game. The combat is more or less the same but there is a lot more variety. You can also dash a little bit to avoid enemies and Ruby is a lot more proactive in battles than Nall.
@@ShinjiIkari1 Personal opinion but I don't think lunar 2 can match 1 when it comes to charm. Also it was really missing an intro song. Helps get me in the mood and also if it's catchy, it's kind of encourages you to boot up the game. I know both games broke the 4th wall but I think eternal blue did that just a bit too much. I wasn't able to finish it.
As I'm struggling to determine what supposed to be enjoyable about the "innovative" FFVII remake combat system atm, I can't agree with this statement more. There's something to be said for doing the simple things right rather just throwing a bunch of "innovation" at RPGs.
It was my first JRPG and honestly, I am not a fan of JRPGs but this game and Eternal Blue complete are among my favorite games to this day. I love them so much that I even have dreams of finding Lunar 3 in retro video game shops or a thrift store and getting to play it. Lunar 3 will probably never exist, but it is something I will always hope for.
This review is from a 2022 perspective. When you knew nothing other than N64 games and then played Lunar your socks were blown off when you saw those animations and experienced the gameplay. Sure in retrospect there may be other games that were “better” but that doesnt mean that today gamers should disregard this game in favour of others (your final comment).
Another thing you didnt mention was the beautiful soundtrack. The music coupled with the story immersed the player and It was so emotional. Overall I think you were a bit too hard on Lunar but I still love your reviews Pam!!
Without a time machine it's hard to write from the perspective of any other year. I am just comparing it to games on the same system around the same timeframe though.
Right, but it came out a generation before those games… so not a 1:1 comparison
A tad bit harsh of a review but overall good points made. I always thought this game was criminally underrated to be honest. It's not groundbreaking like you explained but not every game needs huge innovative features to be fun and interesting. The music is SO good too.
Words can't begin to express what a massive crush I had on Luna as a kid.
Top two PS1 games on my list - Lunar Silver Star Story Complete and Vagrant Story. Stories are just the best and it's not all about graphics and what people would expect from a game today.
The translation is what sets this apart. Just bizarre and fun in a way that most RPGs from the era weren't. Beautiful pixel art too. Was very disappointed that the PSP version dropped both the translation and the art style.
And Nalls voice in Xseeds Silver Star Harmony was god awful. It was cool SSH fleshed out the 4 heroes back story more tho.
People that dislike the PS1 version tend to like the PSP version more. I've played both and I think they both have their ups and downs.
I recently started recollecting retro videogames. I'm 35 btw
I got a old paw and just bought and played this. I truly loved the story and the characters music and the universe in general. I thought it was funny and had good humor. The rpg elements were not too in-depth and nothing was too easy or difficult. I recommend any rpg fan or anyone wanting to try a rpg to play this game.
P.s. I really miss switching discs in games. It was like getting the next episode in your favourite show or sequel movie. It's a special feeling forever lost to the future lest we go back to the past
I LOVE the flying cat/dragon companions in this and especially in part 2. It's like a jealous pet always buzzing around lol.
this is one of my favourite jrpgs. Only just discovered it about a year ago, but I was completely blown away. the music is incredible. the boat song is forever legendary and I'll never forget it.
This game and Castlevania Symphony of the Night are the two video game soundtracks I've listened to in the car the most.
Glad you like the music. The composer, Noriyuki Iwadare, is composing for our game and he's still amazing as ever!
@@godshardchronicles ooooo! What is this game you speak of???
Ah, Godshard Chronicles. Wow I love the sprite work, so pretty! Will it be coming to PS or Switch? I don't play steam.
@@FredHerbert999 Thank you. Definitely want it to come to consoles! The trailer is complete, and next is the Kickstarter campaign.
this game is actually a port of Lunar Silver Star Story, originally released as an exclusive for the Sega Saturn in Japan and only later ported to the PS 1
I don't know why your calling Alex a "chosen one", NO one in the game calls him a "chosen one" as if he was pre-destined to be a Dragon Master, it was Alex's dream to become a Dragon Master and he became one on his adventure...
and the character archetypes where kind of fresh and original for JRPGs back when the game first came out on the Mega CD/Sega CD.. and only became more common in anime and JRPGs over the years. This remake introduces mechanics in battle that where not common to other JRPGs from the mid 90s. The whole point of the game is the thrill of adventure and traversing across Lunar's world, and the growing friendships between the characters. I don't think any of the characters where "boring" at all and they all had their own memorable personalities given life by the excellent voice acting...
Yea I always find it funny when RUclipsrs go back & review older games & than there opinions usually go “ I see why people love this game but it just feels so archaic/ unpolished/ unoriginal” well yea it’s 20+ yr old game lol
They review by comparing them to current day games & that’s not how these older game reviews should be
@n8ivegogo1 point out a spot where I compared this to current day games.
Lunar Silver Star Story and Lunar Eternal Blue is the best RPG of All Time..
Omg what an Awesome RPG, I forgot all about this! :)
The music comes flooding back.
This is a surprise, thank you \o/
When this 1st was released, 92, the western market was starved for RPGs, & there was Nothing artistically compared to Lunar. The 96 remake was a labor of love.
The animation and Music set it apart, Working Designs elevating that made it very appealing (alongside the top-notch packaging).
I'm wondering why you didn't mention the music of lunar.
That in my opinion is the highlight of the game.
There isn't one bad piece of music score in lunar.
In fact music and singing is one of the major focal points in the 1st half of the story of the game.
Good review, although I was confused when you said it released in 96.
Yes it did but, in Japan for the sega Saturn.
You were reviewing the playstation version.
It didn't release on playstation till 1999.
Just thought I'd let you know.
I didn't really care for the music. Most of it was fine, but anything with lyrics was not at all my jam.
@@Cannotbetamed1 I liked the boat song but, I don't like alot of rpg music with words.
My favorite music is the battle music against the last boss.
The suikoden games had great music.
My all time favorite rpg as far as storytelling, characters and music would have to be chrono trigger.
What are some of your favorite rpg's and music to rpg's?
I played this back when I was 16. Still one of my favorites today.
This girl is comparing it to games that came after and calling it "basic" lol
It would be a total shame if the Working Designs translated Sega CD version and its sequel don’t make it onto the US Genesis Mini 2…. Amazing adventures and stories on both games.
Still holding out hope for it And Popfull Mail given the Japanese one has all 3.
And popful mail and vay
This is one series that I never got into. I really want to though.
@@MiBrCo4177 do it
@@kainemaxwell I looked on eBay and cib version on PS1 isn't that expensive. I like to buy the physical to have before I emulate it lol and play on a TV with speed boost and such.
Lunar is easily one my top 10 JRPGs of all time. I bought it day one on the Sega CD and the enhanced version on PS1 and PSP. I still love to go through it from time to time. That said, I bought it when it was new and at the time it was the best the genre had to offer in 1992, IMHO. I played just about every JRPG on SNES, and Genesis/SegaCD at the time. I think if you played it back then it had more of an impact and lasting impression.
Sega Cd version of Lunar is our favourite version. The pacing of the game was much quicker.
I played it on the Sega Cd as well.
I have extremely sweet, fond memories of this game and Lunar: The Silver Star. I had loved the Sega CD original, which was a standout in its time, and I was so excited to play the remake for the Saturn (Luna actually travels with the boys to Meribia rather than stay behind in Burg? Wow!). Of course, the Saturn version got canned outside of Japan, but thankfully I had a PSX, too. I preordered this game (maybe the first game I ever did that with), and I still have the Ghaleon punching puppet preorder bonus to this day. The game sticks to the classic RPG formula, but I loved the characters and the humor and just the adventure overall. I do like the Sega CD version a bit more though, as it's shorter and less filler-ish.
OMG I haven’t thought of this game in ages. Lunar was the first JRPG I fell in love with back in ‘94. I had the Sega CD version and would play it for hours on end. I bought its sequel, Eternal Blue (?), in ‘95 and loved that as well.
I remember me and my brother each had our own playthrough of Lunar and somehow my brother’s got deleted. The Sega CD had notoriously small storage, you could literally only save three Lunar files and the memory would be full, so accidental deletion happened from time to time. Anyway, we decided to team up on my playthrough and finished it together. Days of our mom bringing us Gatorade and scrambled egg sandwiches in my room as we played because we wouldn’t leave. Fantastic times.
Thank you for this lovely video and the great memories it brings up. You’re awesome. Big Ups!
Don't let Nall hear you calling him a cat!
Always loved the Lunar games since i got them back in the 90s for the Sega CD. Actually just last year i finally coughed up the dough to add Lunar and Lunar Eternal Blue Complete to my small library of PS games. I sure hope you got a nice slipcase for that box to keep it protected (it was nice to see that someone did indeed make custom slipcases for both the Lunar boxes). Working Designs has always made great cover art for their games but those Complete releases were extremely nice. Cloth map made me feel like i was opening up an Ultima game heh.
I'm probably going to trade my copy in now that I've played it and don't feel any particular attachment to it.
Your comments are rude and unnecessary. It’s obvious you don’t like the game but now you’re just gaslighting. Why would you trade in one of the rarest and most expensive games for the system. Youre entitled to your opinion but no need to be so defensive or gaslighting in your comments.
The art is so good.
Wow, no mention of the beautiful soundtrack? Who can forget "Wind's Nocturne"? There are not many soundtracks I'd put above it!
At the end of this game, I felt a deep connection with the characters, and didn't want the story to end. The story really tugged at my heart strings, and I remember watching the closing moments of the game with a lump in my throat.
Lunar Silver Star Story and Eternal Blue were amazing games. The developer Working Designs made some awesome RPGs back in the day.
working designs was not the developer. They just ported the game over from Japan. Their translation was legendary but they also screwed with the difficulty too much.
Working Designs also ported over Dragonforce for the saturn, so yeah... they did some pretty cool stuff back in the day.
@@harpoonspecter2 Very cool I did not know that, thanks for sharing! 👍
Lunar is definitely is one of my top RPGs of all time, top 5 even. I loved it because of it's simple but effective storyline, and the fact that you get to be a Dragon Master is so cool! I bought this game on the Sega CD and I loved it so much that after more than a decade, I got it on the PSP. It's honestly one of my favorites. The intro song is incredible!
I have so many things to say.
"It feels like a game made in 1992."
I agree. I've always said this game is more like a "best of"/highlight reel of rpgs before Chrono Trigger and the PS1 rpg era. Like if you never played any of the original, old school console rpgs and you were to pick one to give you a sense of what they were like this is the one you would want.
It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it takes what worked in those early era rpg games from the 8 and 16 bit generation like Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star 2-4, Dragon Warrior NES games, Ultima, and YS among others) and puts the best aspects of those games into this one.
YS 1 and 2 in particular in terms of the story as Game Arts was founded by former Falcom employees who had a falling out after YS 3 (long story short that wasn't supposed to be an YS game but the higher up's went behind the developers backs and altered their game into an YS game and it really pissed them off). In essence this is almost a traditional rpg version of the original YS 1 and 2. Similar themes and premises just done a little different.
Personally this is my favorite rpg (though I like the sega cd original intro music more but that is a me thing for sure) It is also the most relaxing rpg I've ever played due to the presentation and music. I have listened to the soundtrack in my car many, many times. It also has my favorite video game moment of all time when the singer's band (no pun intended) together in an act of defiance. That part was pure video game magic and gave me the feels.
Though I will confess the combat does get mind numbing after a while. I usually just watch stuff on RUclips while playing through parts I know I'll be battling for a good chunk of time. And, yes, the inventory is the one thing I hate about it no questions asked. It is atrocious.
However it's actually an improvement over the sega cd version as that one allows you to get rid of an item you need to beat the game and it's literally seconds from the very end of the game when you need it making it unbeatable if you removed it for inventory space. This version doesn't let you remove that item, thank Althena!
By 96, it had been passed up. In 93, it would have been great.
It IS a nice box. My favorite's probably Nall, too, but I also loved that Jessica is such an atypical healer, being fast and ready to scrap.
I liked Jessica too, especially when she talked to anyone other than Kyle.
Probably one of the greatest role playing games ever made, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience and own both the original SEGA CD versions and the PSONE remakes.
younger generations need to experience this. If not on the SEGA MEGADRIVE/GENESIS MINI 2 then these games should be released in a compilation for the SWITCH, PS4, and XBOX ONE.
I have the PSP digital version.. I definitely have to do a second play through one of these days.. It was one of my favorites.. I actually got a kick out of Kyle!
Not even close to the best ever made. Hard to even make a subjective argument in that regard.
@@CAiNiAC I have my opinion and you have yours.
@@chairs9459 Agreed. There just isn't any objective criteria to support yours.
Played this on the Sega CD and every time I see it come up, I hear that intro song in my head again.
"FIGHTING! IN THE DARKNESS/ALL IS EVIL!"
"ON THROUGH THE NIGHT!
KEEP MARCHING ON!"
This is my favorite game out of every one of them.
The story and character development are wonderfully done, the battles and level scaling feature for bosses are fun and do require a bit of strategy to keep you on your toes, how beautifully done the world design and animations along with the voice overs were really good.
Maybe its my bias because my name is alex and the mc is alex but this is 1 of 2 games i can play over and over again and still enjoy almost moment exceot myghts tower ughhhhhh i hate that map.
I just restarted a playthrough of this last week!
As a kid I would pronounce it loon-er. Then my friend said it was Loo-Nar. I was a confused kid.
The original Lunar for Sega CD was my first RPG. I was so excited to play this, I actually imported the Sega Saturn version from Japan, which came out in 96. (The US version of Complete didn't come out for the Playstation until May 99.) I used an FAQ and walkthrough to help me get through the game in Japanese. While I admire a lot of the enhancements to the story made in this, I greatly prefer the soundtrack in the Sega CD version to the one here.
Same! I was initiated through the Sega CD version too...I liked the soundtrack and darker atmosphere this version had as well.
I'm completely behind you on that one I love the Sega CD version way more. But still admire what they did with the artwork sound and direction making it a little bit more like lunar 2 on the Sega CD
So, I will agree that there are some things that keep the PS1 version from being a standout against all others. Still, a lot of what it was is because it's a remake of an earlier game.
Honestly, when the first Lunar The Silver Star for the Sega CD came out it did have some new and somewhat revolutionary things in it. The fully voiced cut scenes were very innovative back then when few other games had ANY VAs at all, even if the animation was a bit more limited. The combat, while still turn-based did have a unique (for the time) feature of your characters having a movement stat and restrictions on how far they could move in a turn, also the multiple attacks weren't very common that I recall. Though they don't have the depth of some modern game characters, all of the party members were interesting and unique enough for the time. (And really they have more personality than 95% of Suikoden characters even though I absolutely love that series too)
Though if you thought that inventory was limited in the PS1 version, well you should see the OG game. You had to equip items into the same space that your weapons/armor were equipped in order to use them in battle and you only had maybe 8 slots total but in both games I never found inventory a problem, rather it was intended to just be another element of strategy, just one that needed to be dealt with pre-combat. I actually found these individual inventories much easier to deal with at times than games like the Final Fantasy Series, hunting through a list of 1,000 items to find the one I want but can also understand how it could be hard to deal with, and Suikoden 1 at least had individual inventories as well, with no communal one at all.
As far as the rarity of MP recovery items in the early game, I'm pretty sure that this was intentional. You weren't supposed to spam your magic every fight, you had to play carefully and usually try to save most of it for the bosses.
And the magic system was completely redesigned too for PS1. Alex used to be a powerhouse caster once he got magic, getting many versions of fire-based spells (not to mention the dragon spells later) to use and no physical MP-using skills at all.
PS1 also introduced variable ability bosses, with their stats based directly on Alex's stats and that made for some interesting experiences. The simplified magic system did make for repetitive battle strategies though, I can agree with that.
I honestly think if you had played either version when they first came out (especially the Sega CD one), you might have different opinions, but I still do respect the opinions from your video.
I agree with your review, it hasnt aged all that well. But after a break you should try Eternal Blue as well, it's quite abit better, both when it comes to story and gameplay.
2:04 are you high?! The game is nothing like any other jrpg on the PS1, or any other console or generation. LUNAR 1 and 2 are 1 of a kind. The music, story, battle system, English voices, dialogue, localization, everything is excellent. Top tier if there ever was one.
Pam is the best at retro video game reviews. This game kind of reminds of, Secret of Mana I also think that the art box was one of the best for a ps1 game. Hi Pam, I love the color of your hair.
Thanks!
Bought this verdion of the game for $49.99 decades ago. I owned the two Srga Cd games, too. I sold them all to Funcoland around 2001. I had a nice little collection of physical games for NES, SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, 32x, Saturn,PS1,Gameboy. I sold them because I was running out of space to store them, and I somehow knew that at least some of them would be easy to get back. I have never been attached to physical copies. As long as I can play the games, I'm happy. Let's just say that there are many ways to play many of the classics, and it is with that I am satisfied. But still...that really was a.nice collection I had. Great memories.
Oh, I still have that Lunar book and map in a plastic bin somewhere. Didn't sell the game with those. I knew their value as collectibles, I suppose.
I remember playing Lunar on Sega CD when i was a kid, then again later on play station. Luna is in my top ten games.
P.s. I still know Luna's song by heart.
Thanks for the suggestion! Playing through it now
Have fun!
While I never played this game, I played the heck out of its sequel, Lunar 2 Eternal Blue Complete back in the day. Awesome game! And you get even more stuff when you purchase that game than you did in the first one! I really need to play the first one as they make a lot of references about this one in Lunar 2.
I agree with you. Lunar 2's battles were also a bit tedious and repetitive throughout the course of the game. While I enjoyed the game tremendously, I much prefer Skies of Arcadia for the Dreamcast if I were to pick a JRPG. I highly recommend it!
Best RPG series of all time. 🌕
Sega CD version was the best!
Yeah, the Luna/Alex romance, while sweet, is a bit weird for the reason you mentioned. Also, that basically everyone kinda treats it as a foregone conclusion they will get together. Like the romance is actively encouraged.
All they had to do was make Luna be adopted by the neighbors and make Alex and Luna best friends since childhood. Problem solved. That's always been the one aspect of the story that made me scratch my head and ask "why?"
Hey I'm one of the folks behind LunarNET and I really enjoyed this (quite fair!) review! Some aspects par for when it was released in Japan have aged pretty poorly. I enjoy all of it regardless but find myself enjoying replays of the original TSS for Sega CD much more -- the design had fewer quirks and a lot of aspects that made it interesting for its time still held up. SSS for PS1/Saturn updated things but lost some of the feel of it.
One thing notably that changed in the remake, is that the battles were quicker and had more distinctive strategies in the Sega CD original (no Sword Dance, had to be judicious about magic use). They ported over a lot of Eternal Blue's interface but didn't quite redesign the rest of the game to suit it, imo.
Oddly, I enjoy the sequel (Eternal Blue) much more, which has fewer changes between the original and remake, and a more similar battle system, but it seems to work better. I got much more into the world/story for that one also.
( Also if anyone else is about to ask, yes our site is about as outdated since the PSP remake came out ages ago and that was the last update of note. we're aware, sorry 'bout that =/ )
How are the forums going? Last I saw, things had slowed down a lot.
Thanks for commenting and pointing out some of the differences between the versions.
What Lunar lacks in complexity and challenge, it makes up for in heart and personality. The graphics don't push the Playstation 1 to its limits but they are cute and colorful. The characters are literal flat 2-D cardboard cutouts, but they're charming. The dialogue is witty, even if the Working Designs translation is controversial at times, and all the villagers have multiple things to say, and you can go back to towns in different parts of the game and they'll have even more things to say. And it's obvious the people who made the game loved working on it, so much that they kept remaking it. I replay it whenever I am stressed and just need the video game equivalent of a warm cup of cocoa to cheer me up. And there's a secret code on the "Making Of" disc that lets you play a remake of the Atari game Warlords where the bases are character portraits and they change and say funny things as they get damaged... so it has a special place in my heart and apparently many other people as well.
In spite of your reservations on Twitter, I think this was an extremely fair review, explicitly stating your opinions on the game based on your own personal views. I can't imagine anyone will have an issue with it. Great review!
Thanks! I also can’t imagine anyone feeling a way about my opinion being different than theirs.
I loved this game. As someone who doesnt have any retro consoles I wish I could get a PC release.
One of the few JRPGs of the time I actually enjoyed reading the dialogue. And who can forget that cheeky case art.
As a 6th grader in '99 this game blew my mind. I still hold it in high regard, though it's mostly nostalgia.
Did you collect the bromides?
You mentioned in the review that you enjoyed something in your other favorite RPGs that made each unique - bromides were unique to Lunar.
Thanks for the review.
I got some of them. I wouldn't really call them a mechanic that makes the game unique.
Good morning everyone! As a super fan of the two games that working designs created. Lunar silver star story and lunar 2 eternal blue. Were by far the most innovative games in its time. I personally collected every item every Easter egg in both games.
My personal belief is that either Sony or some other high profile game developer should bring the two games to the new generation. By releasing the two games in its original content and remastered with higher graphics. This could introduce the potential of maybe a third chapter in the future. Working designs created something absolutely beautiful and I pray that in the future I will be able to play them both once again
Of all the hundreds of rare games I lost in a house fire, this game, Shadow Hearts, Alundra, Azure Dreams, and a few others are ones I miss most because I never finished them.
Those are excellent games. I really miss playing Alundra. LoZ gameplay, with a jump button and a story as dark and soul crushing as the void itself.
Shame it never got a sequel.
"Oh but actually-"
SHAME. IT. NEVER. GOT. A. SEQUEL.
@@glenngriffon8032 I actually enjoyed Alundra 2 for what it was. Issue is it should've never had the Alundra name.
If you can get your hands on Vita or PS3, you can get Alundra dirt cheap digitally
Emulation, if finishing the game rly is what you want
I too lost my childhood collection in a fire. My condolences.
Although I have more positive opinions on Lunar, as always you do a great job of explaining your thoughts in your reviews. Whether you end up liking them or not, I always look forward to hearing your opinion on video games.
I appreciate that
This was the first RPG I ever played and I loved it as a kid. It's nostalgia talking to some degree, but I love this game.
this is my first ps1 rpg game when i was in HighSchool. growing up i still played this in my pc using emulator... and now i still play this in my android phone using emulator.
'Sister-Girlfriend.'
Japan: Westermark Effect? WHAT'S THAT?
Also time to piss people off, I like the Working Designs Localization.
Pam, I love Lunar! Thanks
Lunar is my favorite game of all time. Played it in several iterations over twenty years
I got it when it came out on ps1 and I still own it. It's one of my personal prized possessions. I'll never get rid of it lol I'll be an 80 year old man still holding on to that game.
Glad to see I'm far from alone in saying this is one of my favorite RPGs of all time.
I liked Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete more.
Certainly has more to it. Story, characters, depth. Illustrations that are just crisp-er enough without being a completely new style.
Hate the way they handled saving though. 'hmm.. should I level this skill, or save?' Should have been free, and it's own thing. But I guess it makes you think just a little more about what might be up ahead. (can't remember it the remake changed that though)
@@dust_bin_gaming7319 I've played Eternal Blue Complete several times through. I have zero idea what you're talking about, you could save anywhere.
@@LeoMidori I was talking about the original (sega CD), and said i didn't remember how the remake ('Complete') handled it. You could still save wherever you wanted, but the original had the Mp/Xp used for both leveling your spells, and as a Save Currency. It really sucked sometimes.
One thing I really love about playing this game is the auto healing you get, but the first cave is brutal with the low levels the characters start with.
Love this absolutely amazing game & series so very much! New subscriber just discovered you the other day but I can safely say you’re also absolutely amazing and cool as all hell. Pleasure to watch your vids about games that came out when I was a kid but also newer ones too
Hey, thanks so much. Welcome to the channel!
@@Cannotbetamed1 thank you! Pleasure to be here! I was born in ‘82 so there’s a ton of stuff here right in my wheelhouse!
Played through this way back in '96/'97 and it was wonderful!
Glad you liked it.
I absolutely fell in love with this game. I was blown away by the cut scenes and I was on a mission to get the soap to see the bath cutscene. I still have my OG copy of this today.
Blessed by the algorithm. I just recently finished this game. Loved it. Currently replaying Eternal Blue Complete.
Another great review that includes a bonus for me. I can happily take this one off my backlog now that I know that it's a bit generic overall. Thanks! Love the channel!
Thanks!
While I respect your opinion I disagree. For it's time, Lunar was definitely a top tier RPG. While some aspects have aged, the game has loads of charm and it's one I consider a must play among RPGs.
I just posted a review not too long ago for this game as well on my buddies website. Love this game!
Link please
@@dynelol out of respect for Pam, I dont want to post a link to someone else's website on her video
@@RichRetr0 Message it to me?
@@dynelol or the same name on Twitter, don't even have to message me there the link is in my bio
Sweet thanks
How does this compare to the sequel?
PSP version is inferior because the item system made the game way too easy in the original you could only equip a few items before battle in the psp you could use all your stock items and items are OP
You mentioned that when it comes to this genre, you like games that do something different and this made me wonder if you've ever played Grandia for the PS1. It's an RPG that's always been in my top list due to it's combat and, in my opinion, it's the game that has the best sense of adventure in the most literal sense. I'm recommending you consider trying it if you haven't played it.
Grandia is great after the item hunt at the beginning. Sometimes the mazes drive me crazy, but it's definitely one of the better ones.
@@LarixusSnydes That first bit ends pretty quickly, thank god. In my opinion, the game really begins when he leaves town. I also forgot to mention that I was laughing a lot with Justin's and Sue's antics. Over the years it's gone up higher on my list of favorites. It's definitely my favorite RPG before the PS2, with Chrono Trigger and FF IX being second and third. Unfortunately, I rarely meet anyone who has played it and when I do hear of someone who is familiar with the name, it turns out they played the one that came after.
No, I haven’t tried that one yet.
Ive just started grandia and i thought the beginning treasure hunt was a drag but im trying not to let that ruin it for me
@@herbythechef7624 The game's quite long. That treasure hunt is nothing compared to the world out there. I hope you enjoy it.
I was 9 when I played this game. I absolutely loved the story. I hate to hear that it wasn't challenging enough for you. I don't remember just spamming sword dance. This is hands down one of the best RPGs I've played among the FF games, Chrono Cross, and on.
Had this as a kid. There's a secret hidden on one of the discs in the edition you have, and I must admit, I spent more time on that than the actual game. One of the characters will tell you how to access it at some point in-game, so I'm withholding spoilers in case someone cares.
I remember the character telling me how to access the secret, but I never actually tried it.
@@Cannotbetamed1 It's nothing super special, and it's best with other people, but things like this feel like relics of a bygone era and I can appreciate that. It does say quite a bit, however, that even as a kid I had more fun with an easter egg than this remarkably mediocre RPG.
One of my favorites!!!!! I still have both games that came out a long time ago for the sega cd that I saved up money for as a kid sitting on my shelf here in my game room
That's cool you hung on to them.
Not related to Lunar, but because of your tshirt and after some researches, now I understand what is emotionally unavailable ! Thanks for that.
I appreciate the honest review. I'm sure it's tempting to just pander to Lunar's loyal fanbase (of which I am apart). But despite being accurate in some of your criticisms, I would argue they're unfair. Lunar is a 92/93 game made as an answer to Final Fantasy 4, not 7 or 8. Its 1999 rerelease was intended to preserve a part of gaming history (hence the beautiful box) and make it accessible to the 99% of gamers that never owned the expensive Sega CD.
So yes, compared to Star Ocean, the battle system is incredibly tedious. But when you compare it to its actual contemporaries like Lufia or 7th Saga, it fares much better.
And for those who think context is irrelevant, imagine a film critic complaining about a Charlie Chaplin film for its lack of color and sound. Games changed quite a bit from 1992 to 1999.
You are speaking my mind, you wonderful person.
If I were to compare it to FF4 I would say they’re both tedious and have boring combat. This version is a remake and not just a port. The story changed, combat changed, I think it’s fair to compare it to games that came out around it.
@@Cannotbetamed1 I could be wrong, but GameArts did not rebuild Lunar from the ground up as a remake would entail. It's the original game with the graphics and sound enhanced, anime cutscenes replaced, and aspects of the story and gameplay altered, but not new. That's a remaster, not a remake. And that distinction doesn't even need to be made for the prospective retro gamer since Lunar's design is not representative of late 90's JRPGs.
FFIV has a boring battle system by today's standards. In 1991, it was the most exciting game I had ever played. So concerning your comment on it, I have to ask (rhetorically): why review retro games at all? Obviously, you don't have to like them all. None of them are perfect. As a viewer, I feel you can do better on pointing out a game's legitimate flaws and elaborate on its unrealized potential.
I wish you every success in building your channel.
@@Cannotbetamed1 I would disagree that FFIV is a tedious game or has boring combat. Game is short, like 15 hours. Combat is quick and snappy due to ATB. Sure, it's kind of simple but definitely not tedious. Have you played through the game? Is a classic and stands the test of time full stop. May not be your cup of tea and I understand not having nostalgia for it but the squaresoft snes classics are classics for a reason
Lunar 2 is one of my favorite RPGs ever. Granted, 1 is good. I actually prefer the Sega CD version but that could be nostalgia talking because that was the first one I got to play, being one of 5 people who owned a Sega CD in Utah.
But I'll defend the Sega CD version for being unique. Alex doesn't have sword skills in that version. He doesn't even start with magic. Magic users are rare in Lunar and they definitely elevate one's combat prowess. You can totally see how magicians would become snobbish and opt to just create their own utopia in the sky, where only the talented magic users can reside.
"Wait, if Alex doesn't get magic, does that just mean he's like Ramus, attacking throughout the game?" No, he gets it in Meribia. You can definitely feel how much stronger and versatile Alex is once he's imbued with fire magic, it really adds to the setting of the game, seeing how a regular kid becomes a pyromaniac (he never learns any sword skills in the Sega CD version) In fact, everyone in your party at the end is a magic user, except for Kyle, who just has his physical skills (that still consume MP but whatever). It just shows that unless you're like peak human condition, you just can't compare.
Having never played the game before, I decided to look it up after watching this, and your video was the 3rd result on Google. I'm already a subscriber but thought it was pretty neat.
Damn, I like that she rip this one apart. I know lots of people like this so I'm imagining the tears
I loved this game as a young teen. Anime, fmv, and cd track in video games were all really new to me and made a big impression on me with this game. Revisiting it later I agree with a lot of what you say. It's mostly nostalgia, but I still find the game charming.
Great video!
Same here! :D 👍
I loved all of the characters and the humor of the game. Course I was 15 when I first played it. I get that it doesn't do anything original but it does what it does well. The combat can be samey but if you use strategy you can end many fights in one turn which I loved. I've been in love with this game since it released and my wife has played it with me as well. Will always love this game.
this game is a masterrpice
played this first on Sega CD took me ages to even bother with this version. It is the superior version over the two but Sega CD Lunar will always have a special place in my heart because it was the game that brought me to RPGs. Also the music is pretty awesome.
Perfect timing; I actually beat the game last night. As good as I remember.
The ‘oh no’ I uttered when you said sister-girlfriend.
Nice video Pam. From jRpg you should try the Grandia series. Is pretty cool and I'd love to watch a review of it. ;)
Is this a spam?
Pam!! Great video. I have so much childhood nostalgia attached to this game. There was a shop called “Game X-Change” down the street from us back in the 90s/early 00s and the collectors editions from Working Designs were displayed in the glass case up front. My brother and I would marvel at them, and after saving from our birthdays we were able to get both Lunar SSSC and Lunar 2. I’m happy to say that I STILL have both of these boxes to this day. Though I haven’t played either game in well over a decade, they both have a special place in my heart.
The mana issues were definitely an annoyance and inventory management was tedious for sure. You know what actually had me stuck for a good hour? The very end when you ascend the stairs toward Luna and have to play your ocarina. 10 year old me had no idea what to do and I kept dying over and over 😂
I’m really glad to see one of my favorite RUclipsrs/Game enthusiasts cover games from my childhood. You do a great job! Take care.
That's awesome that you hung onto both of the games. I got really worried at the end of the game that I was going to die because I did not think to save my game after defeating the boss.
Im gonna let my nostalgia take over here for this comment. This game is one of my all time favorites when i was a punk kid getting into rpg everything. Its easy to play it now and he like, "meh".
But if you played it when it was out in 99 or 2000 thus game really hit you hard in so many ways. The best parts of this game are the story and the music! The ending is so beautiful and powerful for its time it still gives me chills when i think about it to this day. Obviously therr are some other fantastic JRPGs that were available at this time but Lunar was and always will be one of the best games I ever played in my youth. Buy an original PS1 and buy this game and play it the og way.
your opinion would be vastly different had you played the original back in 92. it was truly ahead of its time.
Great review! This one has a special place in my heart, since I played it when I was a kid, but having replayed it just a year or so ago, I can definitely agree with all your points. 😅
Thanks!
You can tell from the critiques she never played the Sega CD version, which this was ported from. I bought this game Day 1 in 1992 for the Sega CD and this game is a gem to me. This game, Lunar2, Vay, Arc the Lad and Popful Mail are still of the best games. Working Designs will always be the developer that went that extra mile.
Hi Pam, nice video and i really like that honest thought and review about this games that is considered a high value JRPG. I didn´t play the PS1 version but i played it the version in PSP and it was was difficult to feel that the game caught you with what was happening and etc since the story itself is not bad at all but the combat system was not attractive or interesting enough to keep the hours of play. In the end I could never finish that game, I don't remember how far it went but I ended up leaving it aside (maybe on 6th or 7th boss or something like that), a shame because i was liking the characters and the story itself.
That box in PS1 it seems very wonderful to be a package and even a soundtrack and the artbook and map for the time it was released.
I have a question have you ever played the Legend of Heroes Saga (The ones in Trails of Sky and forward like Trails of Azure and Cold Steel)? I think this saga is one of the underrated in the JRPG and the first three in Trails of Sky even in PS1 being old are really nice. They are now in Steam too.
I have not played that.
I remember crying lol and a really really cool intro and cut scenes
Love this game, I would watch that making of disk a ton.
This review is on us fans. Gushing about a series endlessly gets a hype train rolling that can't be lived up to. People hear our rave reviews endlessly and when they load the game up and haven't came their pants in the first hour, they aren't pleased.
When you miss something when it was new and try to jump into it after things have changed, even if you can recognize why it's so revered, you won't be able to see it the way the fans do. Ocarina of Time and Super Mario RPG get the same and, like I said... we're to blame.
The games hit different when they were originally released for the Sega CD in the 90’s. They were magical experiences back then.
@@EhHold I've played them recently. The world of Lunar feels more alive than any FF and that's because the NPCs felt human.
I think most people who come to Lunar dig it, but no game is for everyone.
I don't know about that. I played it for the first time about 5 years ago (or whenever the Switch was released) and it became my favorite rpg. Some games just connect with others and other games don't.
Some people .is understand a recommendation. It's not like everyone built it up. They just genuinely enjoyed ir
By modern standards, Lunar is very much the epitome of mid-tier JRPG
By 1992 standards, when the competition was Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Lufia, and Breath of Fire, Lunar was a solid 9-10/10, with it's animated cutscenes, and voice acting, being revolutionary.
Still has one of my fav cheesy quotes "Not Ghaleon... Magic Emperor Ghaleon!"