Back in 1993, when Lunar first landed in North America, it truly made waves. It wasn’t just another Japanese RPG trying to carve out a space in the Western market; it was something special. With its animated cinematic cutscenes, a wealth of voice acting, and a soundtrack that blew players away, Lunar was a game that captured hearts with its charming, unforgettable story and characters. Though not the pioneer of CD-ROM-based RPGs, it certainly left its mark on those who experienced it.
Fast forward through the years, and Lunar wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. With a sequel, a couple of PlayStation remakes, a PSP version, and more, the series grew its fanbase significantly. Now, over three decades later, Lunar and Lunar 2 are making their triumphant return to PlayStation with the Lunar Remastered Collection. To celebrate and reflect on what makes these games so special—especially to longtime fans—I caught up with Matthias Pergams, a Producer over at GungHo Online Entertainment America.
Jumping right in, Pergams fills us in on the journey of Lunar. “LUNAR was among the first JRPGs on CD-ROM, packed with animated cutscenes, in-game voice acting, and even a theme song to boot,” he elaborates. “It carved out a loyal following that extended beyond Japan, setting the stage for the genre. There’s a historical significance to it that’s quite unique.”
Speaking of the journey, Lunar hasn’t just been sitting idle. It’s seen remakes and re-releases across various platforms over the years. Curious about why the team chose the PlayStation “Complete” editions as the basis for these remasters, Pergams shares, “Each version holds its own charm. It wasn’t an easy decision. Ultimately, we felt the PlayStation versions best captured the heart of the series.”
Now, considering these are remasters rather than full-blown remakes, I had to ask: will players who savored the originals spot any big changes? Pergams reassures, “The core story and gameplay remain as they were. We believe the original still resonates today, and our goal was to maintain the gameplay envisioned by the original developers, GAME ARTS. However, we’ve added some quality-of-life improvements for a smoother experience, such as an adjustable Battle Speed-Up and a unified inventory system for better item management in Lunar 1.”
Enthusiasts and newcomers alike can choose between a revamped look or relish nostalgia with the original graphics, thanks to features like the Classic Mode—they even threw in a CRT filter for anyone really wanting to dive back into the days of old PlayStation visuals.
Turning to what’s been enhanced, the remaster shines with updated graphics, effects, UI elements, animated scenes, and much more, now adapted for modern TV screens thanks to a new aspect ratio. But what caught my attention was the voice acting. With a brand-new cast stepping in, I couldn’t help but wonder about the selection process. Pergams explains, “We aimed to preserve each character’s essence. We explored what we wanted each to sound like, found actors who matched our vision, and recorded from there. We’re proud of the final result.”
Musical touches haven’t been ignored either. Classic vocal performances are brought to life by the actresses who embody Luna and Lucia, staying true to the original Japanese versions. Plus, there’s a fresh tune penned by Mr. Iwadare himself titled “Looking up at TERRA,” a beautiful addition to the game selection screen.
As for the iconic cutscenes? They’ve been delicately refined without losing their original charm. With guidance from the original development team—right down to insights from the composer, writer, and character designer—the spirit of Lunar lives on.
One delightful surprise was getting famous character designer Toshiyuki Kubooka back on board. Initially uncertain about his availability, the team was thrilled when he jumped in to create three brand new art pieces for the game.
A message from Kubooka himself struck a chord, “At first, it was a pleasant surprise to return to Lunar after so long. Drawing the characters felt like reuniting with old friends. Despite the time it took, I’m grateful for the support from GungHo America.”
This remaster is also set to introduce Lunar to European players, offering them their first taste of this beloved series. Pergams extended thanks to those considering diving into these adventures, emphasizing the journey they offer—the one where players explore the unknown, conquer evil, and discover love.
Finally, a bit of advice from Pergams for newcomers: embrace using items! They might seem like a temporary expense, unlike weapon upgrades, but can turn the tide in challenging fights. Plus, don’t shy away from the games’ Auto Battle and new Speed-Up options for a smooth ride. However you approach it, the team hopes players savor their time with the Lunar games.
