What the hell version of Lunar would be best for me?

[Cryomancer]

I'm considering playing through the Lunar games. However, there are like 50 different versions of them to choose from. Could someone please give a fairly-detailed rundown of the differences between them, or maybe tell me which would best fit these criteria:

Would prefer to play it on a sega system, but not totally important.
An option for Japanese voices would be nice.
Are the cutscenes particularily better in a specific version?
Most importantly, I would like to experience as much of the game as possible on one runthrough, so if there are extra parts to one of them that would be a heavy slant in it's favor...

And also, I assume the proper order is Silver Star -> Eternal Blue? And where exactly does the GBA game fit into this?

Sorry if this thread exists, I searched, but didn't see anything. Also sorry if I sound too demanding here, but I'd like to hear your guys opinons on the subject.

[drwily008]

The Gameboy ADV. version of the game is esentially a easier version of Silver Star Story. Start with Lunar: Silver Star Story for Sega CD the story is better in parts and you cant avoid the battles (PS ver. you see the enemies prior to fighting). Then play Lunar 2 : Eternal Blue for Sega CD like 1 month later so the story is familiar but not completely memorized. It is SO great of a game and has direct story references to Silver Star Story.


Q: Would prefer to play it on a sega system, but not totally important.
A: SEGA CD is great, Saturn is in all japanese (i.e. never translated)

Q: An option for Japanese voices would be nice.
A: None to my knowledge exists, but the voices on both are above par for U.S. voice acting. Of course if you wanted to play in ALL japanese you could pick up the Saturn versions.

Q: Are the cutscenes particularily better in a specific version?
A: Yes, the cutscenes on the PSOne version are better (except for one, but if I told you it would ruin the story ;) . )

Q: Most importantly, I would like to experience as much of the game as possible on one runthrough, so if there are extra parts to one of them that would be a heavy slant in it's favor...
A: Lunar 2 has a second ending which can take a few more hours to complete on ALL versions of Lunar 2: EB.

I hope this helps your process of elimination a little more. One more thing some of the story (minor) is changed in the rereleases (on SATURN & PS1) so if you are a purist, probably lean towards Sega CD versions. These 2 games are on my top 10 of ALL time so I hope you enjoy whichever version you get (they are all epic games).

[DynastyLawyer]

Would prefer to play it on a sega system, but not totally important.
An option for Japanese voices would be nice.
Are the cutscenes particularily better in a specific version?
Most importantly, I would like to experience as much of the game as possible on one runthrough, so if there are extra parts to one of them that would be a heavy slant in it's favor...

I'd honestly go with the PS version. It's called "Complete" for a reason. Essentially, it's a re-telling of the same story as on the Sega CD, which is the original. Adds new characters, better graphics. If I'm remembering, neither has an option for Japanese voices, could be wrong though. Cutscenes are worlds ahead in the PS version, and they added a bunch of little odds and ends.

You are correct. Silver Star Story comes before Eternal Blue. Both are good games.

The GBA version is a cheap cash in, as usual.

[SoulBlazer]

Actually, I enjoyed the GBA port. It's just a remix of Silver Star, and once you get around the cheap translation it's a damn fun game. Music and cut scenes are wonderfull looking for the GBA (even new cutscenes) and the gameplay is classic Lunar.

But yeah, I'd start with Silver Star for the PSX, then Eternal Blue, and then Silver Star for the GBA.

[Daria]

I'd go with the PSX versions, although there's nothing wrong with the originals. Just the PSX games have better looking cutscenes, capital and lower case fonts (:P), and I believe they had annoying random battles on the world map, and again I think a lack of a dash button.

The GBA version is the prettiest but horribly translated. Steer clear. The charm of Lunar is the believable relationship between it's characters. The GBA version completely trashes that illusion.

If you have to play it, as SoulBlazer suggested, play it last. And don't pay a whole lot for it.

[kainemaxwell]

Go with the PSX versions, if you can find the Sega CD games, get them too.

[Rikimaru]

The PSX versions are the best. Stick with those. Also, if you happen to come across the Men's spa in SSSC, make sure not to use the soap (minus a rope) You'd be better off :eek 2:






Even if you are a female. EVEN!!!

[unbroken]

go with the psx versions and then if you really like the games, go buy the sega cd games after you are done with the psx versions and play through them.

[Mangar]

I never played any Lunar games, but probably will now ater this thread... heh - I actualled managed to pick up the first one(complete) for the Sega-CD at a Flear Market for 5 bucks last summer. Never did get around to even popping it in, and it ended up lost in the shuffle.


hope this helps your process of elimination a little more. One more thing some of the story (minor) is changed in the rereleases (on SATURN & PS1) so if you are a purist, probably lean towards Sega CD versions.

This has me leaning more towards the Sega CD version. Not sure what was changed, but whenever i hear something like this i always fear the worst.

[Daria]

I never played any Lunar games, but probably will now ater this thread... heh - I actualled managed to pick up the first one(complete) for the Sega-CD at a Flear Market for 5 bucks last summer. Never did get around to even popping it in, and it ended up lost in the shuffle.


hope this helps your process of elimination a little more. One more thing some of the story (minor) is changed in the rereleases (on SATURN & PS1) so if you are a purist, probably lean towards Sega CD versions.

This has me leaning more towards the Sega CD version. Not sure what was changed, but whenever i hear something like this i always fear the worst.

Actually... it's for the better- I think anyway. In the Sega CD version Luna leaves your party as soon as you get on the boat towards the begining of the game, and she doesn't reapear until towards the end. In the the PSX version she starts to stay behind, changes her mind last minute and makes a runing jump to catch Alex's hand and be pulled aboard. So she ends up saying with your party longer, you get to know her better, her relationship with Alex is fleshed out more AND they added a new cutscene.

[Cirrus]

Actually... it's for the better- I think anyway. In the Sega CD version Luna leaves your party as soon as you get on the boat towards the begining of the game, and she doesn't reapear until towards the end. In the the PSX version she starts to stay behind, changes her mind last minute and makes a runing jump to catch Alex's hand and be pulled aboard. So she ends up saying with your party longer, you get to know her better, her relationship with Alex is fleshed out more AND they added a new cutscene.

God, I love that game. I've only played the PSX version but it is my favorite ending in a video game of all time. Just so solid! I say go with the PSX version as well, if just for the scene Daria mentioned.

[Big Papa Husker]

I just got done playing Lunar 2, the epilogue as well, and I havent played SSS. I would have to say that Lunar 2 is THE best RPG I have ever played... better than any FF, better than CT (a close second).

Now that I have SSS (just got it recently) I might want to go back and play it, but I basically knows what happens because of the info in EB. Is it worth it to go back and play through SSS?

[Cirrus]

I just got done playing Lunar 2, the epilogue as well, and I havent played SSS. I would have to say that Lunar 2 is THE best RPG I have ever played... better than any FF, better than CT (a close second).

Now that I have SSS (just got it recently) I might want to go back and play it, but I basically knows what happens because of the info in EB. Is it worth it to go back and play through SSS?

YES. See above post.

[Cryomancer]

How long are these games generally? At this rate I'm considering playing both sega cd and PSX...

[Bluteg]

The back of the Lunar Legend GBA box says that has "new quests" for the GBA version. Are the really worth it to play through it again after I allready completed Lunar: SSSC?

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Having never actually played the original version of Eternal Blue I couldn't say for sure, but I have heard that the sega cd version has better dungeons and was semi harder then the PSX remake. Also, I don't see why you would but if you do decide to import a version of Lunar, you sould go with the saturn MPEG Card Version with I hear has the better CG then the PSX version of the game.

[drwily008]

The back of the Lunar Legend GBA box says that has "new quests" for the GBA version. Are the really worth it to play through it again after I allready completed Lunar: SSSC?

Yeah, it's great but play it a few months to a year after playing the originals (I'm not sure how long ago you played them). It really is one of the best games on the GBA, I used to sell it all the time to kids and teens looking for something now that they were out of Pokemon and Yu Gi Oh and looking for a real RPG to play. Tell you what more of those kids would come back for more RPG goodness after beating it. That game and the fact that I am the MASTER at it helped me turn many a youg lad & lass into RPG fans!

[PhoeniX]

Play the PSX versions, silver star then eternal blue. The real question is whether or not you will wear the medalion/neclace that these come with. :)

[Blackjax]

Well, one of the major reasons Game Arts went back and changed much of the ending to the first Lunar was to fix a glaring geographical error (and a kind of plot hole) in Eternal Blue

...I'm not going to explain it here because it ruins much of the plots of both games, but if anyone really wants to know, you can PM me.

As far as the best versions of the games, that's a toughie. The PSX versions are probably the best overall, but the SegaCD ones are definately worth a playthru too - especially to see the revamps made to the first game. The basic plot is much the same, but I'd say about 50% of the PSX game is new or changed from the SegaCD one.

PLUS THEY ELIMINATED THE VERY ANNOYING USE OF ALL CAPITAL LETTERS THRU THE ENTIRE GAME. LOL

[sirhansirhan]

I thought I'd bump this old thread because I have a similar question.

I'm interested in getting into the Lunar games (I've never played any of them and know little about them, aside from the fact that they're supposed to be good), and am curious as to where to start and what I need to know about the series. It seems like the general concensus is that the PS1 versions are better, but there are two things that make me hesitate to buy those versions--one is that I tend to like lower-fi versions of games better (so if the same game is released across two generations of systems I tend to like the older generation system's version better), and two is that as far as the system as a whole goes, I'm much more affectionate for my Sega CD than my Playstation. But still, there are times when it is definitely worth it to get the updated versions of games--I can't imagine playing the original Final Fantasy on the NES now that the GBA and PS1 versions have smoothed out so many things that were annoying in the originals. So, with that information in mind, do you guys think that I should get the Sega CD versions or the PS1 versions?

Also, are Silver Star Saga and Eternal Blue the only games in the series, or are there other ones on different platforms?

[Daria]

Also, are Silver Star Saga and Eternal Blue the only games in the series, or are there other ones on different platforms?

There's Lunar Magic School (also known as Lunar Strolling School) for GameGear and Saturn. However it's never been translated. It's more of a side story gaiden then a full fledged "Lunar 3". And of course there's the newer Lunar Dragon Song for DS.

A little info on Lunar Magic School:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar:_Walking_School

[RetroYoungen]

How long are these games generally? At this rate I'm considering playing both sega cd and PSX...

Sorry I didn't get here sooner!

I've only been able to finish SSS so far, took me about 40 some-odd hours. And I'm about that far into EB. I'm just really bad at games, so your play time might vary. But that's about what I'd expect for the PS1 editions. The Sega CD titles I don't know... I'd guess about the same length.

The GBA version, probably a bit shorter.

[alexkidd2000]

I never played any Lunar games, but probably will now ater this thread... heh - I actualled managed to pick up the first one(complete) for the Sega-CD at a Flear Market for 5 bucks last summer. Never did get around to even popping it in, and it ended up lost in the shuffle.


hope this helps your process of elimination a little more. One more thing some of the story (minor) is changed in the rereleases (on SATURN & PS1) so if you are a purist, probably lean towards Sega CD versions.

This has me leaning more towards the Sega CD version. Not sure what was changed, but whenever i hear something like this i always fear the worst.

Actually... it's for the better- I think anyway. In the Sega CD version Luna leaves your party as soon as you get on the boat towards the begining of the game, and she doesn't reapear until towards the end. In the the PSX version she starts to stay behind, changes her mind last minute and makes a runing jump to catch Alex's hand and be pulled aboard. So she ends up saying with your party longer, you get to know her better, her relationship with Alex is fleshed out more AND they added a new cutscene.

Way to spoil it for people who have never played!

[Daria]

I never played any Lunar games, but probably will now ater this thread... heh - I actualled managed to pick up the first one(complete) for the Sega-CD at a Flear Market for 5 bucks last summer. Never did get around to even popping it in, and it ended up lost in the shuffle.


hope this helps your process of elimination a little more. One more thing some of the story (minor) is changed in the rereleases (on SATURN & PS1) so if you are a purist, probably lean towards Sega CD versions.

This has me leaning more towards the Sega CD version. Not sure what was changed, but whenever i hear something like this i always fear the worst.

Actually... it's for the better- I think anyway. In the Sega CD version Luna leaves your party as soon as you get on the boat towards the begining of the game, and she doesn't reapear until towards the end. In the the PSX version she starts to stay behind, changes her mind last minute and makes a runing jump to catch Alex's hand and be pulled aboard. So she ends up saying with your party longer, you get to know her better, her relationship with Alex is fleshed out more AND they added a new cutscene.

Way to spoil it for people who have never played!

You're welcome. :)

Now quit your bitching and play the game already.

[Banned]

The Sega CD releases are best.

The Playstation remakes just seemed... apocryphal.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

Since this thread was brought back up, I figured I would finally add my 2 cents....

I'm an avid Lunar fan and own all the versions of the games (including the 6 different cd covers for the Sega CD version and all the imports) and have been there since the beginning with the games. Here are my opinions:

I personally still love the original Lunar: The Silver Star on the Sega CD (some people mistakenly call the Sega CD version "Silver Star Story" when its just "The Silver Star"). The graphics may be a bit bland, but they are still ok. Yes, there are next to no cutscenes, but it was an early Sega CD game and rushed when it was first released in Japan. Getting back on track, I do, however, like the remake for a few reasons also. I like the expanded storyline in the remake, the nice cutscenes and...ummm...thats pretty much it. What I don't like in the remake is the following:

1) The horribly redone world map. It basically serves little purpose now, where as in the original, you had to contend with random battles and actually travel a good distance to get to where you were going. Somehow, it made it seem THAT much more worth the effort. Also of note are ht esupremely small sprites for the characters on the world map. Why so small???

2) In the remake, they did away with the random battles, and you could now see the enemies, however, all the enemies on screen were gray and pretty much looked all the same.

3) My biggest complaint would be the change of the music. The original Sega CD version is still way beyond the one from the remake. Yes, I hear that there was some dispute over reusing the soundtrack, blah, blah, but still...its missing someonthing in the new music. There is one beautiful vocal song though that was really nice. On a side note, I hand it to WD for sneaking in a small piece from the original soundtrack in an ending animation sequence. That song wasnt even in the import version. Well done :)

Now for Lunar: Eternal Blue (or for the Saturn/PSX versions Lunar 2: Eternal Blue/Complete). For this one, the remake isnt nearly as huge of a remake over the original, storyline wise. In this race, I still prefer the original easily. Heres my rundown:

Eveyrthing about the Sega CD version I love. The graphics are now more colorful and more detailed and vibrant (even moreso if you have a Genesis modded with S-Video output!!), the music is once again phenomenal, the characters, the story,etc. are all equally good. This game is still one of my top 3 RPGs of all time

The remake is a mixed bag. Once again, they have added very nice new animation sequences that actually are a near shot-for-shot remake of the originals. They are all nice and purty, but have some serious artifcating issues, oddly enough moreso overall on the PSX version than the Saturn. Oddly enough, the remake is actually missing a few cutscenes from the original! Why they were deleted is beyond me. The Sega CD cutscenes are still great even to this day. They show off what the Sega CD could do in the right hands.

Now the map issue again. This time for the remake, they increased the character sprites back to the game-size sprites and the world map seems a bit larger too (not in contrast to the Sega CD one, but to the SSS map), but, again, theres no danger on the world map. No fights, no nothing.

The music issue. Here, thankfully, the music is the same original score from the original. The Saturn version now sounds even more clear, yet the PSX version sounds a bit underwhelming next to the Saturn and Sega CD ones.

Storyline-wise, not too much was changed. One extra part was added just to tie it to the SSS remake.

The magic system - I like the original, in where you use magic points to power up individual spells to whatever strength you wanted to. In the remake, they dealt away with it and added Crests (which you would combine to form new spells). Personally, I l like the original magic system

What some might consider a huge deal in the Sega CD one is the save system, wherein you must use up magic points to save. YPeople have bitched about it for years, yet I have never had a huge problem with it. In the remake, this was dealt away with.

Since I have rambled on, I'll just give a few small impressions of Lunar Legend and Magical School Lunar!.

Lunar legend: a bit of a watered down verison of Lunar:SSSC, but I did like some of the new animation stills and I really liked the graphics in the battle mode

Magical School Lunar! - Cute little side story to Lunar. Still playable with a walkthrough, though theres not much in the plot that references the other Lunar games

Ok, rambling over. Hope the impressions help!

[sirhansirhan]

I had already decided (based mostly on this thread) that I was going to get the Sega CD versions, and had my eye on a sweet eBay lot of Genesis and Sega CD games that ended today (it also had Popful Mail and Vay in it, which I'm also interested in), but I lost it. I've been in the mood to start a new RPG lately and had my heart set on it being Lunar: The Silver Star. I'm planning on bidding on more auctions for it in the near future, but I'm anxious to play it now. What a bummer.

Anyway, thanks to those who posted here; the information went a long way toward me making an educated decision and not just guessing which version I'd like better.