Summary
TheLunar Remastered Collectionfeatures enhanced versions ofLunar Silver Star CompleteandLunar Eternal Blue,both of which were enhanced versions of the Sega CD originals that launched in 1993. While there have been many versions and iterations of the first game, this is the first time that the complete version ofLunar Eternal Bluehas been ported after launching on the PS1.
As a result, fans of classic and modern JRPGs can finally get thetwoLunargamesin one complete package without resorting to spending extortionate amounts of money on auction sites for the PS1 classics. The remastered versions bring several enhancements that enrich the experience for fans of the original as well as quality-of-life features to make it more accessible for modern gamers. This topic will show the number of enhancements the collection features over the PS1 versions.
1Visual Improvements
Higher Resolution And Widescreen
The differences between the PS1 versions ofLunar: Silver Star StoryandEternal Blueand their remastered versions are not drastic. There are minor enhancements such as improved framerate and more detailed environments. Despite the originals being older, the towns maintained a simplistic beauty; changing too much would overshadow their charm and could be controversial among fans ofthe JRPG genre.
The remasters are presented in true widescreen, and the animated cutscenes look better than ever in higher resolution. Additionally, there is a Classic Mode that can be selected at the start screen if fans want to experience the original style.
2Reworked Voice Cast
Better In Most Places, But Some Fans Will Miss The Original
The voice workin the game has been completely reworked with a new cast. While the new performances are generally better, the voice acting done by Working Designs in the PS1 versions was excellent for its time, so removing it entirely may be controversial for some fans. It would have been nice to see the Working Designs version included in the Classic Mode instead of just the new voices.
However, characters like Alex, Luna, Ramus, and even Alex’s little companion Nall sound improved, and the dialogue is more faithful to the original script. The Working Designs version was often criticized by fans for including too many Western pop culture references that were not present in the Japanese original. The excellent Working Designs script remains, but many of the ’90s references are gone.
3Improved Audio
The Music And Voice Acting Have More Clarity
While the musical score remains intact, the enhancements in audio quality are striking. The background music and voice performances now present a richer listening experience. The remaster moves past the limitations of the PlayStation 1’s limited stereo technology, which lacks the depth and clarity when playing on modern systems.
When played on a television with high-quality speakers, a soundbar, or a surround sound system, the soundtrack can be appreciated more and has never sounded better. Unlike the PS1 versions, which often sounded tinny and underwhelming.
4Battle Speed
Increase The Speed Of Combat
A quality-of-life improvement fans will enjoy in theLunar Remastered Collectionis the ability to speed up AI-controlled battles. Using the AI after setting up the party’s formation and tactics was always an appreciated feature when exploring large dungeons filled with enemies. However, the ability tospeed up combat three timeswill help players level up faster and make exploring dungeons less of a chore.
Another minor but appreciated feature of the battle system includes a small rumble effect for controller users when enemies have spotted Alex and his friends. This gives players time to either try and escape or prepare with some healing herbs before commencing battle.
5Inventory Improvements
Weapons And Armor Are Automatically Assigned
In the settings, players have the option of switching between Classic and Remastered for Item Management. The Remastered version makes small but significant improvements over the classic version.
Players no longer need to manually give specific items like weapons and armor to the correct characters. It’s a small adjustment, but it saves a lot of unnecessary fussing when it comes to managing the inventory.
6More Accessibility Settings
Controller Mapping And Subtitles
The PS1 versions ofLunar Silver Star Story CompleteandLunar Eternal Blue Completehad very limited settings and features. Notably, there was no option to enable subtitles, which were absent during cutscenes and voiced dialogue in the original games. This is a surprising oversight for an RPG, especially on the PS1, considering that most dialogue is displayed as text outside of voiced scenes.
Fortunately, this issue has been addressed in theLunar Remastered Collection, which introduces more accessibility options such assubtitles and customizable controls. Players can now remap all the buttons on their controller to tailor the gaming experience to their preferences.
7Customize Auto Battle Parameters
Set The Party’s Combat Behavior
In addition to speeding up auto battles, players can modify the party’s battle parameters byassigning three sets of tactics to each member. Players can set each party member their own tactics for AI-controlled battles inLunar Silver Star StoryandLunar Eternal Blue,using a weapon to attack, casting specific magic spells, defending, or using certain items when the party gets into trouble.
It’s not as complex as something likeFinal Fantasy 12,but it does add an extra layer of depth to auto battles, giving players more say in how their party fights in combat.
