The Lunar series, consisting primarily of Lunar: Silver Star Story and Lunar: Eternal Blue, stands as a beloved cornerstone in the realm of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs). These games, originally developed by Game Arts and Studio Alex for the Sega CD in the early 1990s, have left an indelible mark on the genre and continue to captivate players with their charm, storytelling, and innovative features.
Origins and Development
The Lunar series began with the release of Lunar: The Silver Star in 1992 for the Sega CD. This was followed by its sequel, Lunar: Eternal Blue, in 1994. Both games were developed during a time when RPGs were evolving rapidly. Developers were pushing the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay mechanics in video games.
The brainchild of game designer Takashi Hino and scenario writer Kei Shigema, Lunar was conceived as a more light-hearted and accessible alternative to the often complex and serious RPGs of the time. The development team aimed to create a world that felt alive and characters that players could genuinely connect with.
Lunar: Silver Star Story
Lunar: The Silver Star introduces players to the world of Lunar, a moon orbiting the Blue Star (Earth). The game follows the adventures of Alex, a young boy from a small village who dreams of becoming a Dragonmaster like his hero, Dyne. Along with his friends Ramus and Luna, and a mysterious flying cat-like creature named Nall, Alex embarks on a journey that will see him fulfill his destiny and save the world from an ancient evil.
The game’s story is notable for its coming-of-age themes. Characters explore ideas of friendship, love, and the responsibilities that come with power. As Alex grows from a naive village boy into a true hero, players witness his relationships deepen and his understanding of the world expand.
Gameplay and Innovation
Lunar: The Silver Star introduced several innovative features that set it apart from its contemporaries:
- Full voice acting and animated cutscenes: Leveraging the CD-ROM format, Lunar included extensive voice acting and high-quality animated cutscenes, bringing the characters and world to life in a way that was rare for games of that era.
- Party AI: The game featured a rudimentary form of party AI, allowing players to set basic behavior patterns for their companions in battle.
- Dynamic music: The game’s soundtrack, composed by Noriyuki Iwadare, dynamically changed based on the situation, enhancing the emotional impact of key scenes.
Lunar: Eternal Blue
The sequel, Lunar: Eternal Blue, takes place roughly 1000 years after the events of The Silver Star. It follows Hiro, a young explorer, and his companions as they attempt to prevent the awakening of Zophar, an evil god intent on destroying the world.
Eternal Blue expanded on the themes of its predecessor while introducing new elements. The game delves deeper into questions of faith, the nature of humanity, and the concept of redemption. The relationship between Hiro and Lucia, a mysterious girl from the Blue Star, forms the emotional core of the story.
Enhancements and Features
Lunar: Eternal Blue built upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, introducing several improvements:
- Improved graphics and animation: The game featured more detailed sprites and backgrounds, as well as longer and more frequent animated cutscenes.
- Expanded voice acting: Nearly every line of dialogue in the game was voiced, a rarity for the time.
- Refined battle system: The combat system was streamlined and balanced, offering more strategic depth.
- Mini-games and side quests: Eternal Blue included a variety of mini-games and optional quests, adding depth and replayability to the experience.
Impact and Legacy
The Lunar games were critically acclaimed upon release, praised for their engaging stories, memorable characters, and high production values. They helped establish Working Designs, the company responsible for localizing and publishing the games in North America, as a premier localization house known for their high-quality translations and lavish packaging.
The success of Lunar also contributed to the growing popularity of story-driven JRPGs in the West, paving the way for future classics like Final Fantasy VII and Xenogears. The series’ emphasis on character development and world-building influenced many subsequent RPGs.
Re-releases and Remakes
The enduring popularity of the Lunar series has led to multiple re-releases and remakes over the years:
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Released for the Sega Saturn in 1996 and later ported to the PlayStation in 1999, this remake of the original Lunar featured updated graphics, new cutscenes, and additional story content. The PlayStation version, in particular, became highly sought after due to its limited production run and extensive bonus materials.
Lunar: Eternal Blue Complete
Following the success of Silver Star Story Complete, Eternal Blue received a similar treatment. Released for the PlayStation in 1998 in Japan and 2000 in North America, this version included enhanced graphics, new cutscenes, and additional gameplay features.
Lunar: Silver Star Harmony
In 2009, a remake of Silver Star Story was released for the PlayStation Portable. This version featured redrawn graphics, re-recorded voice acting, and a revised script.
Cultural Impact
The Lunar series has had a lasting impact on gaming culture, particularly among JRPG enthusiasts. The games are often cited as exemplars of effective storytelling in video games, with their well-developed characters and emotionally resonant narratives.
The series’ music, composed primarily by Noriyuki Iwadare, has gained a following of its own. Tracks like “Wind’s Nocturne” and “Lucia’s Theme” are considered classics of video game music.
Lunar’s influence can also be seen in the collector’s market. The lavish packaging of the Working Designs releases, which included cloth maps, hardcover manuals, and soundtrack CDs, set a new standard for special editions and helped establish a market for premium game releases.
Gameplay Systems
While the Lunar games are primarily known for their stories, they also feature engaging gameplay systems:
- Turn-based combat: The battle system is turn-based, but with a twist. Characters and enemies move around the battlefield, adding a layer of strategy to positioning.
- Character progression: Characters gain experience and level up in typical RPG fashion, but also gain new abilities at key story moments.
- Equipment and items: A robust system of weapons, armor, and accessories allows for character customization.
- Exploration: The games encourage exploration with hidden items, optional dialogues, and secret areas.
Conclusion
The Lunar series, particularly Lunar: Silver Star Story and Lunar: Eternal Blue, represents a high point in 1990s JRPG design. These games combined engaging storytelling, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay features to create experiences that continue to resonate with players decades after their initial release.
Whether through their original versions, subsequent remakes, or their lasting influence on the RPG genre, the Lunar games have secured their place in video game history. They stand as testaments to the power of storytelling in games and the ability of the medium to create rich, emotionally engaging worlds that stay with players long after the final credits roll.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the lessons learned from Lunar – about character development, world-building, and the integration of narrative and gameplay – remain relevant. For both longtime fans and newcomers to the series, the world of Lunar continues to shine brightly, a silver star in the vast cosmos of gaming history.
