When Lunar first landed on North American shores in 1993, it quickly made a name for itself among the growing crowd of Japanese RPGs. This game wasn’t just about playing; it was like stepping into an interactive anime with its vibrant animated cutscenes, plentiful voiceovers, and a mesmerizing soundtrack. Its heartfelt narrative and memorable characters were the real stars of the show, making a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to play it. It might not have been the very first CD-ROM JRPG, but boy, did it leave its mark.
Over time, the world of Lunar expanded. There was a sequel, along with a couple of PlayStation remakes, a stint on the PSP, and more. Now, over three decades since it first charmed gamers, Lunar and its sequel, Lunar 2, are getting a fresh breath of life on PlayStation through the Lunar Remastered Collection. To dig deeper into what makes these games so special and to ignite that warm nostalgia in longtime fans, I had a chat with Matthias Pergams, a Producer at GungHo Online Entertainment America.
Jumping into why Lunar stood out, Pergams highlights its pioneering role as one of the early JRPGs utilizing the CD-ROM format. “It brought animated cutscenes, voice acting, and even a theme song,” Pergams recalls. “It not only gained a strong fanbase at home in Japan but also left a significant impact abroad, paving the way for the genre as a whole.” It holds a unique place in gaming history for these reasons.
With Lunar having been remade and reintroduced various times on different platforms, we were curious why the PlayStation’s “Complete” versions were chosen for these remasters. “Every version has its unique perks,” Pergams explains. “We faced quite the challenge deciding this. In the end, the PlayStation version seemed to best embody what Lunar represents to us.”
Since this is a “Remaster” and not a total “Remake,” we couldn’t help but ask about any gameplay or story changes for returning fans. “The core story and gameplay haven’t changed,” Pergams explained. “The original design from GAME ARTS still stands strong today, and we wanted to maintain that. However, we have included some quality-of-life enhancements to smooth out the gameplay.” These include a Battle Speed-Up option, a consolidated inventory system in Lunar 1 for easier item management, and customizable character AI behavior during battles.
For those looking to relive the original experience, the remaster also features a “Classic Mode,” allowing players to enjoy the game with visuals reminiscent of the PlayStation 2 era, complete with a CRT filter for that authentic retro vibe.
As for what’s fresh in the remaster, the most apparent improvements lie in the visuals—remastered graphics, in-game effects, user interface, cutscenes, and collectible in-game items. These updates accompany a modernized aspect ratio, optimizing the game for today’s widescreen TVs. Fans who prefer the nostalgic look can switch to Classic Mode, which retains the original PlayStation graphics.
Voice acting is a hot topic amongst Lunar enthusiasts, especially with news of an all-new cast joining the fray. “We focused on keeping the essence of each character alive,” Pergams shares. “By carefully selecting voice actors that matched this vision, we believe we’ve achieved something we’re quite proud of.” There’s even a touch of the original Japanese flair, with vocal tracks in Lunar 1 and 2 performed by the voice actresses of Luna and Lucia.
Not just stopping with the audio and visuals, even the beloved animated cutscenes are getting a polish. “The original cutscenes hold up well,” Pergams says, “but we’ve refined them just enough to appeal to modern audiences without altering their content.”
The remastering process has been done under the watchful eyes of the original creators. “We’ve had ongoing consultations with GAME ARTS and other development staff, like the original composer and character designer,” Pergams notes. Their input ensured the remaster stayed true to the spirit of the originals.
Among those revisiting Lunar for this project is the acclaimed character designer, Toshiyuki Kubooka. At first, the team wasn’t sure if he would have the time, but to their delight, Kubooka not only joined but also produced several new pieces for the game. His involvement, a significant win for the team, marks a joyful reunion with the game’s familiar cast.
This remastered collection breaks new ground, particularly across Europe, where Lunar’s presence has been minimal. Pergams expresses gratitude to players new to the series. “Thank you for considering Lunar! The series is all about the adventure—a journey into the unknown where friendship, bravery, and love take center stage. It’s a nostalgic kind of adventure, timeless and heartfelt.”
For newcomers ready to dive into this world, Pergams offers some advice: “Don’t hesitate to use items. In many games, it feels wrong to buy temporary items over permanent upgrades, but items—especially recovery ones—can turn the tide in challenging boss battles. Experiment with Auto Battle and the new Battle Speed-Up option. Whatever your approach, we hope you find joy in the Lunar series!”
