The Lunar series stands out as one of the most cherished JRPGs from the 1990s. With heartfelt storytelling, charming characters, and lush anime-style cutscenes, Lunar: The Lunar series’ games Silver Star Story Complete and Eternal Blue Complete built their legendary reputation through their Sega CD and PlayStation releases. When 2025 arrived both Lunar titles emerged in their updated Lunar Remastered Collection version for modern platforms through deliberate enhancements but without groundbreaking changes.
The Lunar Remastered Collection serves as a tribute to retro RPG devotees through updated visuals and convenience enhancements while maintaining modernization elements that preserve the original spirit.
Visuals That Balance Nostalgia and Modern Touch
Players can choose between Classic mode and Remastered mode when playing the collection. The Remastered mode delivers upscaled backgrounds and sharper character sprites while maintaining beautifully preserved anime cutscenes. The collection does not include complete 3D revisions or brand-new models because it focuses on refinement rather than total reconstruction yet performs its intended task effectively.
The widescreen support stands out because it provides extra space in exploration scenes while giving battles a cinematic appearance. The game’s environments appear clear on modern displays without losing their original aesthetic charm. Classic anime visuals in event scenes retain their emotional impact despite the updated presentation.
Audio: Familiar Tunes with a Fresh Edge
Composer Noriyuki Iwadare’s music is the heart of Lunar and has been perfectly recreated in this version. The original “Wind’s Nocturne” theme sounds exactly as intended while undergoing minor remastering adjustments for modern audio compatibility. The new bridging track “Looking Up at Terra” was introduced to connect the two games while offering longtime fans a familiar reference point and enhancing the overall mood.
You can choose between Japanese and English voiceovers but note that the English version uses a new voice cast. The revised localization corrects the old Working Designs script errors while preserving its memorable eccentric tone which impacted people positively and negatively.
Gameplay: Comfortably Classic
The remastered Lunar game will instantly feel familiar to those who previously played the original. The fundamental turn-based combat system remains unchanged which acts as both an asset and a drawback. No new mechanics or substantial gameplay changes exist in the game. Instead, the remaster focuses on accessibility: Players now have the ability to quicken battles and bypass animations while enjoying an improved inventory system in both games.
Through improved accessibility features, new players can avoid cumbersome UI while experienced players can complete grinding tasks and boss battles without tiring. It’s the best of both worlds.
That said, don’t expect difficulty tweaks. Boss fights maintain their toughness and players encounter random battles often which leads to slower pacing in the first game than what is typical in today’s RPGs. The authentic Lunar experience includes these aspects as essential elements of its charm.
Storytelling That Stands the Test of Time
The story and characters continue to be Lunar’s main appeal. Silver Star Story Complete takes Alex through a hero’s journey that feels both traditional and heartfelt while Eternal Blue expands the game’s world with serious themes of destiny alongside love and sacrifice.
Lunar stands apart from its competitors by seamlessly integrating humor and emotion with world-building. In its updated version the dialogue continues to exhibit cleverness while character development maintains sincerity amid today’s cynical narrative trends.
These games maintain their quality over time and demonstrate the essential role of storytelling within RPGs.
Quality-of-Life Updates Worth Noting
By sidestepping feature overload the developers focused on implementing minor yet meaningful enhancements.
- Adjustable battle speed (including auto-battle)
- Updated save system
- Shared inventory across party members
- Optional modern UI overlays
These updates may not dominate headlines yet they significantly enhance the game’s accessibility. These updates help ease concerns about the series’ outdated technology for those who avoided playing it in the past.
Platform Performance
Both the Nintendo Switch and PS4 versions of the Lunar Remastered Collection delivered flawless performance during our tests. The game delivers minimal load times while providing smooth transitions between towns and battles and maintains stable resolution in remastered visuals for both docked and handheld modes.
Players who lack older gaming consoles can easily access this Lunar release through its availability on Xbox One and PC platforms.
Final Verdict
The Lunar Remastered Collection offers players a sincere and affectionate revival of the top JRPG series from the 16-bit and early CD-ROM days. The game doesn’t introduce new concepts but meets its requirements perfectly. The project maintains its original essence while implementing significant enhancements and selective updates to remain pertinent through 2025.
Fans of RPG games with emotional depth and anime-inspired visuals who enjoy turn-based battles should add this collection to their gaming shelf. This game goes beyond remastering by reminding us why Lunar won hearts years ago while proving its continued relevance today.
⭐ Score: 8.5/10
Best For: JRPG fans, nostalgia hunters, and story-first gamers
Avoid If: Old-school RPG mechanics do not appeal to you or you anticipate contemporary open-world gameplay.
