Customer Reviews

Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Played and loved the Sega CD version of this game a few years back. Just got a playstation and this is one of the first titles we grabbed. There are some definate differences between the two, and this version comes out on top in our opinion. The humor is the same for both and (from what we've been able to play so far)so is the plot. The cut scenes are longer and more involved which makes it a treat to watch. The minor downs are: no random battles while crossing the terain - good if your hurt and need to heal, but frustrating when you first start and want to build levels, and the opening theme was much more moving on the earlier version - used to play it several times before playing just for the beat! But, overall, this is definately an upgrade.

If you are looking for story as the driving force behind an RPG, then this is a game you will enjoy. Lunar doesn't rely on graphics or amazing sound. It relies on the strength of its storyline. The graphics are the type you'd find on an older system, which makes sense because this game was originally released on the Sega-CD. This comes with two bonus CD's. One is a soundtrack, which is nothing to be excited about since the music isn't something you'd want to listen to outside of the game, but is a nice touch. The other is a making of CD that was rather interesting because you get to see how much the people who made this game were into it and cared about the finished product.

One of the neat things about this game is all of the voice acting. It's such a nice touch and really adds a lot to the game. The female voices can seem rather whiny and too high pitched (which could be said of the males at times too), but other than that, it's quite good. Also, there is a lot of pop culture references and innuendo going on that make you laugh. That may be the best thing about the game. The story is fun. The game is fun. You have fun playing the game.

It's not new. It's not full of eye candy. But the game is very enjoyable and worth the money if you enjoy playing with a good story.

I never played the original "Lunar" but this Special Edition makes me wish I'd been there when the saga started. This package is amazing, it includes:

Book: A small but thick hardback book full of artwork and infomation about the game.

2 Game CDs: Only because the anime cut-scenes take up so much disk space, this game could fit on one CD without them.

Making Of Featurette: On it's own Playstation CD that you can play like a movie in your Playstation.

Fabric Map: A nicely illustrated material map.

Soundtrack CD: The music from the game, which is is pretty good but features some "Disney" style tracks.

The game itself is great. The graphics might not appeal to everyone. I'd go as far to say that ZELDA for the SNES looks a lot better. But that's not the point here, the game itself is very involving. It has nice character development and you feel very compelled to complete it.

There is one thing I must warn you of, this is the kind of game where you can get STUCK and have no choice but to start the game again, this is because you can SAVE anywhere... so watch it. Also, the game's battles WILL annoy you at first, but you'll grow to them after time. The battles will get on your nerves but everything else makes the game a real journey.

You'll recognise things from modern RPGs which is a clear reference to how influential this game was as an RPG. The power/magic system is very close to games such as "Secret Of Mana" and the "Final Fantasy" series.

There's a LOT you can miss in this game. Every character in the game says something new after every event occurs, it's outstanding the amount of work and effort that's been put into giving this game new life, and it works.

So, if you like RPGs, and especially if you like keeping your games in good condition and love extras, this IS the game for you. With over an hour of new anime-style cut scene footage and a very amusing script (which can be suprisingly dirty at times). This makes for a great RPG adventure that you won't forget, and may after time wish to play through again.

If you are patient enough to get used to this game, you will love it. It's a great game with a wonderful story. The battle system can be a little old school, but once you get used to it, it's still good fun. Again, the story is awesome! The Anime cut-scenes are wonderful. They are from the same animators as Giant Robo. The music is great. It's full of great humor. Witty remarks and dirty jokes abound. I recommend this game for maybe 15+ not because of content, but because it's a more mature level of gaming, I think younger gamers might find it boring. Not a good first RPG to play either. Experienced Role-players only, this game is HARD.

I've played Lunar: SSS in all its forms. I own the Sega CD version, the Sega Saturn version, and now the ultimate version for the Sony Playstation. There are little changes in the story that will make veterans of the game astonded and impatient as to what happens next. People who have never played either version will be blown away by the excellent story, graphics and almost lifelike characters that make up the world of Lunar. Forget Final Fantasy, if you are looking for an RPG that will stand the test of time, go for this!

If you're a classical RPG type fan, this game is a ***must*** for you. It has all the classical RPG elements in where it should have. What makes this game stands out from other RPG games is its storyline. Its storyline isn't the "kill all & you win" type, instead it's more related to morality. For example, at the beginning of the story, the main character's mind is still young and immature. However, the main character's mind matures as the game progresses, so we view his world from a different prespective - a prespective of loving and caring. Do you find other games like this before? obsolutely not! For me, I've never seen such a spiritually powerful game before, so I strongly recommend you to buy this game. It's worthed!

*Please note I am reviewing Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, they are basically the same games, but just with a few new additions. Thank you*

Every once in a while the classics return updated. Working Designs has done a phenomenal job restoring the classic Lunar: Silver Star onto the Playstation as Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete. The game is very enjoyable and while the game is considerably short compared to other RPGs, it works well. The dungeons test the level of your characters but never exhaust them into a need to train excruciatingly to move from place to place which is the type of flow that is much needed to enjoy an RPG rather than just play it. Also the inclusion of ability to use the joy pads makes moving easier than pressing down on the control pad.
The artwork and cut scenes are done beautifully, however the majority of the time the game characters are sprites. The gameplay is enjoyable but if you don't have the patience or want to strategize you will find yourself throwing down your controller, dying, or asleep. The game itself never is frustrating if you take the time to train your team and not just run from every threat. Each boss has strengths and weaknesses and if you take the time to observe them you can defeat them without much of a problem, but not to say they are easy. Though no one boss will kill off your entire party with just one blow.
The writing is some of the best I've ever seen in a game. The sharp wit of the characters and comedic dialogue is balanced so well that it never gets stale or reused. The game can also be very serious to the point you can relate your own emotion to the characters to laugh and even cry with them while playing this game. The cut scenes are something you will look forward to rather than just wish you can skip from the rich opening to the enjoyable ending.
However this game was made back in 1999. While it can be pretty to look at, if you are a fan of rich cell shaded 3-D environments and characters... well lets just say the game never looks better than the animé on Saturday mornings. It also can get tedious, as some dungeons seem to go on and on and on...
Even with some of its shortcomings, RPG veterans and those new to the series should pick up this title for a good time. Lunar: Silver Star Story is the lost classic and sleeper hit of the end of the millennium. I proudly give a game that has become my favorite a perfect score.

Ahh, Lunar. I never played the game on the Sega CD system, but it proves well worth the wait to Playstation owners. The graphics of the game itself are pretty much intact from their original form on the Sega CD. However, with the recent glut of RPGs that are all graphical flair and NO truly great gameplay (paging FF8), it is nice to see a game from this genre that doesn't hold aesthetics as its utmost feature. There are however, some darn spiffy anime sequences dispersed throughout the game that help flesh out the plot. These cutscenes salvage the overall graphical situation, making the SNES-looking sprites bearable.

The gameplay is awesome. Many accuse Lunar of being too simple but after horrendously complex systems like those in FF7 and FF8, it is nice to see that the original turn-based, menu-driven style of the very first RPGs is still as elegant as ever. You can progress through the game and focus on the story and other great features of any good RPG; there is no Materia or Guardian Force to bog you down here. There are a few puzzles and other related diversions but otherwise the game is pretty straightforward: fight to gain experience, progress through the levels and defeat the bosses. The control, as in most RPGs is solid and easy to deal with.

Without revealing too much, the story is standard RPG fare. It revolves around love and the fate of a world, which is already territory mined over and over by countless RPGs.

Overall, Lunar is an old game turned into a slick package with anime and all the goodies you get when you buy it (which includes a cloth map and hardcover, leather instruction book along with the soundtrack CD and a "making of Lunar" CD). It is a great reminder of how great RPGs used to be.

I never got to play the original Lunar, but I'm sure glad I played Silver Star Story. The game had everything I enjoy in a good RPG. A great story, good battle system, characters I cared about, great cut-scenes... The only time I was upset with the game was when it was over--I wanted more! The Dialogue was the best in any RPG I have played. It had me rolling on the floor at times. Add to that the full color map, making-of CD and music CD and you have a real winner! The characters are on the cutesy side and the game lasted around 30 hours (mainly because there are no random battles on the World Map which usually add wasted hours in other RPGs!), but is excellent the whole way through.

I have no idea how I found it, but to tell you how good it is, I don't know how I'd pass the time without it.

Major RPG Areas:

Graphics: Only decent. You do have to remember though, this was originally for the Sega CD. The best visual displays are shown in the awesome anime sequences, new to the PS version. The rest of the grahics are a little low resolution, but as everything in the game is 2D sprite based, it animates well.

Story: Ohhhh, my sweet lord! Thank you for giving Working Designs the gift of good translation. Dialogue is downright great. This is one of the few RPGs that make me laugh while playing. The story is epic, and it seems amazing to me that the quest is only 30 hours long. But to catch all the nuances in the game, you'll probably replay it. I did.

Characters: Just like the story, WD knows how to deliver here. The characters really have charisma, and they evolve nicely through the story. (Oh yeah, and the female characters are puurrty- try finding the bromides + reaching the secret spring.)

Sound: Let me just say one thing; I have never heard better voice acting in any game I've ever played, it really boosts the story and character development. The music is also quite good, especially the two spoken songs. Sometimes I even find myself humming in the shower.

Battle System: A little above average. Somewhere between Grandia and Star Ocean lies Lunar's battle system. It seems a little dated, and it is, as many battles are just tap-tap-tap. Pretty straight-forward, too. You can defend, attack, use items, perform magic, set automatic battle tactics, or run away. And I really like the fact that you can see enemies in dungeons so you can avoid battle as you please.

Other Notables: It also comes in a nice collector's box with a cloth map, leather-bound instruction manual, a music CD, and a 'Making Of' CD. Definitely worth it.

Overall: This game is so much more than a sum of its parts; its an experience. Its American, but its still so Japanese. This one ranks up there with FFIII and Grandia as my favorite RPGs of all time.