Lunar Remastered Collection: A Glorious Return of a JRPG Legend
Once upon a PlayStation, there was a JRPG so magical, so ahead of its time, it came with a hardcover art book, an orchestral soundtrack, and yes—full-blown anime cutscenes. In 2025, Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete are back, bundled into the stunning Lunar Remastered Collection, releasing April 18 on PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam.
And guess what? The anime cutscenes are still glorious.
The Core of Lunar: What Made It Special
The original Lunar games, developed by Game Arts and published by Working Designs, weren’t just JRPGs—they were emotional journeys. With cinematic anime storytelling, voice-acted characters, and orchestral scores, Lunar was light-years ahead of its peers back in the ’90s.
When these games first landed on the PS1 (and later PS2 in compilation form), the full-motion anime sequences blew minds. It was one of the first RPGs to truly feel like you were playing an anime series. Fast-forward to 2025, and those same cutscenes have been remastered in HD, breathing new life into an already timeless narrative.
What’s New in the Lunar Remastered Collection
The team behind this remaster understood the assignment. The collection doesn’t just upscale visuals and call it a day—it’s packed with thoughtful enhancements:
- HD Widescreen Support: The classic pixel art gets a modern facelift in full widescreen with beautifully redrawn assets.
- New English Voiceovers: A fresh dub enhances the dialogue without compromising the tone of the original.
- Unified Inventory System: Quality-of-life updates streamline gameplay, especially in Lunar 1.
- Custom Battle Speeds: Players can now tweak the pace of battles to suit their style.
- Classic Mode Option: For those chasing nostalgia, toggle back to CRT-style visuals and original graphics.
- Anime Cutscenes in HD: The crown jewels are back—and sharper than ever.
Lunar’s Legacy in the RPG World
Long before Final Fantasy X made people cry or Persona was a household name, Lunar pioneered cinematic storytelling in RPGs. It introduced players to deeply human characters, heartfelt romances, and stakes that felt personal—not just world-ending.
Its influence can be felt in narrative-driven games to this day, especially those that blend visual novel storytelling with RPG mechanics. For many, Lunar was the first game that felt like it respected your emotional investment.
Collectors Still Love Lunar
Original copies of Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete are now treasured collectibles. A full PlayStation box set—complete with discs, soundtrack, art book, and cloth map—can go for upwards of $114.10 on the resale market. That’s not just nostalgia—that’s a legacy.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Play for JRPG Fans
If you’re a JRPG fan, a storytelling nerd, or someone who just loves anime-style charm with heart, the Lunar Remastered Collection is a no-brainer. It brings everything that made the original special into the modern era, without sacrificing its soul.
With a launch date of April 18, 2025, and a platform list longer than a JRPG’s final boss fight, this is your chance to (re)experience one of gaming’s most heartfelt adventures.
