Lunar Remastered Collection

The Lunar games are steeped in the ideas of the era and time they were made, and because of that, retaining the original vision is essential. I’m glad developer GungHo realized that for this collection, and I’m even happier these games can finally be played without hunting down an ultra-rare copy and dusty console.

These are two remarkable, classic games that have held up as well as any other retro JRPG, and one of them hasn’t actually been released in the West in a very long time (Lunar 2’s last release outside of Japan was on the PlayStation! You owe it to yourself to pick this up, because, in every way, these are truly vintage JRPG classics.

The Lunar games are delightful, classic RPGs, and the Lunar Remastered Collection makes them easier to play than ever. It doesn’t bring together all versions of each game for a truly comprehensive look at the series’ history, but it is a faithful update to the PS1 remakes.

Although it misses the opportunity to add more content, Lunar Remastered Collection brings two of the best non-Square Enix RPGs from the Sega CD/PS1 era back, correcting all of its flaws, bringing HD graphics to the table (animations included!), and a fast and fluid way to play these two incredible games. A must-buy for classic RPG fans.

In this era of endless releases where developers and publishers constantly seek ways to reinvent the wheel and push the capabilities of imagination, the Lunar Remastered Collection is a welcome and soothing throwback. While there is not much on the gameplay side of the package that is strikingly conspicuous, the moderate challenge requires steady upkeep. Plus, the real draws of both titles, the characters, soundtracks, and the setting, shine for those seeking heartfelt adventures that seamlessly balance humor, romance, and drama.

Lunar Silver Star Story Complete pulls together two classic RPGs that are as endearing and enjoyable as they were two decades ago.

Lunar Remastered Collection is a meticulously curated compilation that preserves the integrity of the original PlayStation versions while introducing subtle enhancements. Gameplay remains largely unaltered, with the most significant quality-of-life addition being adjustable battle speed controls, so some modern players may need to curve their expectations. This feature streamlines combat, expediting minor encounters and grinding sessions. Lunar Remastered Collection showcases two exemplary JRPGs from the genre’s peak era and offers a compelling, accessible package at an attractive price, making it an essential experience for enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic yet refined presentation of these influential titles.

Both original Lunar games are undeniable classics of retro linear RPG storytelling. The Lunar Remastered Collection is a solid way to play these games, especially in the case of Eternal Blue, which has been stuck on the original PlayStation since launch. I’m slightly disappointed in the lack of options on offer, and a retranslation would have been appreciated, but this is a good way to play two fantastic RPGs. Gung Ho has clearly come a long way since Grandia’s controversial remaster, and I can only hope this signals a return for Game Arts. Their games have always had a pull on me, sparking my imagination and offering up fantasy adventures that set the standard for ideal comfort RPGs.

Lunar is a tremendous series, a crucial high point of RPG history that doesn’t get nearly enough love today. And the reasons for that are complicated enough that the Lunar Remastered Collection existing at all feels like a small miracle. For the most part it’s a success, opting for more of a restorative, hands-off approach meant to make it look like a literal widescreen conversion of a PlayStation game. There are some unfortunate pain points that keep a great re-release from being a total slam dunk, but the other side of that is a brand-new dub that makes up for the awkwardness with its high quality and reverence for the original. Overall, I commend GungHo for mostly letting these all-time classics speak for themselves. That’s all you really need to do with Lunar.

As a long time fan of the Lunar series, I am more than overjoyed to finally have one of my childhood JRPGs in a playable format on modern consoles. In 2025, I still find the series relevant and as charming as it was back when I was a starry-eyed child. I saw myself in Alex and Hiro; they were the heroes I wanted to be. Still, this is far from being a definitive collection. There's so much more that could accompany a package like this in addition to combat speed, a cleaner look, and widescreen presentation. Original English VO, missing games, art work, orchestrated soundtrack or even quality of life gameplay improvements could have pushed this to the high standards that companies like Square Enix and Capcom have set. I am happy that Lunar can now reach more people, but I long for more to share from such a cult classic and one of my all time favorites.

Thirty years later, Lunar and Lunar 2 are still excellent old school JRPGs on their own but this remastered compilation by GungHo is lackluster at best.

The Lunar Remastered Collection respects the enhanced PS1 versions while also making a few tweaks to modernise parts of each game. While not all changes are entirely successful, and there are other aspects that haven’t aged particularly well, we can’t deny that Silver Star Story and Eternal Blue are bursting with charm and wit that many RPGs today lack. They might not revolutionise the genre, but if you’re looking for a good time and have a little patience, you can do far, far worse.

The Lunar: Remastered Collection is a victim of its own faithfulness. While its upgraded visuals—the retro pixel art character sprites and environments and the hand-drawn cutscenes—are stunning, they only barely distract from an otherwise outdated RPG experience. Lunar’s stories and character might have felt fresh and original in the 1990s, but today, they come across as cliché and uninspired. There is fun to be had here, but there are plenty of other great modern RPGs, too. I have a hard time imagining anyone choosing to jump into the world of Lunar today if they don’t have pre-existing nostalgia for the series.