cj_iwakura
Member
It's among the worst versions. Get Sega CD or PS1.
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Lunar series: What's the difference between the Psx and Sega Cd versions?
- Thread starter goldenpp72
- Start date
It's among the worst versions. Get Sega CD or PS1.
Black Door
Banned
PSP has weird loading and limit breaks that break the game balance
Some Nobody
Junior Member
This is blasphemy that I'll only forgive because you're a fellow Lunar fan.
At some point I do want to play the Sega CD version, just to have more time with Alex and the rest, though.
cj_iwakura
Member
Well, the PSX/Sega CD comparison to Lunar TSS is subjective.
But EB? No question. Classic wins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmUcy_VBB7g
Same compositions, but EB CD used red book audio to beautiful effect.
Vincent Alexander
Member
Lunar and Arc the Lad II. Two of my favorite RPGs of all time. Thank God for Working Designs.
I prefer the PSX Lunar myself. Most have pointed out the differences already.
I prefer the PSX Lunar myself. Most have pointed out the differences already.
Sseklebeast
Member
Great memories here, damn.
I always loved the opening movie because the song just fit it so well. Now I want to play it again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ssFY8Irw_lA#t=259
cj_iwakura
Member
No words for how excited I was when I first heard those notes.
KiteGr
Member
I've been playing the PSP version...
It is supposed to be close to the PS1 version, with (almost) handdrawn background and world map, the map now functions like a menu (zero combat or exploration) and there are special limit breaks.
The PSP improvements make the game worse.
It is supposed to be close to the PS1 version, with (almost) handdrawn background and world map, the map now functions like a menu (zero combat or exploration) and there are special limit breaks.
The PSP improvements make the game worse.
- With zero/instant W-map exploration the game is now extremely boring as there is nothing to break the ice between dungeons. The game now is nothing but dungeons.
- The hand-drawn areas appear to be small with tons of rooms.
- The limit breaks make the characters appear extremely powerful.
- There are no subtitles for the Anime cut-scenes and their volume is low by default, witch is criminal for a portable game that you're supposed to play in non soundproof environments.
SupraDarky
Member
I played the Sega CD versions first and they're the ones I prefer, especially the music. Eternal Blue's final boss theme is one of my favorites ever! When it gets going at 1:30 it becomes amazing.
NinjamicWZ
Banned
I just want to tell you to buy both Lunar games for Sega CD collection reasons... get Snatcher, Sonic CD, Popful Mail, Heart of the Alien, Shining Force CD, Final Fight, Ecco: The Tides of Time, Earthworm Jim: SE, and The Misadventures of Flink
Robert at Zeboyd Games
Banned
Other than the GBA version being awful & the PSP version being flawed, you're not going to get much consensus among the Lunar fanbase on the best version.
My personal opinion is that the PS1 version of Lunar 1 is clearly superior to the Sega CD version (which I thought was a fairly mediocre game). Lunar 2 is a closer call since there isn't as big of a difference between the two versions and there are some things that the SCD version does better, but I'd still go with the PS1 version since it has some bonus content, more character customization via accessories, and a clearly better soundtrack.
In both cases, the PS1 versions have a definite advantage in that you don't have to play them on the Sega CD (bad load times, unreliable hardware, etc).
My personal opinion is that the PS1 version of Lunar 1 is clearly superior to the Sega CD version (which I thought was a fairly mediocre game). Lunar 2 is a closer call since there isn't as big of a difference between the two versions and there are some things that the SCD version does better, but I'd still go with the PS1 version since it has some bonus content, more character customization via accessories, and a clearly better soundtrack.
In both cases, the PS1 versions have a definite advantage in that you don't have to play them on the Sega CD (bad load times, unreliable hardware, etc).
Nikkuthulu
Member
Something I remember from Eternal Blue Sega CD version was you had two forms of experience. You had physical experience which governed your levels, while magic experience was used to upgrade and unlock new spells/techniques where each character had (if I remember right) two rows. Like Hiro for example had Sword and Boomerang paths.
Now the two catches..
Magic experience was ALSO how you saved the game. So you couldn't really go save scumming all the time. Not enough M-Exp, no save. The other big catch was in a later fight if you did not have a specific skill for a certain character you could not beat the fight period. Like, literally impossible to do damage to the target kinda thing. Was a bit rough.
Borgan in the PSX/Saturn version is a complete push-over where in the Sega CD he's a complete monster and quite possibly one of the roughest bosses in RPGs. (Something like you have him who can do this uber blast every few rounds, one orb was like support, another orb protected him and the third orb helped with attacks. Where the PSX/Saturn was just everything counted as just one target.)
Obvious other tweaks, changes in the boss fights. Something else that I remember with the US version of Lunar SSSC was if you played the demo disc and moved Alex's ocarina to another inventory and then transferred your data, you couldn't beat the game. That was a huge oversight of a bug that some people got hit by.
Now the two catches..
Magic experience was ALSO how you saved the game. So you couldn't really go save scumming all the time. Not enough M-Exp, no save. The other big catch was in a later fight if you did not have a specific skill for a certain character you could not beat the fight period. Like, literally impossible to do damage to the target kinda thing. Was a bit rough.
Borgan in the PSX/Saturn version is a complete push-over where in the Sega CD he's a complete monster and quite possibly one of the roughest bosses in RPGs. (Something like you have him who can do this uber blast every few rounds, one orb was like support, another orb protected him and the third orb helped with attacks. Where the PSX/Saturn was just everything counted as just one target.)
Obvious other tweaks, changes in the boss fights. Something else that I remember with the US version of Lunar SSSC was if you played the demo disc and moved Alex's ocarina to another inventory and then transferred your data, you couldn't beat the game. That was a huge oversight of a bug that some people got hit by.
cj_iwakura
Member
Eternal Blue SCD also had a boss that was completely removed from EBC, the Star Dragon Guardian.
I've never understood why GameArts is the only company that takes content away from their remakes.
Probably has to do with Studio Alex having by and large left the company.
I always wanted the Saturn MPEG version of Lunar Silver Star Story Complete.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE33yYkKui8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE33yYkKui8
Robert at Zeboyd Games
Banned
Yeah, IIRC, the Saturn versions of the games are slightly better than the PS1 versions but unfortunately since the Saturn didn't do so hot outside of Japan, they were never brought over here.
spookyfish
Member
Agree. The music was better on the Sega CD.
SkylineRKR
Member
I remember having fought the Star Dragon in the PSX Epilogue (1 v 1 bout), but the SCD version has another one?
But I feel that Lunar 1 PSX/Sat is superior to the SCD, while Lunar 2 is the other way around. Lunar 2 is best on SCD.
I think they were, I used to have them and play with guide. I beat the PSX versions as well, but the Saturn versions did feel better. Saturn versions FMV had more artefacts though, not counting MPEG edition which I never had.
But I feel that Lunar 1 PSX/Sat is superior to the SCD, while Lunar 2 is the other way around. Lunar 2 is best on SCD.
I think they were, I used to have them and play with guide. I beat the PSX versions as well, but the Saturn versions did feel better. Saturn versions FMV had more artefacts though, not counting MPEG edition which I never had.
The PSX version is superior. I owneed both Lunar and Lunar 2 on Sega CD back in the mid 90s, they were great games but the "Compete Edition" improved some of the more nagging elements and improved the graphics drastically. I would say stick with the PSX unless you want to go for a trip down memory lane.
Nikkuthulu
Member
Oh yeah. I had completely forgot bout the guardian. They also changed that dungeon theme from the unique song to one of previously played tracks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85epYgHdpSM
Though you reminded me about another change.
Yeah. It's quite different in the SCD version.
Star Dragon Spoilers:
There were a few removed boss fights, during one very random dungeon Lucia stops and says she feels a familiar presence. Out of nowhere this Space Samurai Cowboy talks to Lucia and then jumps your party.
Takes a cheap shot on your group. Like first time this happens he stuns everyone but Hiro. After the fight, he scolds Lucia bout the time not being right to use the gateay and leaves. He attacks again later on, again with no warning or hint it's coming. Finally at the Star Dragon Tower, it turns out this guy's duty is to guard the pathway to Lucia and the Blue Star until it's revived. Like the 1 on 1 fight in the PSX/Saturn, that part remains... but he cheap shots the fight as well.
I called him a Space Samurai Cowboy cause when you see him, he first has the cowbow poncho thing going, throws it off and he looks like a samurai style armor complete with a sword. ...And he has guns.
Takes a cheap shot on your group. Like first time this happens he stuns everyone but Hiro. After the fight, he scolds Lucia bout the time not being right to use the gateay and leaves. He attacks again later on, again with no warning or hint it's coming. Finally at the Star Dragon Tower, it turns out this guy's duty is to guard the pathway to Lucia and the Blue Star until it's revived. Like the 1 on 1 fight in the PSX/Saturn, that part remains... but he cheap shots the fight as well.
I called him a Space Samurai Cowboy cause when you see him, he first has the cowbow poncho thing going, throws it off and he looks like a samurai style armor complete with a sword. ...And he has guns.
Part of me wants to think he was changed due to the complete lack of a map sprite or due to one of the methods of attack mentioned.
Dreams-Visions
Member
good man.
We made the Star Dragon Tower theme just for the US version. It wasn't in any of the Japanese releases. I felt that area needed something to feel more special, and the composer we used did an amazing job with it - feels right at home in LUNAR.
Robert at Zeboyd Games
Banned
Keep in mind that even if the music was better on Sega CD (which I don't think it was), it's going to sound a lot worse coming out of your SCD as opposed to your PS1/2/3.
I remember there was a program to rip the audio files for the SCD version of Lunar:EB to your PC way back in the day and I remember being shocked at how much better the exact same source material sounded coming out of my PC than they did in-game.
EDIT: The Star Dragon Tower theme was great. Awesome inclusion in the US version.
From what I remember, the Saturn MPEG version of SSSC is slightly better than the PS1 version (same content, practically same video quality, but better audio). EB on the other hand has more content and better graphics/video on the PS1, though the Saturn version still has better audio quality.
Nikkuthulu
Member
So that's why! I think that was such a great decision and I agree bout the composer. To this day it's still one of my favorite RPG tracks.
chickdigger802
Banned
What was the iOS based off? Think it was psx with the psp translation or something.
prankster101
Banned
Still waiting for that elusive PSX1 PSN release...
cj_iwakura
Member
It's still great.