tiggerkiddo
Member
Sorry, lol. I don't know where my head was!
I think I'll play some SSSC today!
I think I'll play some SSSC today!
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LTTP: Lunar Silver Star Story Complete
- Thread starter 1stStrike
- Start date
Uh, the XSEED version script IS the Vic Ireland version, with some ill-fitting new stuff they added that's tonally not matched and a few pop culture things taken out. However, the bigger negatives are that the voice actors are different, the songs are different, and there are breaks in the music when you travel between areas.
It's easy to remember once you associate it with the much heavier religious-political tone of LUNAR2's story. At least then you're down to a 50/50 shot of putting it in the right version. I love when "experts" cite it as ruining their game by my bastardization of the Japanese grail that was the original script, though, because 8 times out of 10 it's the wrong version or the wrong game entirely. Outs them immediately as poseurs.
Fun Fact: original Japanese romanization was Arhes.
Victor Ireland, what are you up to these days?
Big Papa Husker
Member
I still haven't played Silver Star Story, but played Eternal Blue. Don't ask why I didn't play Lunar 1 first... I have no idea...
How could you hate Ramus? Maybe he's confusing it with Borgan in LUNAR2. There's a fat guy everyone hates.
BTW, Urban Dictionary entries for Borgan are pretty funny.
You don't know how disappointed I was to find this when I bought the Japanese PSP version. What the hell is アレス??
Off to a roaring start bastardizing a whole new Japanese series into an enjoyable English RPG fan experience.
http://www.classofheroes2.com
There are more pics and tidbits in my twitter, gaijin4life .
You're not the first. Others were very disappointed to find that the hicks from Meryod, and in fact the hillbilly, backwoods, sister-is-my-girlfriend tone of the whole town, was a complete fabrication on our end. Doesn't exist in any of the Japanese releases. Just punched up to bring a boring semi-important waypoint town to life and make it memorable.
I love his character, too. It's crazy that he's voiced by a thin woman. She brought him to life, really sounding like a fat, excitable adolescent male to me.
outunderthestars
Banned
Any rough release timeframe at this point?
We're in what I hope is the final round of testing right now, so Late Jan/Early Feb is most-likely. We're still trying to work out the details to offer a pre-order only physical UMD version+digital code bundle. We should know if it's going to work by the beginning of the second week in Jan. That aside, it will launch as a PSN game here and in Europe, though Europe will probably not be day and date with the US.
outunderthestars
Banned
Black Republican
Member
loved the psp game, dont laugh
havent played the 2nd one though
havent played the 2nd one though
A Black Falcon
Member
It's probably been mentioned, but the PSP version is completely different from the PS1 version; the area maps are all new, it uses a GBA Lunar-style overworld, the difficulty is a lot lower, and more. The changes to the script and voice acting are the least of the differences between versions. At least it's better than the GBA version by far (that one doesn't even have Lunar battles, and instead just has two lines of characters which jump out and hit eachother... at least the PSP version keeps the original battle system), but still, it's nowhere remotely as good as the PS1 version. The new, small PSP dungeons are pretty uninteresting compared to the Sega CD or PS1 dungeons.
As for PS1 versus Sega CD, yeah, the first game had some significant story changes in the PS1 version. Many fans like the original version more, but I think that the PS1 version counters it by its major story addition: making Luna a playable character through the first quarter or so of the game. On the SCD, she just stays at home the whole time. It's nowhere near as good, and really hurts your understanding of Alex and Luna's relationship. This also makes some early parts of the SCD version much harder, and not in a good way (that sewer dungeon with no healer... ugh!). Also I like the PS1's visible enemies, instead of the SCD's random battles, and that a few little puzzles were added in the dungeons. However, the SCD has more mazelike dungeons, for people who prefer that, and has battles in the overworld too (which takes time to navigate) instead of just dungeons/zoomed-in areas. Also of course those "bromide" images were added in the PS1 version and don't exist on the Sega CD.
I like the PS1 version more overall, but the SCD version is different, and good, enough to be worth trying. As for the GBA and PSP versions, though... eh, pass, probably.
As for Lunar 2, it didn't have nearly as many changes to the story as Lunar 1 did; it's mostly the same game on PS1 that it was on SCD, except with the same additions Lunar 1 had (that is, visible enemies instead of random battles, slightly simplified dungeons, and the removal of random battles and long travel times in the overworld). The PS1 version did change a few story details, added a second bath scene (that first bath scene in the PS1 version is new and doesn't exist on the SCD), and changed the second bath scene too to sort of mess up Lucia's character a bit versus the SCD original (I like the original version more, but I won't say more because of spoilers), but otherwise the two versions are similar.
I think I like the SCD version a little more this time, overall, but they're both great of course. It's really too bad that Lunar 2 hasn't been re-released since the PS1; the game is, I would say, better than Lunar 1, and it deserves some of the attention Lunar 1 has gotten in its now three releases that have not been answered by Lunar 2 ports (GBA, PSP, iOS). Oh, and Magical School Lunar! is still a Japanese-only Sega Saturn exclusive... and yes, it's fun.
Grindy game is grindy.
I remember waiting with bated breath for this game when it was released. Saved up my goddamn lunch money for it and starved every day while I waited. Fucking High School was catered too, so I had to pass up pizza and tacos and all that good shit. First world problems, man.
Loved it from the first moment to the last, and then I waited until EB was released. By then I had a job, so I wasn't starving. I know it's not a popular opinion, but EB is a shitty game. It doesn't have the same great charm of the first cast, the storyline is very meh, and the gameplay is even MORE unforgiving than SSSC. The soundtrack is also bad when compared to the first.
I know Vic posts here so I don't want to offend him, but I truly think you guys went overboard on the localization and the pop culture references with that one. I could deal with it in the first game, but when you guys started throwing around Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinski jokes, as well as extremely dated references to the Rock? You guys lost me.
I remember waiting with bated breath for this game when it was released. Saved up my goddamn lunch money for it and starved every day while I waited. Fucking High School was catered too, so I had to pass up pizza and tacos and all that good shit. First world problems, man.
Loved it from the first moment to the last, and then I waited until EB was released. By then I had a job, so I wasn't starving. I know it's not a popular opinion, but EB is a shitty game. It doesn't have the same great charm of the first cast, the storyline is very meh, and the gameplay is even MORE unforgiving than SSSC. The soundtrack is also bad when compared to the first.
I know Vic posts here so I don't want to offend him, but I truly think you guys went overboard on the localization and the pop culture references with that one. I could deal with it in the first game, but when you guys started throwing around Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinski jokes, as well as extremely dated references to the Rock? You guys lost me.
You speak like these are not important stuff. (especially the song that finally tackles Luna issues instead of random words about dreams and stars)
Interesting enough, without spoiling anything, there's a minor plot point even EB PS1 references from the Sega CD version, that the PS1 remake of SSS didn't have. So it might actually better to go with what you have in this case. Maybe someone whose played both versions can point out other tidbits.
idlethreats
Member
Yeah. While I vastly prefer LSSSC to LSSH, I think XSEED's version of Luna's song is one area where their version comes out on top. I thought their voiceovers were fine too, though I was never particularly attached to the originals. To me, SSH's biggest problems were the lack of difficulty and the simplification of the world design - no more explorable world map, smaller towns/dungeons, etc.
I have no problem with her issues being worked out if the words actually had any musicality. It's like the most ham-fisted anime fan dub version. They don't even follow the melody most of the time, jamming extra words in just to get a point across. There's no flow.
No offense taken. I'm just glad you were dedicated enough to save lunch money to buy our games.
The pop culture thing got better as we moved along. It's actually still lighter than the SEGA CD version. It was a moving target, though. I tried to keep it balanced. On The Rock references, believe it or not, I didn't even get that one when we did it. I was tag teaming the writing with Zach and he's a huge wrestling fan, so that's where that came from. I was like, "well, that's a random thing to say" but that was it. I didn't actually realize where it came from until much later.
Gee, I hope so! I just got to the first town after getting through the dungeon with the white dragon. I totally forgot how hard RPG's were back in the day. Like, shit is a cake walk in comparison these days.
They're just like - hey, we should go here and there's no mini map, arrows, quest markers, or anything. Gotta actually pay attention and expect to get lost repeatedly trying to figure things outNot to mention I died at least half a dozen times in that first dungeon as the enemies kicked my ass. I had no healing items and was barely hanging on for dear life for a while there. I'm glad you have the option of avoiding (most) enemies in this game.
Very entertaining summary of your initial experience. This is the kind of adventuring I love because it really *feels* like an adventure. The general dumbing-down of RPGs over the last 10 years makes me sad. Demon's Souls was a shining ray of hope, though.
terrisus
Member
Victor, I know you've probably shared them before, but, what are your thoughts on Lunar Legend for GBA anyway? Obviously many of the down sides are readily apparent even without having yet played the PS1 version to compare, but, given that I've played through the GBA version, but have the PS1 version sitting there just waiting for me to play it, I'm probably in for practically a whole new experience, aren't I?
You're in for a whole different, and significantly better, experience on the PS1 version. I can't dog on any of the blatantly obvious problems with other versions in too much detail. Game Arts made that provision a part of the deal to buy back the LUNAR English rights. Literally in the contract. They knew what was coming. I don't know if that's even enforcable any more since WD is gone, but I'm still being much more gentle than I would normally be as a result (and hoping, like all fans of the series, for a rebirth that will never come).
terrisus
Member
Yeah, I think I remember having seen you mention that before too - that you literally weren't allowed to get into your specific feelings on it all. As you said, guess they knew there would be reason for people to be unhappy with what ended up being the result.
At the time, playing through Lunar Legend was more a matter of convenience than anything else, as it was easier to go through it in a handheld form. Although, of course, there are other options for playing through it in a portable form now as well. But, at the time, I had been hearing plenty about the Lunar series for years, and it was a way to at least try it out. Needless to say, though, not the best way to be introduced to playing it.
As I said, I did finally get the PS1 version of it last year, but just haven't gotten to playing it yet. Part of the reason has been that I have so many other games I've gotten recently that I haven't even played yet. At the same time, I guess, comparing Lunar Legend to Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, it's probably just about fair to say that I haven't even played that yet, given how much better it seems to be.
At the time, playing through Lunar Legend was more a matter of convenience than anything else, as it was easier to go through it in a handheld form. Although, of course, there are other options for playing through it in a portable form now as well. But, at the time, I had been hearing plenty about the Lunar series for years, and it was a way to at least try it out. Needless to say, though, not the best way to be introduced to playing it.
As I said, I did finally get the PS1 version of it last year, but just haven't gotten to playing it yet. Part of the reason has been that I have so many other games I've gotten recently that I haven't even played yet. At the same time, I guess, comparing Lunar Legend to Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, it's probably just about fair to say that I haven't even played that yet, given how much better it seems to be.
I have have mentioned it before, but this is why I have little interest in all the cheap Class of Heroes games over here in Japan (PSP has 3 or 4 and the 3DS has 1 I think?) because I probably wouldn't like the game without the polish (the font itself makes a big difference.. why can't people realize this!) Will prob import from America.. not sure if that's a pre-order or just picking up a US PSN card online (and figuring out how to play American games online).
Since I didn't sign any sort of disclosure agreements and I've never worked for a video game company, I'll say what Vic wants to say but cannot.
MAN, THEY FUCKED IT ALL UP.
Kuro Madoushi
Unconfirmed Member
Vic did you happen to catch that other thread with the guy who got a weird message saying not to try and rip music from EB? Can you confirm something was there? Dude said he couldn't recreate it....?
It's a message I hid in the XA audio stream to freak kids out in the middle of the night when they're hacking the discs. Basically the devil commending you for coming to his side. You can hear it on youtube. Someone ripped it and put it up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDunXSSQu9o
You could only hear it if you were ripping the audio externally from the game on a PC. I've hidden things in almost all the games for fans to find. Some have been found, some haven't. This was one of my favorites, though. Just hearing back about the stories of kids that were freaked out when they found it was worth all the effort.
Fun fact: People often mistake the voice as Zophar, but it's actually me with a real-time pitch shifter (Eventide, for those that are into rack mount electronics) doing it live. 1 take freestyled after a long day.
Kuro Madoushi
Unconfirmed Member
Hah! Thanks, Vic.
Not sure if there is anything for me to add since we've had so many of these exact threads and I played all of them to death.
I guess I can say that the first time I played it, it felt like a world was opening up and I was experiencing it. There is a charm there that not many other games had and it's something a lot of RPGs lack today.
My favourite though is the original Sega CD version. I was tricked by the quality of this game to expect there were more games this good on that system. NOPE! My sega CD also broke before I could play EB and I was pissed. Never got the chance to experience it til the PSone version was released years later.
Not sure if there is anything for me to add since we've had so many of these exact threads and I played all of them to death.
I guess I can say that the first time I played it, it felt like a world was opening up and I was experiencing it. There is a charm there that not many other games had and it's something a lot of RPGs lack today.
My favourite though is the original Sega CD version. I was tricked by the quality of this game to expect there were more games this good on that system. NOPE! My sega CD also broke before I could play EB and I was pissed. Never got the chance to experience it til the PSone version was released years later.
That is an awesome clip!
That's pretty awesome, Vic. One thing I love about gaf is a lot of developers from "ages past" tend to hang around the forums and fill us in on things that we'd never have known otherwise.
I'm picking up where I left off last night for part 2 of my play through. While I realize RPG's tend to be pretty boring to watch (especially as someone fumbles their way through the first time) it's there if you want to hop in.
I'm picking up where I left off last night for part 2 of my play through. While I realize RPG's tend to be pretty boring to watch (especially as someone fumbles their way through the first time) it's there if you want to hop in.
terrisus
Member
I guess the main thing I'm curious about is - obviously I know the graphics, movies, music, voices, translation, and such like that are all changed/different/worse/missing entirely, that much is pretty apparent even without really having played the PS1 version yet (I mean, I started it up for like 10 minutes when I got it to make sure it worked, but that was about it). Other than that stuff though (which granted, of course, is pretty major), what else is there that I should be aware of?
I don't have a list off the top of my head, but some Google searching led me to a reasonable post on the GameFAQs forums:
GameFAQs said:
MotionBlue
Member
Awesome, amazing game. Still have my CE for Playstation 1.
Definitely play Lunar 2: Eternal Blue to complete the series. I've been trying to find a replacement copy for years, it's rare/expensive sadly.
Definitely play Lunar 2: Eternal Blue to complete the series. I've been trying to find a replacement copy for years, it's rare/expensive sadly.
terrisus
Member
Ah. Yeah, that's the sort of thing I was wondering about, major changes to the actual structure of the game. The first two there are pretty big things to make me think I'll enjoy the PS1 version even more. Not as sure about that third one, since I do tend to prefer more traditional battle systems, but, it doesn't sound too dramatic, not like it's all of a sudden an action game or something.
I know I've needed to for a while, but I really should play through the PS1 version.
Laughing Banana
Weeping Pickle
A fantastic game. A real testament to the mantra that in order that there's no need for "philosophical" or "sophisticated" bullshit for a story to be called great. Great characters, with easy to understand yet very compelling story to boot. And it's actually quite challenging!
The way LSSSC handles movement in battles is very well done. It's probably not what you think.
Big Papa Husker
Member
HAHA! That was hilariously awesome! =D
A Black Falcon
Member
Did you miss my post? I pointed out most of that stuff. Basically, the Sega CD has one set of levels, with random battles, etc (see my other post above).
The PS1/Saturn version tells a similar story, but has all-new (and, yes, smaller) level maps, removes overworld battles and shrinks travel times significantly (though explorable areas have been added in some places, so you're not only fighting in dungeons), has visible enemies in the map, etc (see my other post for more changes). The game is slightly easier than the original SCD version, but still is a solid challenge for sure.
Then the GBA version again has all-new maps, except this time with much less interesting traditional JRPG battles, and random battles return too. They also made the game a LOT easier; this one isn't hard to finish.
The PSP version has new maps for the fourth time, with smaller areas than ever, but visible enemies and the original battle system do return, at least. As with the GBA version, it's fairly easy.
All Lunar games, I should mention, have save anywhere. That is something consistent through all releases in the franchise: Lunar games always let you save anytime you're not in battle. Pretty great.
Yeah, Lunar 1/2's standard battle system is pretty simple for a battle system with movement. It's not a full tactical system with specific location-based movement, you just tell your character to attack an enemy and they'll move towards them and such. It works well and is a great battle system for sure; I like strategic combat, and while this isn't quite that, it's got some depth to it while also being simple and fun. They found a good balance.
terrisus
Member
Oops, sorry about that, I see I did. Going back to read through that now as well.
And sorry about kind of side-tracking the topic, but, I guess I'm kind of LTTP on this as well anyway.
I'm up past the magic academy now and off to hunt down the so-called Dragonmaster in the swamp (called it there for the night). The cave trial wasn't bad up until I got to the boss - really had to play smart there as any wasted actions would basically lead to my death. Group heals are expensive and the boss liked to spam group attacks. It took me 3 tries to get past him, but was pretty happy when I did.
Oh and the Luna boat song scene was fantastic. I really liked the song itself, as well as the atmosphere of the cut scene. It's definitely going up there with some other game songs in my favorites list.
Really liking the game so far, and I suspect that Ghaleon at the academy is the bad guy. He just oozed evil when I talked to him.
Oh and the Luna boat song scene was fantastic. I really liked the song itself, as well as the atmosphere of the cut scene. It's definitely going up there with some other game songs in my favorites list.
Really liking the game so far, and I suspect that Ghaleon at the academy is the bad guy. He just oozed evil when I talked to him.
deddonpachi
Member
i love the psp version. it's soooo pretty! i also heard it's a little easier than the other versions, but i'm ok with that.
Ya, I would even say the PS1 games are difficult to a fault.
That was a really special experience recording that particular song. Probably my all-time favorite, with the Cosmic Fantasy 2 closing song behind. Both were just great recording experiences for songs packed with emotional meaning.
We spent a LOT of time getting the intake of breath and the unsteady "is my" at the end *just right*. It had to communicate her uncertain state of mind perfectly.