| LUNAR Remastered Collection | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Join protagonists Alex and Hiro on their epic journey to save the enchanting worlds of LUNAR Remastered Collection. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
LUNAR Remastered Collection Review Overview
What is LUNAR Remastered Collection?
Summary of game, detailing genre, story premise, and featured gameplay. Ideally, this will already mostly be written on the EWK, so there shouldn't be too much work involved. Feel free to add in extra details you might've learned from playing it, but avoid putting in opinions just yet.
LUNAR Remastered Collection features:
⚫︎ Adventure
⚫︎ JRPG
⚫︎ Anime Cutscenes
⚫︎ Turn-Based Combat
⚫︎ Remastered visuals and audio
⚫︎ Quality of Life Improvements
⚫︎ Single Player
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about LUNAR Remastered Collection's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||||
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 Steam |
 PlayStation |
 Xbox |
 Switch |
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| Price | $49.99 | ||||||
LUNAR Remastered Collection Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Stunning Pixel Art Work and Animated Cutscenes Charming and Emotional Narratives Great New Additions and Updates |
Could Have Used More QoL Updates English Voice-Acting is a Mixed Bag |
LUNAR Remastered Collection Overall Score - 82/100
The LUNAR Remastered Collection may not reinvent the wheel, but it offers a polished and lovingly crafted experience that seamlessly blends nostalgia with modern sensibilities. Although it doesn’t push any boundaries as a remaster, it refreshes the classics with subtle yet meaningful improvements. Its age is evident at times, and the remaster can only do so much to mask some of the games' outdated flaws, but it still captures the essence of what made these titles so beloved. With its captivating story, endearing characters, and timelessly fun gameplay, LUNAR continues to shine as a charming and nostalgic journey that holds up remarkably well.
LUNAR Remastered Collection Story - 8/10
The LUNAR Remastered Collection brings together two timeless, enchanting adventures—Silver Star Story and Eternal Blue—reintroducing beloved protagonists Alex and Hiro to a new generation of players. While the first game, Silver Star Story, leans into a more straightforward and classic RPG formula, its charm remains undeniable. Where the collection truly shines, however, is in LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue, a sequel that elevates the series with a more emotionally resonant narrative, stronger character arcs, and refined storytelling.
LUNAR Remastered Collection Gameplay - 7/10
The core turn-based gameplay is still just as accessible and engaging as ever, making it a great entry point for anyone new to the JRPG genre. Smart quality-of-life improvements—like the speed-up toggle—help keep battles fast-paced and fun. That said, the game’s age does show in certain areas, especially with its outdated UI and menu navigation. While everything works as it should, a bit more polish here could’ve gone a long way in bringing it up to modern JRPG standards.
LUNAR Remastered Collection Visuals - 9/10
Visually, the game remains remarkably impressive even by today’s standards. The Remastered mode significantly enhances its presentation, showcasing a beautifully realized pixel art world, richly detailed character sprites, and stunningly animated cutscenes that elevate the overall experience. It’s genuinely impressive how well the visual design has stood the test of time. While traces of its age are still perceptible, the improved color palette, sharper text, newly illustrated character portraits, and widescreen support collectively bring a refined modern touch to a classic aesthetic.
LUNAR Remastered Collection Audio - 8/10
The audio has received a remarkable upgrade, featuring a delightfully charming and upbeat remastered soundtrack that breathes new life into the game’s atmosphere. Both the Japanese and English versions benefit from a fresh voice cast, adding a renewed energy to the dialogue. However, while the Japanese voice acting feels consistently fitting and polished, the English voiceovers can be a bit uneven—occasionally missing the mark or feeling slightly out of sync with the characters' personalities when compared to the original performances. Nonetheless, the overall audio presentation significantly enhances the immersive experience.
LUNAR Remastered Collection Value for Money - 9/10
For $50, you're getting an impressive two-for-one deal: Oblivion and its expansions, beautifully remastered into a package that easily offers 80 to 100+ hours of immersive gameplay. It's not just a trip down memory lane—it’s the most accessible and convenient way to experience this beloved RPG on modern consoles and PC.
LUNAR Remastered Collection Review: Nostalgia That Still Shines Bright
Fun fact: Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete—one of the remastered titles in this collection—was actually a 1996 remake of the original 1992 Sega CD game. I first played it on the PlayStation as a kid, and it absolutely blew my mind. It was one of my first JRPGs, and I’d never seen anything like it—the anime cutscenes, which are now a staple in the genre, felt groundbreaking back then.
Starting as Alex in Burg, dreaming of adventure with Ramus and Luna—it’s a core memory for me. Sadly, I didn’t get to play much of the sequel, so when I heard this remaster was happening, I was genuinely excited. I never expected this classic to make a comeback, and I’m so glad it did.
The World of Lunar is Magical
The LUNAR Remastered Collection invites players back to the magical world of Lunar—a land of floating islands, ancient dungeons, and mythic legends. At first glance, the setting may echo the familiar beats of a classic JRPG, but the remaster brings out the world’s quiet beauty in ways the original hardware never could. From peaceful villages bathed in soft light to eerie lairs crawling with monsters, each location feels lovingly enhanced, enriched by the series' deep-rooted lore centered around the Goddess Althena.
What makes this collection truly special is how it pairs both Silver Star Story and Eternal Blue together, allowing players to experience these tales back-to-back. The decision is genius, especially considering Eternal Blue takes place over a thousand years after the first game. It's fascinating to witness how the world has changed—and how your prior journey colors your perspective of the second game. That quiet familiarity, discovering remnants of a past life, gives the story unexpected emotional weight. Nostalgic yet a little melancholic, it evokes the passage of time and the sense that even in a fantasy world, nothing escapes change.
The tonal contrast between the two games is immediately evident. Silver Star Story opens with a youthful, idyllic tone as Alex dreams of becoming a Dragonmaster, joined by Luna, Nall, and Ramus. It feels like the start of a joyful adventure. In contrast, Eternal Blue starts with a more ominous vibe—Lucia, a mysterious woman, awakens with foreboding words, setting the stage for a more mature, complex tale. Moments later, the game shifts to Hiro and his partner Ruby, trapped in a monster-infested dungeon, setting the tone for a more dangerous and thrilling journey.
Visually, the remaster impresses. Players can switch between classic and remastered modes, but the updated graphics truly shine. Enhanced aspect ratios give a broader view of the environment while preserving the charm of the original. Animated cutscenes remain in their authentic 4:3 ratio, a choice that preserves the integrity of the hand-drawn animation. Character portraits have been beautifully redone, keeping their iconic '80s-inspired anime style but sharpening the lines and color palettes for modern displays.
The soundtrack is a highlight—underrated but unforgettable. The battle theme is ridiculously catchy, embedding itself in your memory for days. The voice acting has been completely re-recorded in both English and Japanese, though the Japanese dub is arguably the stronger of the two. Still, it's a commendable effort that breathes new life into these beloved characters.
Exploration is its own reward. The remaster has preserved the spirit of curiosity the original games encouraged, rewarding inquisitive players with rare collectibles, charming bromides, and lore-rich secrets hidden across the world.
Quality of Life Updates Keep Things Fresh
For those unfamiliar, Lunar: Silver Star Story is a quintessential example of classic JRPG design, offering a traditional turn-based combat system where strategic positioning and careful resource management are key to success. Players guide a party of heroes through a richly woven narrative, leveling up characters, equipping them with an array of magical abilities and gear, and engaging in increasingly complex battles. Exploration remains a central pillar, with labyrinthine dungeons, environmental puzzles, and hidden treasures evoking the spirit of genre-defining titles like Dragon Quest and early Final Fantasy.
Its sequel, Lunar 2: Eternal Blue, builds on this foundation with notable refinements and added tactical nuance. The core turn-based mechanics remain intact, but the introduction of the Crest System adds a compelling layer of customization—allowing players to combine crests for stat boosts and powerful magic synergies. The combat experience feels significantly more fluid and contemporary, thanks in large part to thoughtful modernizations.
Players can now adjust battle speed on the fly, choosing from three different paces to suit their preferences, while inventory management has been streamlined with a shared party inventory—eliminating the clunky item micromanagement of the past.
Moreover, the enhanced Auto-Battle system enables custom AI behavior per character, giving players the flexibility to automate encounters without sacrificing control. Healing items are now conveniently accessible from a single screen during combat, further smoothing the flow of battle. While the original combat system remains available as an option, the modernized version is a clear improvement—offering a more accessible, less grind-heavy experience. The once-punishing difficulty spikes and needlessly brutal grind spots have been softened, making progression more enjoyable without compromising the challenge.
All these enhancements culminate in a battle system that feels more rewarding and engaging, especially during the climactic journey to confront the Magic Emperor and the God of Destruction. The modernization doesn’t just update the mechanics—it elevates the entire experience, transforming a beloved classic into something both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary.
Needed a bit More Modern Magic
As much as I admire the effort that went into modernizing LUNAR Remastered Collection, there are a few areas where additional refinement could have elevated the overall experience—chief among them being the user interface and menus. While the minimalist design has its charm, it often feels more cumbersome than intuitive. The menu sits small and tucked off to the side, with a translucent background that, while stylish, can make text and item lists difficult to read—especially during busy or vibrant scenes.
This issue becomes more noticeable in battle, where the boxed menu layout feels awkwardly placed and somewhat outdated.
The contrast between the two games is stark: the first title uses a plain white background that lacks visual cohesion, while Eternal Blue improves things slightly with colored accents and more visually appealing elements. But both could benefit from a more streamlined and readable design.
There are also some curious omissions that stand out—such as the absence of an autosave function or a seamless toggle between classic and remastered modes. Features that have become standard in modern remasters, like enhanced maps or navigational aids, are also missing.
A simple addition like optional quest markers or clearer objectives could have significantly reduced the moments of aimless wandering. There were times when the game left me unsure of where to go next, as vague directions and a lack of clear prompts left too much to guesswork. Including accessibility options or quality-of-life features seen in recent remakes like Dragon Quest III HD-2D would have gone a long way toward bridging the gap between nostalgia and modern convenience.
The Quality of English Voice Dub Varies
One thing that really stood out to me—though not always in the best way—was the English voice dub. It’s kind of all over the place. Some characters sound great, others feel a bit off, and I don’t think it’s the actors’ fault. It feels more like a direction issue, where some lines come across like they’re just trying to imitate the original game instead of really becoming the character. Because of that, a few performances feel more like impressions than natural deliveries, which can make certain characters feel... well, not quite right.
Voice acting is such a big deal in JRPGs—it helps bring the world to life and makes the characters feel real and interesting. If it were just one or two off moments, I’d be fine with it, but there are several characters—especially in the first game—where the voices didn’t quite land for me.
Luna’s performance, in particular, felt kind of flat compared to how she was portrayed originally. Ronfar and even Nall had their awkward moments too. That said, the main characters do a pretty solid job, and there are some standout scenes where the dub really works. It just makes the weaker moments even more noticeable.
If you’re a fan of English dubs, you’ll probably still enjoy it—it’s not bad, just a inconsistent. But personally, I found the Japanese dub way more natural and emotionally engaging. And that’s coming from someone who usually prefers English dubs in games.
Is LUNAR Remastered Collection Worth It?
A Nostalgic Adventure That Holds Up
Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, this remaster is the perfect entry point into the magic of classic RPGs. Despite its flaws, the remaster preserves the original’s nostalgic charm while adding just enough polish for a fresh experience. Without the rose-tinted glasses, it’s still a genuinely good game with a lovely, charming story. For $50, it's a fantastic way to relive the nostalgia and see how well it holds up. I’m hoping they remaster the other LUNAR games in the future—better than ever!
| Digital Storefronts | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
PlayStation |
Xbox |
Switch |
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| Price | $49.99 | ||||||
LUNAR Remastered Collection FAQ
How Many Languages Does LUNAR Remastered Collection Support?
The game has both English and Japanese voiceovers and subtitle support for English, Japanese, French, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, and German.
Can You Switch Between Remastered Mode and Classic Mode in LUNAR Remastered Collection?
Yes, the game does offer the option to switch between these visual modes, but there's a small catch—you'll need to return to the main menu to toggle between them.
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LUNAR Remastered Collection Product Information
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| Title | LUNAR Remastered Collection |
|---|---|
| Release Date | April 18, 2025 |
| Developer | ASHIBI Co., Ltd., GAME ARTS Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | GungHo America |
| Supported Platforms | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series XIS, Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | JRPG, Adventure |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | T |
| Official Website | LUNAR Remastered Collection Website |
