Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete (review)

You see, Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete was one of my favorite RPGs ever. The game looked no better than your average 16-bit RPG, and it was only about 20 hours long. But what a 20 hours it was! The story was simple yet charming, helped along by powerful anime cinemas. Working Designs' translation was flawless, and packed with tons of humor. Alex, Luna, and the rest of the characters are dynamic and memorable. And the ending was so touching it defied description.

Likewise, I loved the sequel, Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete. But not everyone will.

Like its predecessor, Eternal Blue Complete is an old game, and it shows its age visually. The graphics consist of small, deformed sprites and somewhat bland-looking environments. Gamers who cut their teeth on 32-bit RPGs might have a hard time adapting to the old-school look of the Lunar series. It doesn't contain the eye candy of games like Final Fantasy IX or Legend of Dragoon. It doesn't even come close. However, if you can overlook the dated look of the game, you'll find that Lunar 2 offers one of the most fulfilling role-playing experiences you can find.

The cast of characters straddles the line between stereotype and uniqueness. Even so, they still manage to emerge with their own well-developed personalities. There's Hiro, your basic, innocent young adventurer who falls in love and gets caught up in a quest to save the world. Lucia, the love interest, is actually a goddess (the guardian of the Blue Star that rests high above Lunar) who begins the game as a cold, unfeeling creature but gradually becomes more and more human.

Then there's the supporting cast of Ronfar, Jean, Lemina, and Ruby. Ronfar is a healer and a former priest who now takes pleasure in drinking, gambling, and womanizing. Jean is a gypsy dancer and a headstrong fighter. Lemina is a skilled magic user with an obsession for money. And Ruby, Hiro's adventuring companion, is a spunky (almost annoyingly cute) red dragon with a secret crush on her longtime friend.

Alone, each of them has a rather unique personality as well as their own private trials to overcome. True to form, the plot, though not as inspired and endearing as Silver Star Story Complete's classic tale, is once again refreshing in both its simplicity and its focus on the participants involved. However, it is the interaction of the six characters that steals the show and really allows Working Designs to shine with their trademark lowbrow humor. If anything, Lunar 2 is even funnier than its predecessor.

Go To Page: 1 2 3