The eagerly awaited Lunar Remastered Collection is scheduled to launch on April 18. Developed by Game Arts and published by GungHo Online Entertainment, this collection brings the first two Lunar games to modern consoles with updated graphics, re-recorded soundtracks, and several enhancements. The collection will be available on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam, and it will also be compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The announcement of the Lunar Remastered Collection came as a pleasant surprise during a Sony State of Play event in 2024, thrilling many JRPG enthusiasts. The Lunar series, which debuted with Lunar: The Silver Star on the Sega CD in 1992 and continued with Lunar: Eternal Blue in 1994, has a rich history. Both games were later remade for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn under the titles Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete. The series is renowned for its excellence on the Sega Saturn, and the remastered collection is highly anticipated by fans.
GungHo Online Entertainment has confirmed that the Lunar Remastered Collection will be released on April 18 for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC, with compatibility for current-gen consoles. Physical editions will be available in select stores in North America and Europe. The remaster includes modern enhancements such as widescreen support, revamped pixel art, and high-definition cutscenes. For those who prefer the original experience, a classic mode is available, allowing players to switch to PS1-era graphics at any time.
The collection also features fully voiced dialogue in both Japanese and English, along with newly added French and German subtitles. In terms of gameplay, players can enjoy a speed-up command for combat and new strategies for auto-battle, which are designed to enhance the gaming experience. These quality-of-life features are becoming standard in remasters and remakes of classic JRPGs, as seen in titles like Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake and the upcoming Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster.
The Lunar series is part of a growing trend of classic JRPGs being revitalized for modern platforms. While the financial success of the Lunar Remastered Collection remains to be seen, the positive reception of the Grandia HD Collection, a previous collaboration between Game Arts and GungHo Online Entertainment, suggests a promising outlook.