Lunar: The Silver Star
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| Lunar: The Silver Star | |
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| Developer(s) | Studio Alex |
| Publisher(s) |  Game Arts Working Designs |
| Designer(s) | Toshiyuki Kubooka (character) |
| Release date(s) | June 26, 1992 December, 1993 |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | VRC: MA-13 |
| Platform(s) | Sega CD |
| Media | 1 × CD-ROM |
Lunar: The Silver Star (ルナ~サ・シルバースター Runa Za Shirubā Sutā) is the first game in the Lunar series and a console RPG created by Game Arts for the Mega CD platform in Japan. It was the most popular game for the platform in Japan during the Mega CD's short lifespan, topping Sega popularity charts for months.
In North America, Lunar: The Silver Star became the first Sega CD release for the publisher Working Designs, coming out in December 1993. It quickly became the Sega CD's most popular Role Playing Game and the 3rd best-selling Sega CD game of 1993 despite it's December release. The title developed a huge following after rave reviews and has remained one of the most popular console RPGs of all time.
An enhanced remake was later released on the Sega Saturn and PlayStation, reaching North America as Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete.
Contents |
[edit] The World of Lunar
Lunar: The Silver Star takes place on the world of Lunar, where a planet called the Blue Star shines in the heavens. The people of Lunar believe that ages ago they lived on the Blue Star, but they were driven away by war. Their goddess, Althena, went to the dead world of Lunar, filled it with life using her magic and settled her people there. She has watched over them ever since, occasionally reincarnating to live among them.
Because Althena is all that prevents Lunar from reverting to a dead world, she has many protectors, and foremost among them are the Four Dragons and the Dragonmaster. Designated the White Dragon, Blue Dragon, Red Dragon and Black Dragon, the Four Dragons are the most powerful magical creatures on Lunar, and have existed since the dawn of the world. Meanwhile, the Dragonmaster is a human who is Althena's sworn protector. The Dragonmaster has even greater powers than the Four Dragons, and only those who prove their courage and resourcefulness to the Four Dragons can become Dragonmaster.
The air, water, and vegetation of Lunar are all products of the Goddess Althena's magic, and it also exists in the souls of the humans who live there. As a result, nearly everyone in Lunar can use at least a little bit of magic. Most people use magic as a part of everyday life for things like curing colds, but there are also extremely talented individuals who call on Althena to heal wounds, or harness the forces of nature to very destructive effect.
[edit] Legend of the Magic Empire
There are stories of a Magic Empire that existed about 1000 years prior to the events of Lunar: The Silver Star. The ruler of the empire called himself the Magic Emperor. He attempted to dominate the world, and even opposed the Goddess Althena. This saddened Althena, whose purifying tears fell for seven days and seven nights, washing the Magic Empire away to nothing. It is said that the Magic City of Vane rose into the sky during the deluge, where it has remained for the 1000 years following. (It is worth noting that the Magic Empire legend does not exist in the remake, Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete.)
After the fall of the Magic Empire terrible demons known as the Vile Tribe roamed Lunar, tormenting the humans. Althena heard the cries of her people, and banished the Vile Tribe to the Frontier, a barren region beyond the reach of her life-giving magic. The banished demons hate Althena intensely, and dream of taking revenge against her and those who dwell in her light. Though the origin of the Vile Tribe is unknown, humans suspect that they are linked to the Magic Empire somehow.
[edit] Setting and Plot
Lunar: The Silver Star begins 15 years after the disappearance and presumed death of the most recent Dragonmaster, Dyne. Dragonmaster Dyne and his companions, who are known collectively as the Four Heroes, are celebrated for protecting the Goddess Althena from an evil threat (about which there is little detail) and saving the world. The main character of the game, Alex, lives in the village where Dyne was raised. Alex idolizes Dyne and wants to become a Dragonmaster just like him. These dreams of adventure prompt him to explore the nearby cave of the White Dragon with his friends in search of fame and fortune. From these humble beginnings, Alex's adventure will eventually develop into a world-spanning quest.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Heroes
- Alex
- Age: 15
- Game Arts official name: Arhes
- Full name: Alex Noah (アレス・ノア Aresu Noa)
- Voice: Kikuko Inoue (井上喜久子) / Ashley Angel
Alex, the main character of the game, is a small town boy - quiet, a little bit indecisive, and slightly naïve about the outside world. He lives in Burg Village along with his parents, his friend Nall and his foster sister Luna, who was given to Alex' parents by a stranger when Alex was little. Alex was born without any magical ability, but he studies swordsmanship diligently and has become quite capable, and also plays the harp very skillfully. Because Dragonmaster Dyne's monument is located in Burg, Alex grew up admiring him, and his biggest dream is to one day have adventures like Dyne and share the excitement with his friends.
- Nall
- Game Arts name: Nall
- Full name: Nall (ナル Naru)
- Voice: Rei Sakuma (佐久間麗 ) / Jackie Powers
Nall is a mascot of sorts for Lunar: The Silver Star. Nobody is sure what Nall really is, but most people assume that he's just a white cat with wings. Nall himself doesn't know what he really is, but being called a cat offends him, even though he has cat-like traits like a fondness for fish. Nall can speak like a human and has innate magical abilities. He was given to Alex' parents by the same man who asked them to take care of Luna. Nall has a strong bond of friendship with Alex, and they treat each other like brothers.
- Ramus
- Age: 17
- Game Arts official name: Ramus
- Full name: Ramus Farmain (ラムス・ファーマイン Ramusu Fāmain)
- Voice: none
Ramus is the son the chief of Burg Village, and Alex' best friend along with Nall. He is an ambitious boy who dreams of fame and wealth. Unfortunately, his father sees him only as a lazy trouble-maker, and Ramus hopes to someday prove him wrong by making a fortune. It's Ramus' thirst for adventure, success and greed that drives Alex, Nall, Luna and himself on their first adventure to the White Dragon Cave. However, despite all the fancy talking, Ramus barely has the nerves for adventuring and would do well to apply his keen mind and sharp business skills somewhere else.
- Luna
- Age: 15
- Game Arts official name: Luhna
- Full name: Luna Noah (ルーナ・ノア Rūna Noa)
- Japanese seiyū: Kikuko Inoue (井上喜久子) / Rhonda Gibson
Luna is a child whom Alex' parents adopted, and along with Nall they are a big, happy family. A charming and spirited girl, Luna often nags at Alex, but she really has very deep feelings for him. Luna has also been gifted with a beautiful singing voice. Her songs are magical, drawing power from an unknown source as Luna has never studied magic nor is she a priestess who can cast magic in the name of the Goddess. However, in a remote village like Burg, the quality of Luna's singing in itself by far outweighs the magics hidden in her songs. She is a pretty normal girl, apart from the fact the power of her own songs sometimes frightens her and she has a repeating nightmare that doesn't make sense to her...
- Nash
- Age: 17
- Game Arts official name: Nasch
- Full name: Nash Rumack (ナッシュ・ルーマック Nasshu Rūmakku)
- Voice: none
Nash developed an overwhelming sense of self-confidence and elitism after having his innate magical talent recognized by Sage Ghaleon. Although he talks big, he is actually rather weak-spirited, and ends up in the occasional embarrassing situation because of it. Nash is a quite capable magic user despite being an apprentice, and unfortunately, he's all too aware of this. Behind his overinflated ego he has a soft spot for the future leader of the Magic Guild, Mia, and deep inside he's terribly afraid of a great power which even he must recognize as superior.
- Mia
- Age: 16
- Game Arts official name: Mia
- Full name: Mia Ausa (ミア・オーサ Mia Ōsa)
- Voice: none
Mia is the daughter of Lemia Ausa, the current head of the Magic Guild. Shy and reclusive, she leads a withdrawn life at the Guild Mansion in the floating city of Vane. In contrast to her gentle nature and refined manners, she can cast combat magic of the highest order. Uneasy about her future as the head of the Magic Guild, Mia's insecurities have only been worsened by her mother's recent strange behavior. Yet despite all of this, she has a reserve of inner fortitude that's second to none. Though Nash obviously has feelings for Mia, she is oblivious.
- Jessica
- Age: 16
- Game Arts official name: Jessica
- Full name: Jessica Alkirk (ジェシカ・アルカーク Jeshika Arukāku)
- Voice: none
In the presence of her father Mel, the governor of the great port city of Meribia, Jessica appears to be the perfect daughter and lady. Around everyone else she is an impossible tomboy - though her disposition is normally sunny, she can be outgoing to the point of being strident, and temperamental almost to the point of violence. Jessica is studying to be a priestess of Althena, but she tends to skip her classes at the shrine more often than she attends them. She's got a strong will and is very dedicated to whatever cause she's currently fighting for, be it unmasking false heroes or trying to reform her bandit boyfriend into someone a bit more responsible.
- Kyle
- Age: 18
- Game Arts official name: Killy
- Full name: Kyle (キリー Kirī)
- Voice: none
Kyle is a quasi-official administrator of the Nanza Barrier, a mountain fortress on a crossroads between several important areas. He is also, more significantly, the leader of the Nanza bandits, and thoroughly entrenched in the bandit way of life. Brash, impulsive, sexist and sporting an ego the size of a small city, Kyle occasionally comes across as a bit too certain of his own capabilities. He loves flirting, drinking, and fighting, and is especially good at the latter. Despite all this, he's a good bandit, protecting travelers for a fee instead of robbing them. He is chivalrous enough to protect women and children for free, but still enough of a bandit to charge men twice the money. He is caught up in a stormy relationship with Jessica.
[edit] The Four Heroes
- Mel
- Game Arts official name: Mel
- Full name: Mel DeAlkirk (メル・デ・アルカーク Meru De Arukāku)
- Voice: none
A burly, battle-worn beastman with a jovial attitude, Mel is not a man to be crossed. Before joining forces with Dragonmaster Dyne as one of the Four Heroes, Mel was a pirate, and he earned the nickname 'Hell Mel' while terrorizing merchant ships. He's since become governor of the free port of Meribia, one of Lunar's largest cities, and is universally admired by the citizens. Mel dotes upon his daughter Jessica, seeing in her a reminder of his departed wife, a fine Meribian lady. He seems unaware that while Jessica inherited her mother's charm, she also has her father's rough-and-ready spirit. An unpleasant turn of events soon await Mel, however, which may prove to make both Meribia and Jessica distant concerns by comparison...
- Lemia
- Game Arts official name: Remilia
- Full name: Lemia Ausa (レミリア・オーサ Remiria Ōsa)
- Voice: none
Lemia is the governor of the floating city of Vane, the hereditary head of its Magic Guild, and the mother of Mia Ausa. Lemia is also one of the Four Heroes, though that's an aspect of her past put well behind her. She was a famed beauty in her youth, and is still admired for her looks. Once known as a judicious and compassionate ruler, Lemia has since turned the Magic Guild on its ear by her sudden turn towards tyranny - her temper has grown dangerously short, and she imprisons those who speak even the slightest ill word against her. But rumors of the cause of Lemia's troubles won't be limited to Vane's citizens alone for long...
- Ghaleon
- Game Arts official name: Ghaleon
- Full name: Ghaleon (ガレオン Gareon)
- Voice: Rokuro Naya (納谷六郎) / John Truitt
Ghaleon is the Premiere of the Vane Magic Guild and Lemia's right-hand man. He is also revered as one of the legendary Four Heroes, who fought to protect the Goddess in the days of old. Famous for the breadth of his knowledge and his skill with magic, his study group at the Magic Guild has produced more great magicians than any of the others. Once lively and spirited, the Premiere has been afflicted by a continual melancholy since the death of his fellow hero and close friend, Dragonmaster Dyne. He often spends months at a time away from Vane on Guild business, but very few know where he goes.
- Dragonmaster Dyne
- Game Arts official name: Dragon Master Dain
- Full name: Dragonmaster Dyne (ドラゴンマスター・ダイン Doragonmasutā Dain)
- Voice: none
The most famous of the Four Heroes, Dyne is the subject of adventure stories told all across Lunar. It is said that his journey to the Frontier to quell the madness of the Black Dragon 15 years ago became his final adventure. He was a native of Burg, and a monument was built there in his honor, but it may not be his final resting place...
[edit] Allies
- Quark
- Game Arts official name: Faidy
- Full name: Quark the White Dragon (白竜のファイディ Hakuryū no Faidi)
- Japanese seiyū: Koichi Kitamura (北村弘一) / Hal Delahousse
The leader of the Dragon Tribe that protects the Goddess Althena, Quark spends most of his time deep in the White Dragon Cave near Burg Village. He appears to be of very great age, but since the Dragons have existed since the world began, his true age is beyond conjecture. He welcomes Alex, Ramus, Luna and Nall when they go on their first adventure, and encourages Alex to journey forth and become Dragonmaster.
- Laike
- Game Arts official name: Laeik
- Full name: Laike (レイク Reiku)
- Voice: none
Laike is a wanderer whom Alex and his friends regularly encounter in their journey, who always seems to be a step ahead of them. He is an easygoing, unflappable sort of guy, but not someone to trifle with, because he is a swordsman of consummate skill. Is he watching over Alex?
- Tempest
- Game Arts official name: Temzin
- Full name: Tempest (テムジン Temujin)
- Voice: none
The son of the chief of the Prairie Tribe, Tempest left his people's lands in search for strong warriors to help him find a cure for an illness that is raging on the prairie. Forthright and independent, Tempest puts the well-being of the Prairie Tribe and his wife Fresca ahead of his own. He is a powerful warrior in his own right.
- Fresca
- Game Arts official name: Pilya
- Full name: Fresca (ピリア Piria)
- Voice: none
Fresca is married to Tempest, despite the fact that they are both about the same age as Alex. She is incapacitated by the illness that strikes the Prairie Tribe, but normally she is just as strong as she is beautiful. She will fearlessly accompany Tempest into dangerous situations.
- Myght
- Game Arts official name: Maight
- Full name: Myght Farn (マイト・ファーン Maito Fān)
- Voice: none
As an inventor in a world where most tasks can be done just as well with magic, people view Myght as a kook. He dislikes people, and lives an isolated life in his tower laboratory (though in the English version his reclusiveness is linked to his persistent case of B.O.). Behind his gruff exterior Myght is both a good-hearted machinist and an old friend of Dragonmaster Dyne, both of which prove invaluable to dealing with the dark schemes of the Magic Emperor.
[edit] Villains
- Magic Emperor (魔法皇帝 Mahō Kōtei)
- Voice: Rokuro Naya (納谷六郎) / John Truitt
This vile villain is the subject of many rumors. It is said that he controls the Vile Tribe, which should be bound to the Frontier, and that he is amassing an army to overrun the lands that are within Althena's light. His minions range land kidnapping talented singers, but the reason for this is unknown.
- Xenobia
- Game Arts official name: Xenobia
- Full name: Xenobia (ゼノビア Zenobia)
- Voice: none
The mistress of the Vile Tribe, Xenobia's power as a sorceress exceeds even Lemia, the head of the Magic Guild. She bares a deep hatred of the Goddess Althena for banishing her people to the Frontier, and allied the Vile Tribe with the Magic Emperor in order to take revenge on the Goddess, although she may have her own personal reasons for serving the Magic Emperor as well. Her body is covered in tattoo-like marks, the significance of which is unknown.
- Taben
- Game Arts official name: Batanen
- Full name: Taben (バタネン Batanen)
- Voice: none
Taben was originally an inventor who experimented with steam-powered machines, and like Myght, he was shunned and viewed as a crackpot by the rest of society. However, Taben came to hate the world, and joined forces with the Magic Emperor out of a desire for revenge. Responsible for the creation of the devastating vehicle known as the Grindery, Taben cares nothing for the suffering and misery he inflicts provided he can prove his genius to the world.
[edit] Version Differences
Working Designs was a publisher that built a reputation for making alterations to the games they licensed, but Lunar: The Silver Star, the game that put them on the map, is little changed from the original Japanese release. The changes that were made range from the incidental to the significant.
The popular culture references that Working designs was famous for injecting into the dialog of their games is present in Lunar: The Silver Star, though not as ubiquitous as in later titles. Some examples include a reference to a well-known Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop commercial, and mention of the breakfast cereal Wheaties (with permission from General Mills). Additionally the English version of Lunar: The Silver Star has a unique opening song, similar but distinct from the Japanese version. Working Designs always re-recorded vocal theme songs for their titles with re-written lyrics, but with this one they went further and wrote a new arrangement of the entire song.
The most significant change in the English version of Lunar: The Silver Star was made by the Japanese staff at the request of Working Designs. In the original version of the game, when Alex faces attacks from Luna as he attempts to save her after the final battle, the player only needed to keep Alex's hit points high in order to reach Luna and complete the game. Working Designs suggested to change this so that Luna's attacks get progressively stronger, enough that eventually Alex would not be able to survive them, and require the use of Alex's harp to awaken Luna's memories in order to complete the game. The Japanese staff met this suggestion with enthusiasm as it reaffirms both the relationship between Alex and Luna and the game's musical themes. All subsequent versions of the game, including Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar Legend, require the use of Alex's instrument at the end of the game.
[edit] Packaging artwork
 Lunar: The Silver Star |
 Lunar: The Silver Star |
[edit] References
- "Lunar I & II Official Creation Materials Collection" (ルナⅠ・Ⅱ 公式設定資料集 Runa Wan ando Tsū Kōshiki Settei Shiryō Shū). Tokyo: Softbank. ISBN 4-89052-662-5
- "Lunar: The Silver Star - The World of Lunar and Capture Guide" (ルナ ザ・シルバースター ルナの世界と攻略ガイド Runa Za Shirubā Sutā Runa no Sekai to Kōryaku Gaido). Tokyo: Tokuma Shoten.
[edit] External links
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Lunar: The Silver Star • Lunar: Eternal Blue • Lunar: Walking School • Lunar: Dragon Song |
