[PSP] Lunar: Harmony of the Silver Star

LunarNET

Lunar: Harmony of Silver Star, for the PSP
Posted on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 12:26 AM.

According to Famitsu, GungHo Works is producing a new Lunar game for the PSP! Called "Lunar: Harmony of Silver Star", the game is another handheld remake of Lunar: Silver Star Story. However, it appears to be a fuller remake of the game. In all, this is what we know thus far:

L:HSS will take advantage of the PSP's graphic capabilities in battle and town screens, and uses an isometric view for towns (similar to Lunar: Dragon Song)
L:HSS uses the point-and-click interface in the overworld map (similar to Lunar: Legend)
L:HSS will include voice acting, although it's unclear if the same voice samples will be used from SSS, or if they'll re-record. They are listing the same voice actors for the main characters, however (Shou Ishida for Alex, Kyoko Hikami for Luna, Daisuke Sakaguchi for Nash, Yasuhiro Takato for Ramus)
L:HSS is due to be released in Japan in Fall 2009. No word on an American release yet.

LunarNET will continue to bring you more news as it breaks. Check back with us throughout the week. And, many thanks goes to Nobuyuki of Zel Studios (The Official Site of Studio ZEL Artworks) for breaking this story!

Sure its another remake of Lunar: The Silver Star... but I'm stoked.

I hope Atlus (or hell even Vic/Gaijinworks) gets ahold of this title instead of Ubisoft who raped the GBA port.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

More news from LunarNET:

A few more tidbits of information to throw up about Lunar: Harmony of Silver Star... There will apparently be new events to the story. Looking at the scan that's been floating around, we can already assume Nash doesn't show up in Burg quite as early as he did in Lunar Legend. One of the screenshots shows Alex, Luna and Ramus in the White Dragon cave, but no Nash. It should be interesting to see which of the Lunar 1 storylines they follow the closest.

It should also be mentioned that the developer is GameArts. This would actually make it the first remake GameArts themselves have done (as the Saturn/Playstation remake and Lunar Legend on the GBA were both done by outside developers for the most part). And with the official Japanese site going live Friday, we're going to try and have a new section on the site for the game by Saturday. This is certainly some unexpected, but very good news about GameArts. It seems they haven't forgotten their old franchises. With Grandia Online to be revealed next week, and now a new remake of Lunar 1, things are looking good for us GameArts fans.

And in regards to a possible North America release? There's a few thoughts floating around the 'net. First, a post on NeoGAF forums by Victor Ireland
making his interest in the title known. Also of note, an
interview with XSEED at
RPGamer earlier this month hints at the possibility of a LUNAR localization. The final question of the interview posed this question:

I know that E3 is just around the corner, but could you give us some idea of what might be around the corner for XSEED or the XSEED/Marvelous alliance? Any other secrets you can share with your buddies at RPGamer?

Ken: We have tons of titles that we'll be announcing between now and E3 for various platforms. Though I can't quite spell out any titles yet, I will say that we listen to the requests we get from the gaming community and we've tried very hard to secure some of the games that have been requested. We also have an enhanced remake of a classic PSone RPG in North America that we'll be announcing soon which I think the RPGamer audience will be very interested in...

Lunar would certainly fit the bill of a classic PSone RPG. Obviously we'll continue to update with even the slightest bits of news about this re-re-remake.

I'm wondering if we will indeed see Working Designs Gaijinworks label on the game?

More info supposed to be released Friday and even more at E3 in a couple weeks.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

LUNAR HARMONY of SILVER STAR

Official Site went live. Nothing fancy on it yet, though.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

lewl XSEED got the rights to bring it over.

XSEED Games

Ah well, was hoping for GW but its scheduled for fall release.


RPGamer had an interview with XSEED/Game Arts about Lunar: Harmony of the Silver Star:

Originally Posted by RPGamer

First off, Lunar has had many developers over the years, who exactly is handling this? GameArts? Japan Arts Media? A combination?

Masato Dobashi: This title is a collaborative development effort between Game Arts and Japan Arts Media.

Will combat allow for characters to move around like the original or are they stationary like in Lunar Legend? Could you share any other details about the game's battle system?

Masato Dobashi: Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is basically a remake of the Sega Saturn version. The battle system is also based on the Sega Saturn version, but the graphics have been updated significantly.

During battle, you can manually instruct your character to run up to the enemy to attack, or you can let the AI take over.

Lunar's always been big on music and sound. How much voice acting will there be? Should we expect more songs such as Luna's Boat Song? Any drastic soundtrack changes or is Noriyuki Iwadare still at the helm?

Masato Dobashi: Since this time the title is on a UMD with large capacity, we will have the same movies that were played on the Sega Saturn version. This means you will be able to enjoy Luna's Boat scene as well.

Regarding the soundtrack, of course we will have Iwadare-san continue to work on Lunar. Iwadare-san has made some extra arrangements for this game and created some great music.

This one could be a deal breaker for me. Will there be bromides?

Masato Dobashi: That's still a secret. Please stay tuned.

So, does this perhaps mark a Lunar series revival or just another chance for newer gamers to play this classic?

Masato Dobashi: It's a bit of both. That way everyone can enjoy it, right? I'm personally looking forward to how the Lunar series is going to develop in the future.

The last remake of Lunar on the GBA wasn't as well received by fans as the Sega CD and PlayStation versions. What aspects of Lunar: Silver Star Harmony will appeal to new fans? Long-time fans?

Masato Dobashi: I really think the opinions of Lunar fans towards the series is very important. For this PSP remake, I really wanted to use the Sega Saturn version as the basis to create a solid title because it was also what everyone was hoping for [in Japan].

For the new fans, I would love for them to experience an adventure full of dreams and hopes. Don't you feel like we're lacking those types of RPGs lately? I really wanted to show why Lunar has been loved for 17 years with this new PSP version.

For the old time fans, I would first like to say thank you to everyone. The reason Lunar can be played on the PSP now is because of their long time support and love for this series. For this version, Kei Shigema has put extra effort into the scenario and created a new episode to make it a more complete version of Lunar.

How does XSEED plan on handling the game's quirky humor and sexual innuendos? That was one area that really stood out for me in the prior releases.

Jimmy Soga, XSEED Games: We're still in the early stages of translation so it's hard to say how we will handle it, but it would be a fine balancing act between keeping the original Working Designs English translations as is or to retranslate some of the stuff to be more true to the original Japanese. Working Designs did an excellent localization job, but their text has a lot of 90's pop culture references and possibly some copyright issues that might have been okay when the original was released, but something we need to be more careful about today (such as "Tootsie Rolls", "M&M's", "Wheaties," etc.)

Working Designs was looked on as the North American parent of the Lunar series and always had tons of bonuses (and tons of delays) included with the games. Any early ideas of how you'd like to handle pack-ins?

Masato Dobashi: We are currently discussing with XSEED on this matter so we can't give out any information at this time, but please stay tuned for more details at a later time.

Thank you very much for this opportunity!

We hope everyone is looking forward to the PSP Lunar and will continue to support the series.

Interesting to say I'm curious now how much of WD's translation gets kept in and how much gets re-written. Maybe Meryod will be a hick town yet again! Also heard a rumor (trying to find out if true) that XSEED's going to keep the Japanese audio in for the game. So I guess if the american voice acting is shitty, we can fall back to the original audio. (In before Ghaleon sounding like a raging homo than effeminate.)

How ya doing, buddy?

new famitsu screens:

Spoiler:

and Otonafami:

Spoiler:

I was speaking idiomatically.

Kizyr at LunarNET translated the Famitsu article that was recently released:

LunarNET - Multimedia

The pre-order bonus for the Japanese release is a limited edition soundtrack:

Those who pre-order can receive beautiful soundtrack, with the jacket design by Toshiyuki Kubooka. The songs themselves are arranged by Noriyuki Iwadare. Those who want it should be sure to pre-order!

A word from Noriyuki Iwadare!
Once I got the opportunity to remake the songs for "Lunar", I thought to make it the best possible, so first I bought an ocarina (-laugh-). Then, I practiced, since Alex was an 'expert at the ocarina'. It was a high hurdle, but it felt great. Thus, I rearranged and composed all the melodies. It's full of live performances, so I hope you enjoy. There are new songs, too!

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Well before we start blowing XSEED up over this, I've been told that the article isn't all that accurate after emailing my friend to ask him about it. I'm waiting for the details and will post when I get them from him later.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Terminus

Have you seen what they did to Shadow Hearts 3?

I haven't played an XSEED game (to my knowledge) and I am disappointed that they're not going to be using any of Working Designs translations, much like Ubisoft's translation disappointed me. However, I'm curious to what about that little article isn't correct.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by LunarNET

When LUNAR: Silver Star Harmony was announced by XSEED Games as one of their upcoming titles for North America, one of the big questions Lunar fans had was whether the translation would retain the Working Designs script or go in a different direction. Because of the polarization of LUNAR fans that love the WD style of quirky humor and those that have always wanted a direct translation, many wondered what direction XSEED would go to please the entire fandom. So amid reports this week of a completely new translation, we hit up XSEED directly to get some clarification and I think both sides of the LUNAR fandom will be pleased with the answer.

The plan is to refresh the Working Designs translation, keeping the charm while updating the text and bringing the translation closer to the original Japanese. XSEED understands that the original Working Designs translation was a big reason why many people loved the title, so they're trying to make the translation both true to what people loved about it, while still giving old time fans a new experience. New scenarios and a lot more detail about the world of LUNAR can be expected from the game. Also, no decision has been made on voice acting. While there is no official drop date, LUNAR: Silver Star Harmony will likely be out sometime in early 2010.

So it is going to be a mix of both the same translation and some of theirs, just a bit updated in terms of references and other things. I just hope Meyrod stays as that backwater (literally lewl) town.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Mix, style update. Whatever. It is a lot better than raping it like Ubisoft did.

How ya doing, buddy?

Just a little tidbit of stuff here, the demo for this is available for download on the Japanese PSN. Once I get moved I might try and figure a way to get it, if anyone does before I do, let it known what you think of it!

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

There's also a new "villain" in the game but for now the details show it's only a villain for the Four Heroes (Dyne, Ghaleon, Lemia and Mel) that apparently (if I'm seeing the screens and reading the article right) you fight as them against him.

He looks kinda cool and name is Aiferun:



Once, he journeyed across the world with Dyne, the Goddess Althena, and their friends. He was at odds with Dyne and the others regarding the state of the world and god(s), and thus became an enemy. And, after many fierce battles, he managed to capture Althena, and is trying to use her magic power to become a god himself. In truth, he has the same weaknesses that could be found in any human heart.

And he has the power of 5 god (masks?):



Five Princes of the Black Star:
The five gods summoned by Aiferun: Fubau, Ratone, Igarune, Serrona Mashun, Kikero*. They intend on destroying the world. They have no true form, and so they take the shape of these masks. During the battle with the Four Heroes, they use the body of Aiferun.
* Again, official English transliteration not yet known.

So it's looking like that there is indeed more backstory to the game to at least warrant a purchase for the 3rd (4th?) remake of Lunar: Silver Star.

I hope it does well enough that Lunar 2 will get the same treatment.

LunarNET - Lunar: Silver Star Harmony for the translated famitsu article

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Special Collector's Edition:

Quote:

XSEED Games know Lunar fans are used to getting more, and while the limited edition of Lunar: Silver Star Harmony doesn't get close to the lavish releases Working Designs gave us in the 90's, it's nothing to sneeze at.

Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is an enhanced remake of Lunar: The Silver Star, coming to the PSP courtesy of XSEED Games in Q1 of 2010. While the game will retail for $29.99, $10 more will net players a special limited edition package containing a soundtrack CD and a set of 13 exclusive "bromide" collector cards featuring the girls of Lunar.

"As the definitive version of Lunar: The Silver Star with completely reworked graphics, a remastered soundtrack containing songs new and old, an enhanced battle system, and additional story elements never before revealed, Lunar: Silver Star Harmony deserved a special Limited Edition version to commemorate the rebirth of this beloved franchise," stated Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games. "For fans of the previous iteration, we've built upon the English script from before to offer returning fans something new while keeping the heart of the original outstanding localization intact."

As I said, it's certainly not the cloth map, soundtrack CD, hardbound instruction manual and making of videos of Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, but it'll do. They just don't make them like Working Designs anymore.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Colonel FuckFaggot

Oh right. It's not officially coming here until GS has a listing for it.

OUR BAD FOLKS. NOTHING TO SEE HERE. MOVE ALONG.

EBGames.com - Buy Lunar: Silver Star Harmony Limited Edition - Sony PSP

I guess it's official nao. well, because you know, gamestop listed it and all

I'll have to go get my pre-order switched to the CE anyway. I already have it paid for, just got to add another $10. Just wish XSEED put a little more effort in at least trying to make it a decent collector's edition like WD used to.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

official website is up... I want to puke at the translation of the song...

Sounds like Jenny Stigile to me though

Lunar: Silver Star Harmony

there's also sample of the voice acting...

/facepalm

with that said, Ghaleon's isn't to bad. I think they actually got cam clarke. (can't hardly tell from a couple lines, but sounds like him) Although Nash and Kyle... bleh. I'm also going to add that Nall's voice is entirely annoying. WTB option for japanese audio plox.

FELIPE NO

I dunno, just something about the song seems more cheesy to me and the voice acting, while working designs wasn't near perfect, just a few of the people's voices just rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sure it is one of those things I'll learn to get used to if there's no second audio option.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

This is also coming from the guy who made a really cheesy anime music video based of Lunar and the song from King's Quest VI. So I have no room to talk about what's cheesy and what isn't.

It's all good though, cheese or not, just not used to a non-WD localization. As I said, I'll get over it.

Finished the demo. Ultra short but from what there was of it, I was left wanting more. the translation for the story isn't so bad (and I will admit that the new song is growing on me, but the voices still haven't) and I can tell XSEED tried their best to keep it as close to WD's as they could. Really interested in seeing the rest of the game when it comes out next month.

How ya doing, buddy?

I hope that the rest of the caves aren't as tiny as the white dragon cave, either. I missed the roaming the overworld portion too, as I always liked exploring that way. The refresh of health when you level up is nice too cause that way I won't go in, fight about 3-4 beasties then have to go back to Burg and refresh at the Althena statue to go back. Rinse and repeat.

Also I found out there's a reason the singer sounds like Jennifer Stigile... it is. Apparently XSEED had contacted the original voice actors to reprise their roles but they turned it down out of respect for Vic. Well except for Jenny lol. But hey, a paycheck's a paycheck.

I also like how Jessica sounds like Mitzi from Shin Chan.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Yeah, I was going by what I was told and didn't want to say something that people would scream "BULLSHIT" over and couldn't find a nicer way to put it than "out of respect" instead of saying it was VIC'S IRON GRASP OF DOOM! "Lol you voice for them and you'll never work for Working Designs again!! O wait..."



Over the years of talking with Vic, t's kind of funny to see him damn another Lunar remake when it was being developed (Legends). He was so against doing yet another version of 1 (can't say I blame him there, honestly) and was even in disputes of sorts with Ubi Soft over the characters names, I think Qwark was a "WD orginal name" and they at first refused them to use it, and not wanting anything to do with it, to damning this one because he's not working on it?! WTF? I guess he expected Game Arts to not license it out to anyone else. Alls I can say is that if he's that upset over it, he shouldn't have sold the rights back to Game Arts.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I actually got denied signing up to NeoGAF a few months ago.

I don't think Vic would ever trash the old Lunars seeing as how those are probably the biggest titles WD had but with the fit he threw with Jenny S working with Xseed, who knows anymore.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I have no idea, I went to sign up and told me to wait for verification, and then like a week later I got an email "I'm sorry but your request to join these forums has been denied". or something along those lines. I just said fuck it and just watched the hilarity in the Lunar thread ensue.

Most amazing jew boots

Just got a chance to sit down with my copy. I suggest if you're going to try it out, then download the demo from the PSN first. If you go through the demo and save at the end, you're supposed to get some kind of bonus when you start up the full game.

Looks like when my friend played the demo, it over-wrote my save since it doesn't register the completed demo at all, unless I'm doing it wrong. Guess I'll finish the demo again and then start the full version.

How ya doing, buddy?

Looks like they kept a good chunk (so far as I can tell) of the dialogue from WD's translation. Boat song was changed up though. Haven't got much further than that yet but I've actually been enjoying the game over again beside the fact this is like my 4th or 5th different version. Now if only it does well enough for Eternal Blue to be remade for PSP.

How ya doing, buddy?