Title: Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Platform: Sega Saturn (Sega CD) Released: 1998 (1994) Developer: GameArts Well, let me start out by saying that Lunar 2 is, and always will be, one of my favorite RPGs of all time, and no matter what I say in this review, that will stand. Back in 1994, the Sega CD was drawing in it's last breath before finally passing away into the video game console heaven (or hell, depending on how you look at it). With Sega now shopping around this new thing called the "Saturn," not many companies stood behind the platform anymore. Luckily for RPG fans, one company did, Working Designs. They were not a tremendously big company, and didn't have the fan support of say SquareSoft, but the good thing about them was that they didn't really care. So after games like Popful Mail and Vay, many Sega CD owners new that holding on to the platform would make it worth while. As is always the case, WD did not disappoint with the English release of Lunar 2: Eternal Blue. Without a doubt one of the greatest games of all time. The storyline was filled with twist from the very start, the characters were really in depth and well thought out. The whole game seemed to be very well planned. That was 1994, and Lunar 2 was easily a better game than many of the top selling RPGs out there, such as Chrono Trigger. Now it's 1998, and the Sega Saturn, is the focal point of the remake of Lunar 2. Or should I say the re-release. I honestly love this game, I really do, and even back in 1994, I don't think there was much that needed changing. However after the completely excellent job they did on the remake of Lunar: The Silver Star (Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, due out in November/December for the Sony Playstation), I had little doubts in my mind that Lunar 2 would get much of the same treatment. I'm sorry to say that's not what I got. What I got was a more watered down version of Lunar 2. Watered down, I mean shorter, easier, and didn't capture the magic that made the first Lunar 2 what it was, a real classic. So let's start with the obvious gripe, which was my only real problem with the Lunar: Silver Star Story, and that's that the graphics just don't live up to 32 bit standards. About 90% of the sprites used in this game were unchanged from their Sega CD days. The backgrounds and overworld maps, they were redone, and redone very well, but if you're going to upgrade something to 32 bit from 16, the entire game should show it, not just the backgrounds. The music was slightly enhanced, but I don't think one track was really redone either. Granted the music from the 1994 Lunar 2 was pretty solid, so this wasn't something that needed to be remixed. My next gripe is the overall challenge of this game. Lunar 2 (1994) was not an easy game to complete. It took 60 hours on the timer, and that's not counting the times that you're gonna get wiped out and have to continue from your last save (and it would happen too). This newer version took 40 hours, and none of the boss battles in this game were anywhere near as hard as their Sega CD counterparts. There are some improvements. For one, most definitely is the magic system. The original Lunar 2 saw Game Arts take a stab at some new type of Final Fantasy III magic system, where you'd win magic points in every battle and those magic points to distribute among your party's magical abilities, powering up the ones you wanted to use a lot, like healing, and leaving the ones you never use alone, like Ronfar's gambling spells. This was an okay system, but in the end, it was rather frustrating and bothersome than the more traditional methods. However, in the remake, they went more traditional, which many of you will remember from Lunar: Silver Star Story, or for those who have yet to sample Lunar, Final Fantasy II. As you gain experience levels, you gain new magic spells. Unlike Final Fantasy II, however, once you learn a more powerful type of a spell, you lose the one of lesser power. Some might find this bothersome, but in the end there's nothing to worry about. I'm also happy to say that they upped the AI of your two NPC characters during most of the game. The baby red dragon, Ruby, makes her presence felt on several occasions, dipping down at random to stick it to some enemy. Then Lucia, the girl on the cover of the game (I don't want to spoil who she is for you) went from a complete idiot in the first Lunar 2, to a college graduate in learning if something attacks, you then it's your enemy and you should strike back. They also gave Lucia some more spells to use, and upped the power of them so she would be effective throughout the game. Much more balanced, if you ask me. Storyline wise, what can I tell you? Fabulous. This game will fit the bill for any hungry RPG fan with a heavy helping of plot twists, fabulously deep characters, and some serious baddies. This is also a true sequel, not like a Final Fantasy, where you would have to play and win the first Lunar to fully understand Lunar 2 to its fullest detail, and you might see a re-occurring character or two. Character wise, great characters. They did a good job in relieving Hiro of his Cronoistic ways (as in being mute..only answering yes or no at your whim), and the other characters, even if you hate them (Ahhh! Lemina!), you'll notice how well developed they truly are, right down to the smallest detail. I have to say, I really really liked the characters in this game..well, except for maybe Lemina *smile*. Overall, I have mixed emotions about this game. Yes, it's Lunar 2. Yes, it's the same wonderful game I played back in 1994. However, this is not a 32-bit upgrade, and without a doubt not remixed either. As an RPG fan, I am in absolute heaven with this game. It's everything any RPG fan would ever want. As a Lunar fan, I'm disappointed. They didn't do much to sell this to me as a remix or upgrade. Graphics: C I would have liked to have seen more effort put into making this a 32 bit upgrade. Music and Sound: B Not that it needed remixing to begin with *smile*. Storyline: A If you play this game, as an RPG fan, and don't fall in love, then you're plainly just not an RPG fan. Characters: A Excellent work, I wish more RPGs would focus on the characters and their personalities as much as this game does. Challenge: C In this day and time, the emphasis is put more on storyline and character development. However comparing the challenge of Lunar 2 1994 and Lunar 2 1998, Lunar 2 1994 was much harder. The Red Fiend was pretty scrappy, but the rest of the bosses were a cakewalk. Innovation: D It's almost the exact same game I played 4 years ago. Not that it's a bad thing, but I don't think it's all that creative. Overall: A- Given the shortcomings this game is a fabulous game. Any RPG fan will love this game. I promise you. Play it!