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Lunar: Dragon Song for the Nintendo DS

Posted on Wednesday 29th June 2005 at 02:08 by SSJ_Cloud
Nintendo DS
The Lunar Series, which has not had an original title developed for it since Lunar 2: Eternal Blue for the Sega CD back in 1995, is set to have its first completely new title. Lunar: Dragon Song will be released on July 16th in the United States.

Dragon Song is a prequel to the original Silver Star Story. As the title of the topic says, the game will appear on the Nintendo DS. The story takes place in a time in which beastmen are the dominant race. While not the dominant race, humans peacefully coexist with the beastmen, living in the countryside. This peace is disrupted, however, when the goddess Althena powers begin to fail. It is rumoured that a tribe of black-magic wielders have kidnapped her. The story follows the adventures of Jian and his journey to save her.

There are some changes from the previous Lunar games in Dragon Song. Game Arts has switched to an isometric view for dungeons, towns, etc. instead of the old top-down perspective. Some changes have been made in the battle system as well. First, there will be no more random encounters (enemies will appear on screen as in the remakes). A "Battle Card" system has been added as well. Players will be able to equip their characters with cards to gain additional abilities. One way Dragon Song will make use of the DS's two screens is by placing aerial enemies in the upper screen.

Source: RPGamer

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Even though I find myself to be increasingly tired of anime-style games, I would probably check this out if I had a DS as I enjoyed the earlier Lunar games.

Posted in: RPG News

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Comments

HanyouComment 1: 2005-06-29 04:56
Hanyou This actually makes me want to get a DS. Apart from Final Fantasy and Suikoden, Lunar is my favorite RPG series. I look forward to seeing some screenshots so I can get a better feel for where they are wanting to take the game, gameplay wise. I'm pretty optimistic about this venture.
ShinjutseiComment 2: 2005-06-29 17:41
Shinjutsei Yeah, I am currently replaying SSS. I love the series, although I am skeptical about the whole "no walking in cities" thing. On top of that, the release date isn't confirmed. Nintendo and GameFAQs also say July 16th, but seeing as the Jap date is in August, chances are slim. HOWEVER, on rare occasions the States get games first. Meh. We'll wait and see. My DS is ready for it, regardless.
karasumanComment 3: 2005-06-30 18:21
karasuman This is frustrating to me. Why release SSSC and EB on Playstation, and then switch to a Nintendo handheld? I don't own a DS and don't plan to for just one game, and I wish it was being released on other platforms.
SSJ_CloudComment 4: 2005-07-01 14:50
SSJ_Cloud
Quote (karasuman @ 30th June 2005 13:21)
This is frustrating to me. Why release SSSC and EB on Playstation, and then switch to a Nintendo handheld? I don't own a DS and don't plan to for just one game, and I wish it was being released on other platforms.

Well, if you want to get technical, the Lunar games were on the SegaCD and Saturn first. tongue.gif Beyond that even, the last Lunar remake that was released (Lunar: Legend) was released for a Nintendo handheld, the GBA. So either GameArts is getting money from Nintendo or it sees Nintendo's handhelds as a more viable platform for the type of game they want to make (much like when Square abandoned Nintendo for Sony).

While I'm at it, I read about few more nice features for Dragon Song. Using the wireless capabilities of the DS, players can trade rare and unique items. Besides this, Dragon Song is taking advantage of the DS's microphone. Players can use the built-in microphone to give the game commands in specific situations.
Shiva IndisComment 5: 2005-07-02 03:21
Shiva Indis As a long-time fan of the Lunar series of RPGs, my excitement about the upcoming DS Lunar title is both barely containable and mounting. The Sega CD version of Lunar: Eternal Blue was released in 1994, so this will be the first entirely new Lunar title in 11 years. It amazes me that the series is old enough to have an 11 year gap in new development.

http://ds.ign.com/articles/629/629969p1.html

The new Lunar (we will, unfortunately, call it Lunar: Dragon Song in English) is set 1000 years prior to Lunar 1. According to reports thus far, in this time period beast-folk have a greater cultural influence than mundane humans, who tend to lead rather quiet lifestyles. Both groups coexist peacefully under the Goddess Althena's guidance. However, the Goddess seems to have gone missing, and rumor has it that the Vile Tribe from the frontier has captured her.

Since it's a DS game, that means there are gimicks. This includes a two-screens-tall battle interface (looks like it's a pretty standard turn-based system), with differing combat mechanics for ground-based and airborne enemies. In a turn for the wacky, the typical run command is being replaced with a voice recognition prompt. Yell 'Run!' to flee from a fight. tongue.gif
SilverlanceComment 6: 2005-07-06 23:28
Silverlance All's I know is, this game has a catgirl named Gabrielle.

http://www.jeux-france.com/images4_4_10900.html

I'm sold. biggrin.gif
latinnerdComment 7: 2005-08-10 05:02
latinnerd Long time fan of the series, but not a fan of DS. Actually, DS finacially is a burden on me, and with the release of MGS: Acid I decided to get a PSP instead. Of course, I have yet to get one (I figure once PS3 comes out they should be cheaper...) but will ASAP. But for the lunar series, I might actually look into a DS. If nothing else, a used one. Or maybe I can bum one off of a friend.
With the 1000 year setting before the occurrences of Lunar 1, will we have any stock characters from Lunar? I would love to see Ghaleon back (he did make an appearance in Lunar: EB, so they might think about making him in this one too) And since they are using the Vile Tribe in the plot, maybe Xenobia or Phacia or Royce will make an appearance. After all, Ghaleon was supposedly aged, even though he didn't look it, so perhaps a baby Ghaleon? And the vile tribe could age completely differently than the other humans. Who knows. Either way, I'm looking forward to it, but if I knew Ghaleon was in it, I might be more inclined to buy it. happy.gif
laszlowComment 8: 2005-09-30 11:33
laszlow http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/925564.asp

Evidentally, the game "doesn't live up to its pedigree." I am probably going to get a DS within a few months, and this game seemed very intruiging to me, but evidentally it's a pretty subpar RPG. Too bad.
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