04-05-2006, 02:30 AM
> but they were awesome in their time and in some cases are still awesome.
I just replayed Lunar 2: Eternal Blue,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_2:_Eternal_Blue
There are certain elements that's somewhat dated, like the uneven voice acting, the few cornball jokes, but to me there's some timeless qualities that still appeals to me.
The story is fantasy\romance\adventure, roughly along the same vein as "The Princess Bride". There are serious moments in it, but for the most part it doesn't take itself too seriously.
The characters though, is what really makes this game stands the test of time for me. Ignoring for a second the anime visual style (which might not be everyone's cup of tea) , the voice acting that varies from passable to overacted, the characters themselves are very well done and believable.
The pacing is not like most other CRPGs, where the end fight against the big evil fazoozle to save the world is usually the completion of the game. Instead that roughly takes place about 3/4 of the way, the rest is an epilogue where the 'real' quest begins. You trying to find a way to re-unite with your true love. For me this is where they did a really brilliant thing. Some of the best love stories are the ones that doesn't have a happy ending. Yet it's also a common desire to want the 'and they live happily ever after'. The way they did it accomplishes both, you can walk away without the epilogue, and get your bittersweet ending. Or choose the epilogue, and try to get the girl you love.
The music also sets the mood nicely. At times it evokes a sense of adventure, melancholy, and yes some sappy love songs. But this is a game with romantic elements, so I can't complain. There is one selection though that just really stands out for me, it's the music for the final tower in the epilogue. It really captures the feeling that you're so close yet so far from your beloved, that you're ready to fight tooth and nail just for the chance to see her again.
So for me, even though it's not perfect, the game does stand the test of time where it counts (for CRPGS). The characters and the story still entertained me today as it did when it first came out on the Sega CD.