Things that don't suck about Lunar: Dragon Song.
Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:43 pm
*There are Lunar: Dragon Song spoilers in this post*
I think it's safe to say that this isn't the best game in the Lunar series. However, I just started a second playthrough, and I'm finding that the most frustrating aspect of the game isn't the things the developers did wrong, but the things that they did extremely well but are completely overshadowed by the game's flaws. So, in the spirit of positive thinking, I figured I'd start a topic about things that people like about Lunar: Dragon Song.
First off, the speeding up of battle animations by holding the shoulder buttons is awesome. Try playing this game and then immediately playing Final Fantasy III. You will be begging for that speed-up function. Every turn-based RPG should have this feature.
Also, if you can get past the awkward translation and a few plot holes, there's a great story in there that fits nicely within the Lunar series. I mean, sure, we've seen Althena in human form and a former-hero-turned-villain before, but beyond those two similarities, this is a distinct story with its own narrative. Where Ghaleon was presented as a bit of a tragic hero, Ignatius is more akin to a cautionary tale; Ignatius is a dangerous man who intends to do horrible things, but the real danger presented is that if Jian (a loner by nature) doesn't learn to trust in other people, he will become just as dangerous as Ignatius himself. In the beginning of the game we see Jian wishing to charge into Vile Castle by himself, believing that having other people with him will only slow him down. Throughout the story Jian learns to rely on other people for help and guidance, and the message is nailed home in the final Dragon Trial, in which Jian must admit that he can only be effectual if he has companions in whom he trusts. It's a continuation of the concept of the "power of humanity" that Althena extolled on in Lunar 1 and post mortem in Lunar 2, but told with a very different slant, this time focusing on humanity's dual nature for good and evil and the ways in which these two natures can come to fruition. Ayn Rand would probably argue with the message, but it's damn fine storytelling.
And finally, to get really shallow, the game looks and sounds great. The scenery is colorful and evocative, the music is just as catchy and fun as anything found in the Lunar series so far (I strongly suggest wearing headphones while you play it... the tiny DS speakers simply aren't going to cut it), and the general art direction of this game is spot-on exactly what I'd want out of a Lunar title. The menu screen looking like the inside of a traveler's suitcase is one particularly charming bit that adds definate character to the feel of the game. And not to mention, I really feel like the sprites were drawn in a way that stays true to the Lunar series while still being contemporary.
Lunar: Dragon Song really is a bit of a strange title. It has a few aspects that are dreadful, but it also has some aspects that are truly inspired. I just wanted to sound off on the aspects that I like about it. Other people are welcome to share their positive thoughts on the game. (Please, don't respond to -Borgan- about the game's shortcomings.)
I think it's safe to say that this isn't the best game in the Lunar series. However, I just started a second playthrough, and I'm finding that the most frustrating aspect of the game isn't the things the developers did wrong, but the things that they did extremely well but are completely overshadowed by the game's flaws. So, in the spirit of positive thinking, I figured I'd start a topic about things that people like about Lunar: Dragon Song.
First off, the speeding up of battle animations by holding the shoulder buttons is awesome. Try playing this game and then immediately playing Final Fantasy III. You will be begging for that speed-up function. Every turn-based RPG should have this feature.
Also, if you can get past the awkward translation and a few plot holes, there's a great story in there that fits nicely within the Lunar series. I mean, sure, we've seen Althena in human form and a former-hero-turned-villain before, but beyond those two similarities, this is a distinct story with its own narrative. Where Ghaleon was presented as a bit of a tragic hero, Ignatius is more akin to a cautionary tale; Ignatius is a dangerous man who intends to do horrible things, but the real danger presented is that if Jian (a loner by nature) doesn't learn to trust in other people, he will become just as dangerous as Ignatius himself. In the beginning of the game we see Jian wishing to charge into Vile Castle by himself, believing that having other people with him will only slow him down. Throughout the story Jian learns to rely on other people for help and guidance, and the message is nailed home in the final Dragon Trial, in which Jian must admit that he can only be effectual if he has companions in whom he trusts. It's a continuation of the concept of the "power of humanity" that Althena extolled on in Lunar 1 and post mortem in Lunar 2, but told with a very different slant, this time focusing on humanity's dual nature for good and evil and the ways in which these two natures can come to fruition. Ayn Rand would probably argue with the message, but it's damn fine storytelling.
And finally, to get really shallow, the game looks and sounds great. The scenery is colorful and evocative, the music is just as catchy and fun as anything found in the Lunar series so far (I strongly suggest wearing headphones while you play it... the tiny DS speakers simply aren't going to cut it), and the general art direction of this game is spot-on exactly what I'd want out of a Lunar title. The menu screen looking like the inside of a traveler's suitcase is one particularly charming bit that adds definate character to the feel of the game. And not to mention, I really feel like the sprites were drawn in a way that stays true to the Lunar series while still being contemporary.
Lunar: Dragon Song really is a bit of a strange title. It has a few aspects that are dreadful, but it also has some aspects that are truly inspired. I just wanted to sound off on the aspects that I like about it. Other people are welcome to share their positive thoughts on the game. (Please, don't respond to -Borgan- about the game's shortcomings.)