Topic: "Lunar Genesis" for the DS!

[ruby_onix]

UbiSoft just announced their current release schedule, and dropped something of a bomb, mentioning that they're coming out with "Lunar Genesis" for the DS, in America, sometime in "Q2 2005" (which would be in July-Sept of this year).

This is apparently that "Ru Na" game from Marvelous Interactive (makers of the Harvest Moon series) that was previously mentioned on Japanese release lists.

Emails to UbiSoft have apparently revealed that by "Lunar" they mean Lunar Lunar, as in, the RPG series produced by GameArts.


The "Untitled GameArts RPG" mentioned on Japanese lists is still apparently something else entirely.


Edit: Games Are Fun link.  

[ruby_onix]

BTW, it's not too unusual for Marvelous to be making this game instead of GameArts. A number of Lunar games have been contracted out.

The two original games on the Sega CD were made by GameArts. The Saturn/PSX/PC remakes were made by Kadowkawa Shoten/Jam. The GBA remake of the remakes was made by Media Rings. Of course, those were all remakes...


As for the English translations, Working Designs did the Sega CD/PSX games. They were translating the PC remake, but eventually cancelled it. They skipped the GBA remake, despite having apparently "warmed up" to carts and Nintendo, because the Japanese version sold poorly. Ubi Soft picked it up, and was well rewarded by it's American success.

Victor Ireland (WD's president) mentioned on the Gaming Age forums that he's not doing Lunar Genesis because UbiSoft picked it up before he even knew it existed. And beyond that, even without UbiSoft being in the way, Working Designs wouldn't be translating this game because they think the DS is going to bomb horribly (and not in the hardcore "Working Designs" way). Also, they think that the PSP is the greatest thing since sliced bread. In fact, Vic is apparently pimping the PSP in Japan, because they want it to succeed that badly. So yeah, don't expect any Nintendo-love from Working Designs for another generation or three.

[Ian Sane]

So this is not the third Lunar game?  You're contridicting yourself in that post.

Would naming a non-Lunar game "Lunar Genesis" even be legal?  Sure Lunar is just a word but that title highly suggests an entry in the Lunar series and if it's not they may be encouraging sales by leeching off the name of another franchise.  For example Nintendo would probably get on your ass if you made a game called something like "Zelda Stories".

Edit: Nevermind.  Your second post cleared things up and I misread the Ru Na part.  Damn I don't know what the hell I read the first post to mean.

[IceCold]

Speaking of which, any news on that cel-shaded game that looked so much like the Wind Waker?

[Bloodworth]

It's an MMORPG in Asia, not for any Nintendo systems.  Nintendo issued some warning about copyright infringement, but apparently the characters are completely designed by the player so it's not really worth worrying about.

[KDR_11k]

Ian: Unless they do more to suggest a relation simply using a word isn't enough to infringe on a trademark. You could make a game called Grand Theft Strawberry and as long as it doesn't mimic GTA very closely that won't be an infringement. Imagine making a game called Sonic Racers about some futuristic racing and suddently SEGA got on your case just because you used a word they commonly used in your title. If it's in a dictionary, you can't lay sole claim to it.
I'm not sure if a game called Zelda's Adventure would infringe on N's trademark but I think as long as it doesn't pretend to be a Zelda game with more than just the name (say, using the same font and similar title graphics) it's okay.

[Galford]

Another Lunar Game?  

Why don't they just translate the little known third Lunar Game from the Game Gear?

[ruby_onix]

Supposedly "Lunar: Magic School" wasn't very good. And it's not little-known in Japan. So if they made a DS port/remake of that one, most of Japan wouldn't care (like what happened with Lunar Legend). That's a bad thing where RPGs are concerned.

All-new is definitely better. ^_^

(Of course, for all we know this is just a remake of the Game Gear game.)

[Bill Aurion]

Hey, there's nothing wrong with more RPGs...Gives me more to choose from!

If the DS keeps this up, it could easily equal the PS2 in terms of "number of RPGs on system" (notice I didn't say "quality RPGs")

[ruby_onix]

Just to update this thread, UbiSoft is apparently going to publish the game over here in late July, under the name "Lunar: Dragon Song", thanks to a poll run on LunarNET.

Oddly enough, the game is being released in America a full month before it launches in Japan, where it's going under the original "Lunar Genesis" name.

The game is starting to look more like a "real" Lunar game, as Toshiyuki Kubooka (a former Gainax artist and Lunar mainstay) has been confirmed to be on board. Other "original team members" are supposedly working on the game too, but their contributions are obviously not as immediately recognizable.


Here's some Famitsu scans.

Page 1 and Page 2

The screenshots at the top of page 1 are from the first two Sega CD games (just so you don't look at them and think Lunar DS has reverted back to a more "Lunar-ish" looking battle engine).

[Mario]

That looks pretty fun actually, I haven't played a Lunar game before, maybe i'll start with this.

[TMW]

Awesome!  I've been looking forward to this game ever since I heard it was coming out.  

Too many damn games coming out for the DS this summer!  ARGH!  

[KDR_11k]

Ah, hey, I can already spot the spiky-haired swordfighting hero guy who will have to save the world even though he does not want to and the magic-using girl that is crucial to saving the world that falls madly in love with him and may not stay alive until the credits roll.

[TMW]

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Ah, hey, I can already spot the spiky-haired swordfighting hero guy who will have to save the world even though he does not want to and the magic-using girl that is crucial to saving the world that falls madly in love with him and may not stay alive until the credits roll.

Don't make fun!  

[PaLaDiN]

But he's smiling.

That's a change.

[Nephilim]

I will be buying this
But why are the battle pictures so ugly? the towns and maps look nice but the battle graphics look early snes....

[KDR_11k]

Paladin: Only from Final Fantasy. Vyse or Lloyd are rather upbeat characters, for example.

[ruby_onix]

Japanese Box Art

Also, Kizyr from the Lunar Threads has translated those Famitsu scans.

Quote
1992, the first chapter of the Lunar series: "Lunar: The Silver Star"
1994, the Mega CD's last great RPG: "Lunar: Eternal Blue"
And, 2005, on the Nintendo DS, the new... Lunar -Genesis-

The Lunar RPG series which gained fame on the Mega CD now returns to the Nintendo DS! After 11 years, the newest chapter is "Lunar: Genesis". With a touch-based movement system and battles using the dual screens, the game fully utilizes the features of the Nintendo DS. Using the touch pen, embark on a world of adventure!

[After 11 years, the newest addition to the Lunar series is on the Nintendo DS! The newest chapter has all the emotion of the originals on the Mega CD.]
[Game Information: Nintendo DS, DS Card / Marvelous Interactive / Release date 8-25 / 5040 Yen (with tax)
Fantasy / RPG / Includes backup capability / Character design and artwork: Toshiyuki Kubooka, Developer: Game Arts]

-The first town, Sealis (shiirisu)-

We begin in the town of Sealis, where the main characters Gien (jian) and Lucia (rushia) live. You can move by just touching the area of town to which you want to go. First, go to the shop called "Gad (gado) Express" to gather information on courier jobs. Here you'll receive a job to deliver a package to the town of Berit (beritto). After taking the request, equip yourself at the weapons shop and set off! With this small job, the adventure begins.

(1st Screen)
Gien's House
Gien's house is in the port town of Sealis. At this point you will go to various places.

(2nd Screen)
(bottom four options read: Inn 1F, Restaurant, Josiah's (hosea) House, Isabella's (izabera) House)
Just touch where you want to go!
Instead of walking around town, now you can just touch where you wish to go! Not just the businesses of Sealis either, but you can visit your friends' houses too.

(3rd Screen)
(top part reads "Gad Express" on the top, then "in the middle of a job" in the middle. At the bottom it reads "Payoff 283")
(the bottom screen says "look for work" on the left and "cease work" on the right)
First, look for work.
Gad's Express is a courier business. At first there is only one job you can select, but as the story progresses this will increase. Incidentally, Gad's Express has several locations across the entire world.

(4th Screen)
Check your equipment!
On the way to deliver packages, you'll encounter monsters. Leave town after fully equipping yourself at the weapon shop. Your status which you can raise with the right equipment is clearly indicated in blue!


(c) 1992 Game Arts (c) 2005 Game Arts / JAM / Marvelous Interactive
* All screens are still in development


The Adventure Begins!!

-Field-
Movement on the field, the backdrop for the adventure, is the same as the system in town. Just by touching the area of the screen to which you want to go, you can easily move there. As forests and dungeons open up, new areas of the screen can be selected. This way, the world of adventure expands.

-Battle-
Start fighting the monsters you encounter in the forests and dungeons! Monsters are divided into two groups: air and land. Air-based monsters can only be defeated by bows and magic, but you can leave after defeating the land-based monsters. That way, you can directly attack. The details are still unclear, but is there even a way to revive monsters?

(1st Screen)
(bottom two options read: Wierd Woods, Sealis)
The presence of other towns and buildings besides Sealis, where the main character is standing, can be seen. First, let's go to the Wierd Woods.

(2nd Screen)
Goddess Statues Across the World!
Goddess Statues are not just in towns, but standing in forests and dungeons as well. Perhaps it's somehow related to Gien's adventure...?

(3rd Screen)
Once monsters see the characters, they will follow. If you can run away, you can avoid battle.

(4th Screen)
By calling out "run away!" into the Nintendo DS, you can run from battle.

(5th Screen)
Rapid-fire kicks, Gien's special skill, strikes monsters!

(6th Screen)
Lucia knows the magic of Althena. Support Gien's attacks.

Development Status: 90 Percent
The story's setting is some 1000 years in the world before the first "Lunar: The Silver Star"! Look for it after two months, we're still advertising for it now!!
Marvelous Interactive, International Group



-World Setting (the start of the world)-
Long ago, this world was a dead one where not even air existed. The Goddess Althena descended with a dragonmaster and the four dragons she controlled. With the Goddess's magic power, the land was beautifully reborn and life flowed forth. The dragonmaster pledged unending loyalty to the Goddess Althena and, together with the four dragons, swore to protect her.

-Story-
In the thriving port town of Sealis on Caldor Continent are Gien and Lucia, two people making their living as couriers. One day, they receive a job to go to the town of Healritz (hiirurittsu). Their hearts lept at the thought of going to the large city, also known as the City of Beastmen. However, upon reaching the town after an arduous journey, it turned out to be quite different from the utopia they imagined...

-The Main Character and His Friends-
In the world of "Lunar: Genesis", there are two races. Humans, who are adept at using tools but smaller and weaker, and beastmen, who have physical strength and stronger bodies. How do Gien and Lucia, and Gabriel, meet one another?

Gien Campbell
Race: Human
Age: 15
Occupation: Courier
Skill: kicking skill
Ability: knows physical attacks and dark magic

Caption: The main character, burning with curiousity

A boy who lives in the Port Town Sealis. Due to his burning curiousity, he was already drawn to the thought of an adventure. He was a boy with a warm heart, a strong sense of justice, and a sense of responsibility. However, he has the tendency to rush into things before thinking, but there are things he is very careful about. Also, more than anything, he thinks of Lucia first. He wishes to be a dragonmaster and confronts many obstacles, but with his cheerful nature he overcomes such difficult situations.

Lucia Collins
Race: Human
Age: 14
Occupation: Courier apprentice
Skill: attacks using an umbrella
Ability: uses the magic of Althena

Caption: No one can change her feelings for Gien

The heroine of the story. A bright and cheerful girl, she dislikes opposition. Like a sibling to Gien, she helps as a courier's partner. She may be one year younger than Gien, but at times she guides Gien with much resolve. But her destiny changes on one journey with Gien.

Gabriel Ryan
Race: Beastwoman
Age: 15
Occupation: Unknown
Skill: claw attacks
Ability: can absorb and use enemy attack abilities

Caption: The determined tomboy

A proud girl who is a beastwoman. She has a strong will and is very determined. You might call her a 'tomboy', but she sometimes sees the situation clearer than the rest. She struggles while feeling guilty about Gien, and overcomes her own complicated situation.

[Deguello]

That green-haired chick on the front of the box disturbs me.  From the way it looks, she wants me dead with an arrow, but seems pretty happy about it.  

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

OMG KAWAII GIRLS AND CATGIRL RPG!!

[Blackknight131]

Unrelated, but Im really likin that avatar there, Ruby Onix.
Cant wait for that game.

The box art for this game has been the most reassuring aspect of it thus far...it really does look like Lunar, even if the actual game has not yet began to impress me.

Ive been hearing its slated to come out in N America firtst, but I don't beleive it...that just sounds ree-diculous. Developed in Japanese by a Japanese team...its coming out in Japan first.

[Bill Aurion]

The boxart has sealed the deal for me.......Ok, FINE, it was the catgirl... ^_^

[Darc Requiem]

Yeah the box art is very encouraging. I'm still unsure of the battle system. I like the ability to move around in battle in previous Lunars. This one's battle remind me a bit of Phantasy Star.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Could someone describe the battle system(s) from previous RUNAAAAs?  I'm intriguied.

[ruby_onix]

High-rez Lunar DS American box art at IGN DS.