(Image credit: GungHo)
Kei Shigema, the renowned novelist and game writer, has had his hands in various iconic projects, including Asura’s Wrath and Scarlet Nexus. Yet, his most celebrated contributions are perhaps Lunar: Silver Star Story and its sequel Lunar 2: Eternal Blue, games that were staple titles on the Sega Saturn and PS1. Fans of these classics have long awaited their resurgence, and finally, a remaster is on the horizon. Despite his absence from this new version, Shigema’s enthusiasm remains undampened.
In an email chat with GamesRadar+, Shigema reminisces about seeing Grandia remastered. He confides, “I thought, ‘That’s so nice. I’m jealous!'” Both games hail from Game Arts, where Shigema also left his mark on Grandia’s sequel. Still, his heart holds a special place for the Lunar series.
The anticipation for a remastered Lunar had lingered in Shigema’s mind forever. Upon its announcement, he shared his mixed feelings: “Will today’s players still cherish a game from three decades ago?” Although he doesn’t play a direct role in the Lunar Remastered Collection, set to release next month, he understands its vital role in drawing newer audiences to these timeless stories.
Shigema reflects, “Unlike movies or novels which can be enjoyed in their original formats, games are anchored by the original hardware. This barrier makes older games less accessible than they should be.” While playthrough videos can provide glimpses into these worlds, Shigema emphasizes that games are meant to be actively experienced. He continues, “This remaster is electrifying because it revives that firsthand experience for today’s generation. I can only hope that after immersing themselves in Lunar, players will gaze at the moon and think, ‘Ah… so that’s where my journey unfolded.'”
Reflecting on his past, he remembers his journey with Lunar with immense fondness. It stands as “the happiest and most fulfilling period of my life,” he states. One crucial lesson he garnered from those days is the collaborative nature of game development: “It truly requires a team to bring a vision to life,” he affirms. This ethos led him to establish Gekko Inc, a game scenario company contributing to projects like the 2018 Secret of Mana remake and the recent RPG, Mario & Luigi: Brothership for the Switch.
Shigema’s legacy with Lunar bridges both past and future, with new fans soon to embark on their cosmic adventures. The Lunar Remastered Collection will land on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC come April 18. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions with Shigema in the upcoming days.
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