Magazine Articles - Famitsu

Last month was the first look in the popular Japanese magazine Famitsu of Lunar: Genesis. The two-page article gave a preview of the characters and introduction to the plot of Lunar: DS in Japan. A scan of the article itself is below, and the LunarNET translation by Kizyr follows.

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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!

-The first town, Searis-

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

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

(2nd Screen)
(bottom screen reads: Inn 1F, Restaurant, Josiah's House, Isabella's 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 Searis either, but you can visit your friends' houses too.

(3rd Screen)
(top screen reads "Gad's Express", "in the middle of a job", and "Payoff 283")
(bottom screen reads "look for work" and "cease work")
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

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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 a way to revive monsters as well?

(1st Screen)
(bottom screen reads: Wierd Woods, Searis)
The presence of other towns and buildings besides Searis, 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, Jian's special skill, strikes monsters!

(6th Screen)
Lucia knows the magic of Althena. Support Jian'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

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-World Setting (the beginning 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 Searis on Caldor Continent are Jian and Lucia, two people making their living as couriers. One day, they receive a job to go to the town of Healriz. 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 Gabryel, meet one another?

Jian 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 Searis. 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 Jian, she helps as a courier's partner. She may be one year younger than Jian, but at times she guides Jian with much resolve. But her destiny changes on one journey with Jian.

Gabryel 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 Jian, and overcomes her own complicated situation.

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For more details, the official Lunar: DS section of LunarNET is now complete with further information on characters, storyline, gameplay, and the world of Lunar: Dragon Song. We will continue to keep you updated as more about the game is released. KF