On a quest to revive a classic for the PSP, XSEED’s Lunar: Silver Star Harmony fully utilizes the graphical capabilities of a modern console while staying true to the elements that have made the original a cult classic. With its slew of captivating cut scenes and a soundtrack few titles could ever compete with, there’s no doubt that Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is a beautifully polished remake of its Sega CD-born ancestor. But will a shiny new upgrade be enough for gamers to trudge through the world of Lunar again or is this exhausted tale of dragonmasters destined for failure?

For those unfamiliar with the series, Lunar: Silver Star Harmony follows the adventures of a boy named Alex and his allies as they race to stop a powerful villain from destroying the land of Lunar with divine magic. Alex has always dreamed of nothing more than becoming a dragonmaster like his idol, Dyne – one of four heroes who helped bring peace to the land 15 years prior to this story. What begins as a harmless treasure hunt with his best friends Ramus and Luna, quickly turns into an epic journey that will have him filling the shoes of his childhood icon and fighting to save the world.

Though Lunar: Silver Star Harmony‘s story doesn’t stray very far from that of the original title, it still manages to keep things fresh with minor plot tweaks and the contemporary pop culture references fans have always appreciated. Despite having a solid story however, the nature of the gameplay at times feels monotonous – leaving long gaps between plot points that have you forgetting why you ventured off into the unknown in the first place.

But while you’re there, you might as well enjoy the view. The world of Lunar definitely receives a major face lift this time around with elaborate settings and an attention to detail that makes the original pale in comparison. Each town you pass through has a life of its own with distinct architecture and vibrant colors making necessary exploration completely voluntary at times. The same quality carries over to the battlefield where magical attacks and special abilities feel more like scenes from an anime than a game.

Much like the early Final Fantasy titles, the characters battle in a turn-based system that rewards victory with experience points and an occasional item. Any contact with the various creatures scattered across each area will automatically phase you into these battle sequences, but avoiding confrontation from time to time is possible. When enough experience points are earned, your character will level up – increasing various attributes (attack, defense, wisdom, luck etc.) and occasionally granting new abilities and spells to use for future battles.

The control system during these fights is completely solid. Action menus are broken up into several categories (Attack, Spells, Items, etc) and can easily be accessed by using the D-Pad. When the number of battles in the game begins to slash away at your patience, an AI command is available that lets your characters fight through on their own without any need for direction. You’ll find yourself using this option frequently towards the latter part of your journey as the urge to see the end credits overpowers the fading allure of wielding swords and magic.

To provide a much needed break from tedious battles, beautifully animated cut scenes play as new characters and pivotal story events are introduced. At times the dialogue can sound a little corny, but the voice acting and soundtrack associated with each scene is always on point. With so many references to pop culture and witty exchanges between characters, it’s hard not to be entertained no matter how frustrating certain parts can get.

Fans of the original Lunar title will be pleasantly surprised with the aesthetic changes that come with Lunar: Silver Star Harmony, but if you’re looking for a drastic change in story, disappointment is unavoidable. The gameplay may drag at time,s but if you’re no stranger to turn-based rpg’s, consider this a solid addition to any PSP collection. For those who find the genre unbearable however, this is one boat you don’t want to get on.