Lunar Dragon Song - Nintendo DS

Lunar: Dragon Song for Nintendo DS is a prequel to the beloved Lunar series, offering a new story set a thousand years before the events of Lunar: Silver Star. Developed by Japan Art Media, it was the first RPG released on the Nintendo DS, introducing dual-screen exploration and combat to the franchise.

The game follows Jian Campbell, a courier who becomes embroiled in a battle between the Vile Tribe and the forces of Althena. As Jian and his companions journey across the world, they uncover ancient secrets, face moral dilemmas, and grow into legendary heroes. The narrative includes familiar elements of friendship, destiny, and magic, all wrapped in a world rich with Lunar’s traditional charm.

Lunar: Dragon Song introduces some experimental gameplay systems—most notably a dual reward system where you choose between earning experience points or items after each battle. Combat is turn-based, with characters auto-targeting enemies unless directed otherwise, streamlining battles for quick play sessions. The game also includes limited voice acting, stylus-based input, and a unique “dash penalty” mechanic that adds tension to exploration.

While some of these design choices received mixed reactions, Lunar: Dragon Song remains a notable piece of DS RPG history and a point of interest for fans of the series or collectors seeking a different kind of handheld adventure.