The Super Nintendo era was a golden age for Japanese role-playing games, though many titles did not receive widespread recognition until years later. Among these cult classics are the first two entries in the Lufia series, which will be re-released on Steam as Lufia I & II The Sinistral Saga. This marks the first official re-release for both games.
Published by Taito in 1993, the original Lufia presented players with a world menaced by a mysterious floating fortress and the malevolent Sinistrals, a race of demigods. A century after a group of heroes successfully repelled the invaders but perished in the process, their descendants must rise to face the Sinistrals once more as prophecy foretells their return.
While the first Lufia was noted for its intricate writing, ambitious combat, and numerous side quests, its sequel, released two years later, is often considered the pinnacle of the series. This follow-up chronicled the original raid on the Sinistral fortress and featured significantly improved painterly visuals, refined combat mechanics, and a critically acclaimed musical score. Some critics regard the sequel as one of the greatest JRPGs of its era. Both games have become exceptionally rare and valuable among collectors.
This dual re-release was announced during the PC Gamer presentation at Tokyo Game Show. It follows other recent re-releases of sought-after SNES titles, such as Terranigma. Lufia I & II The Sinistral Saga is slated for release next year. The announcement was a highlight of the TGS direct presentation, which also featured a new game from the Lorn's Lure developers and a notable anti-AI sentiment compared to other segments of the expo. The Lufia series itself spawned several sequels, many on handheld platforms, and the development team, Neverland, later created the popular Rune Factory series.