Lunar: Dragon Song - Save Glitch FAQ
Version 1.02
Last updated: January 30, 2006
By Andrea Robinson, with Synonymous
Part 1 - Introduction
Part 2 - Save Glitch FAQ
2.1 - What is the save glitch?
2.2 - What's it's NOT
2.3 - What triggers it?
2.4 - How can I avoid it?
2.5 - What do I do if it happens to me?
Part 3 - Miscellaneous
3.1 - Disclaimer
3.2 - Acknowledgements
3.3 - Version History
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NOTICE: This guide contains spoilers. You have been warned.
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PART 1 - INTRODUCTION
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Among the problems with Lunar: Dragon Song is a known glitch in the North
American version, wherein, at one part of the game, it's possible to take an
action that disables the game's save function, forcing you to reset and start
again from your most recent save. We get a lot of questions about this glitch
on the GameFAQs message board, and I thought it would be useful to have one
centralized document with everything we know about the glitch.
Thanks to Synonymous for providing information and proofreading for me, as well
as trying to duplicate the glitch in the Japanese version for completeness.
-- Andrea 'AquaHaute' Robinson
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Part 2 - SAVE GLITCH FAQ
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2.1 - What is the Save Glitch?
After reaching the Frontier continent, as well as after Flora leaves the party,
taking certain actions causes a red line to appear through the 'Save' option,
with no known way of restoring the function without turning off the DS and
losing progress. However, it does not PERMANENTLY disable the Save function -
it is disabled only until you power off the DS.
This glitch does not appear in the Japanese version of the game, but has been
confirmed in the North American release. If I ever learn definitively whether
it ends up being in the European release, I will update the FAQ appropriately.
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2.2 - What it's NOT
There are two occasions during the game when the Save function is disabled ON
PURPOSE. Do not panic - in these two instances, it is simply part of the
game's programming, it will be restored after certain events, and in fact it's
for your own good; as a result, you can get out and level up, buy equipment or
healing items, or get useful cards, without being trapped.
The two instances are:
1) Between the fight with Gronk (in Cathedral of Althena) and the fight with
Beast King Zethos. Yes, this means you'll have to fight Gronk again if you
lose to Zethos.
2) While in the four corner areas before entering the Chamber of Rebirth.
There is no way to escape these areas aside from defeating all the enemies
in Virtue Mode, so being trapped here at low health with no cards or items
would be a BAD thing. After clearing each area, you're teleported back to
the walkway, where you can save again.
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2.3 - What triggers it?
We're not entirely sure, but there are two actions that seem to be connected to
the problem. Both can happen only on the Frontier Continent.
1) Getting a bad fortune from the fortune-teller in Lind Village, although this
will not NECESSARILY disable saving.
2) Going back to the Underground Tunnel and talking to Flora after she leaves
the party.
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2.4 - How can I avoid it?
The number one safety measure you can take is to SAVE FREQUENTLY, especially
when you are on the Frontier continent. This is a good idea anyway, since the
entire world map has enemies that can break or steal your hard-earned
equipment.
Specific ways to avoid losing the Save function are:
1) Don't get your fortune told at all.
2) Since there ARE positive benefits to getting a good fortune, should you
decide to give it a shot, save IMMEDIATELY before talking to the fortune-
teller. If you get a bad fortune, check whether saving has been disabled;
if so, reset. You won't have lost more than fifteen or thirty seconds of
progress. However, I do not know whether the results from the fortune-
telling are randomly generated or are derived from in-game conditions, so
reloading to try to get a better fortune may not help.
3) Do not go back to the Underground Tunnel and talk to Flora after she
leaves. If you want to use the Althena statue there, that's fine; if you
want to buy cheap equipment in Lind Village to put on Rufus so you can sell
his good equipment after he leaves the party, that's fine; but DON'T TALK TO
FLORA. Flora will return to the party when she's good and ready - talking to
her will not affect when or whether she returns.
By following these guidelines, you can entirely avoid being affected by this
glitch.
Again, remember, you need only take these specific precautions if you are
playing the North American version of the game.
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2.5 - What do I do if it happens to me?
This is why it's important to save frequently. If you find that the Save
function has been disabled and it's NOT one of the two instances detailed in
section 2.2, all you need to do is turn off the DS and turn it back on again.
The Save function will now be useable again.
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PART 3 - MISCELLANEOUS
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3.1 - Disclaimer
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I am not affiliated with Nintendo, Ubisoft, Game Arts, Japan Art Media, or any
publishers of guides or walkthroughs, and I do not claim their work as my own,
nor am I profiting from this guide, monetarily or otherwise. This guide was
written out of a desire to help other players.
However, the design and contents of this guide are copyright 2006 Andrea
Robinson. Please do not copy or plagiarize this guide or claim it as your own
work.
The only site that may host this guide is
http://www.gamefaqs.com.
If you have questions, please reread the guide and make sure your question
has not already been answered. If it isn't there, or if it lies outside the
scope of the save glitch, check with other FAQs, and if that doesn't help,
direct your question to the "Lunar: Dragon Song" message board on GameFAQs,
located at:
http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/gentopic.php?board=925564
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3.2 - Acknowledgements
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I compiled this FAQ from generally available information on the GameFAQs
message board for Lunar: Dragon Song. That said, I'd like to extend special
thanks to...
- Synonymous on the GameFAQs message boards, who collaborated on this FAQ with
me, proofreading and providing various information, as well as confirming
that this glitch is not present in the Japanese version.
- All the people and companies responsible for creating and producing the
Lunar universe.
- The guys on FFT General, for their overall kindness and constant pimping of
my FFT guides.
- And, as always, thanks to Aaron, who bought me the Nintendo DS I played this
game on, who recommended the Lunar games to me in the first place, and
without whom I would never have played RPGs at all. I love you, Aaron.
Thanks for everything.
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3.3 - Version History
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* Version 1.0 - January 23, 2006
Dashed this off in about thirty minutes and e-mailed it to Synonymous for
proofreading and fact-checking.
* Version 1.01 - January 28, 2006
Clarified information about the glitch in the Japanese version as regards
the fortune-teller; thanks, Synonymous. First version submitted to GameFAQs.\
* Version 1.02 - January 30, 2006
Received confirmation that the glitch does not appear in the Japanese version
at all, and updated the FAQ appropriately.
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