To the Moon

1. werty8472

   Nov 26, 2011

   10

   I was excited to see this game release from when I heard about it awhile ago. It borrows from the style of the 16-bit video game generationI was excited to see this game release from when I heard about it awhile ago. It borrows from the style of the 16-bit video game generation of yore, and shows the story of a man on his deathbed, who signs up for a program that can help him relive his life in order to achieve his wish.
   
   His wish? He wants to go to the moon.
   
   If you're anything like me, you're going through the first two hours of the game, basically at the brink of bawling like a baby (don't clump me in with those emo kids), with the last thing on your mind having anything to do with the moon. It's a complex story, and the culmination point of it seems farfetched until you let the entire story play before you, and you recognize the beauty of it all.
   
   Let me tell you something. Beauty is a perfect word to describe it. The storytelling is masterful, and complex, and charming. The characters are lovable. You play as the two scientists who assist the man in the pursuit of his dream, and often act as the comic relief for emotionally tense situations. Other times, they show as glimpses of characters who themselves have dark and secreted away emotions and struggles.
   
   The graphics show how aesthetic and detailed something can be when you focus that graphical attention on a style which is otherwise considered to be outdated. If you can masterfully produce something in 16-bit graphics, then you can see it as masterful as someone who built a complicated 3D system. The difference is that you have a much harder time showing a masterful presentation in 3D that ages well, since the medium is constantly being updated. The odd place of this current-day 16-bit presentation looks easily as masterful as the most detailed presentations of 16-bit classics.
   
   In short, I loved it.
   
   So, here's the part where I provide some criticism. The game looks very much like an old turn-based RPG classic. It plays like a point-and-click adventure, and much of the actual 'gameplay' is a set of sliding puzzles. The intent, it seems, is to focus much of the attention of the player to be on the story (which, as previously stated, is a strong point worthy of being pointed toward), but after all is said and done, one wonders about how necessary it was to have the title called a 'game'.
   
   Could the presentation have survived without the gameplay mechanics? The sliding puzzles, certainly, but one of the best things about a video game over, say, a book or a movie, is that you have the ability to interact with the world to get the most out of the storyline. There were a few things that I admired that could have only been done through use of gameplay- notes which get altered by untrustworthy narrators, and the like, but beyond that much of the exploration is required to progress the game, and the interactivity between the player and the environment is slim.
   
   In fact, the game 'reads' much like a visual novel. You do macguffins, and it makes story happen. But they jokingly acknowledged it several times, and clearly made an effort to keep it at a necessary minimum. To be fair, the turn-taking RPG itself stuff itself with macguffin'd tasks and elements. I dare you to tell me that the actual 'gameplay' in a Final Fantasy or Dragon Warrior game is good. Enjoying the battle element out of a turn-taking RPG is like liking calculators and Excel spreadsheets for the thrilling gameplay. You do a thing, which makes you feel like you're progressing.
   
   But, gamewise, is there a better way to include gameplay into a title which wants to focus as much as possible onto the story? Because of the detective-like elements of gameplay, and the articulation of the scientists would be better utilized with some of the elements which made Phoenix Wright into a game. I mean, sure, I don't know anything more about law than I did when I started playing the games, but I sure as hell felt like a lawyer. Some of the clues to the mystery of the man you are helping might be better solved if a gameplay mechanic forced the player to draw some of the conclusions itself.
   
   The end of the game was a clear and complete story of the man whose life you explored. But what is opened to you is a very interesting world, prime with opportunity for further exploration. So long as the charm of the two scientists is not over-explored early on, I expect myself to be able to enjoy the sequels that the game's conclusion certainly seemed to be hinting at. Hopefully I can man the hell up before I play them.
   
   Extra Note: I want to give special commendation to the game To the Moon for including a character who has special needs successfully into the story. I won't be too specific, since every single thing about this game should be experienced through the game itself, but all I want to say is that it was amazing to get a realistic human characterization without getting the 'a very special episode' feeling. Bravo.… Expand

   • 46 of 54 users found this helpful
2. estebanr37

   Mar 24, 2012

   10

   Excelente juego, es como la vida misma, dejando de lado los gráficos, es inmerso, atrapante, y te da que pensar,Excelente juego, es como la vida misma, dejando de lado los gráficos, es inmerso, atrapante, y te da que pensar, quizás el hecho de tener cutres gráficos, sea lo que te concentre totalmente en la historia, y en las distintas disyuntivas por las que atravesamos a lo largo de la vida.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
4. Smoates

   Sep 6, 2012

   10

   Maybe not for those looking for a "gaming" experience, but if your looking for a game with a brilliant, original, from-the-heart-story that isMaybe not for those looking for a "gaming" experience, but if your looking for a game with a brilliant, original, from-the-heart-story that is a real rarity in this day in age, you can't miss out on this. A game with a beautiful mood-setting soundtrack and a story that will restore your faith in humanity's storytelling abilities. It will touch your heart, possibly even make you cry and make you think twice about the value of the time you have to live in this world.
   
   TL;DR A beautiful story not worth missing… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. trisha317

   Nov 28, 2011

   10

   I am not a huge fan of video games, I'll admit it.
   My boyfriend made me play this game with him yesterday. The game play feels more like youI am not a huge fan of video games, I'll admit it.
   My boyfriend made me play this game with him yesterday. The game play feels more like you are in a movie with no fighting or side tasks or straying from what you are supposed to do.
   But that is the magic of the game. The dialogue is entirely amusing form the get-go. I thought the story was lame at first; I cracked so many jokes at the main character's wife. As the story became clearer and clearer my cynicism escaped me. At the end I was bawling like baby for a good twenty minutes.
   
   The music is incredible and the pixelated scenery is rich in colors. The combination of those two things and the story line will have you hooked.… Expand

   • 2 of 3 users found this helpful
6. Ryuhanzrio

   Sep 17, 2012

   9

   I went into this game being my first point and click game not knowing what to expect. But this game did for me what no other FPS or other RPGI went into this game being my first point and click game not knowing what to expect. But this game did for me what no other FPS or other RPG could do, and that was give me a story that made me cry, laugh, think about my life, and leave it feeling like somehow I gained something from beating the game, If you like story heavy games then this is for you, if you want action, guns and fighting then you will find no such thing here. But even if you don't like story heavy games give it a try anyway, I know I did and I didn't regret it.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
7. MiaBlaiscote

   Apr 6, 2021

   9

   “To The Moon” is one amazing story game. I can’t believe it was made in RPG Maker. Again, this shows the engine can create great games.“To The Moon” is one amazing story game. I can’t believe it was made in RPG Maker. Again, this shows the engine can create great games.
   
   Unlike “Finding Paradise”, there are more “game-y” aspects, like puzzles, and I was stuck at some points. However, I keep on, since I wanted to know how the story end.
   
   It’s also rare to have an autistic character in gaming, so I was cool with River.
   
   Yes, the story does have some bits I liked less (some dramatic events only for more drama!) but overall, I had a good time with “To The Moon”.
   
   Recommended with “Finding Paradise” and “A Bird Story”.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. GuntherUltrabol

   Jul 2, 2016

   0

   Folks, this is not a game. This is a short story that could be told in a half hour were it not for the mundane, tedious tasks you are forcedFolks, this is not a game. This is a short story that could be told in a half hour were it not for the mundane, tedious tasks you are forced to perform before moving on. Imagine reading your favorite book but before turning each page you and to toss 5 pennies into a jar from accross the room? I voted 1. Because this is not a game. Not even close to a game. You can't affect the end, you don't develope your character. You actually at one point play a very poorly rendered version of whack-a-mole so that you can move to the next chapter/paragraph/whatever. By the the time the story ended i was so irritated by the tedium, there wasn't any hope for a sad ending. It was a HAPPY ending for me because it was FINALLY over.… Expand

   • 2 of 47 users found this helpful

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