To The Moon Review

[Lekon]

To The Moon Review

Title: To The Moon
Platform: PC
Developer: Freebird Games
MSRP: $12 at Desura or Freebird Games
Editor: James 'Lekon' Barry

What's Hot: A wonderful story; great characters; amazing music.

What's Not: No real way to lose, game length is fairly short.

Everyone has regrets, failures, things they wish they could have a second chance to fix. Usually games aren't the medium used to tell stories about personal connections, losses, and trying to relate with someone who just isn't on the same wavelength as you. To The Moon not only goes after these subjects, but does so with maturity and just the right ammount of humor.

A view of Johnny's Home

To The Moon finds you playing as Dr. Neil Watts and Dr. Eva Rosalene, two agents who have the unique job of replacing and rewriting memories. Whie this procedure allows the patient to live out the life they always wished and to fix that one desire they always had, the downside is that the memories can not exist for long without causing damage to the mind, thus the procedure is only done on those already at death's door. The game begins with the doctors called to the home of Johnny, an elderly man who's desire is to go to the moon.

The patient, Johnny

Past that bit of storyline, almost anything I could write would be a spoiler. As can be guessed, things don't go exactly as planned. Thoroughout the story though, both Neil and Eva come off as likeable characters with some good humor about their jobs. The writing shines, but what really helps To The Moon go from good to great is the use of music. Every scene has musical accompaniment that fits amazingly well to the mood.

And off to work they go.

Gameplay itself revolves around moving through the world (Either the real or the virtual world inside the machine/Johnny's memories), and looking for clues or mementos that will help you move further back in Johnny's memory. Once you've found the memento, and a few pieces of memory (shown in game as colored dots) you crack the memento through a minigame, and slip back further in the memories to try and get to Johnny's Childhood.

A Memento Puzzle

A full run through the game will take about 4-5 hours, depending on how fast you read and how much exploring of the memory slices you do. Each little area of memory is fairly small, and there are few branching paths in the game. Those paths that do branch eventually come back to the main narrative. Freebird games has also stated that To The Moon is intended as the first story in a series of games based around the doctors, though each will be a completely contained story. I eagerly await the next in the series, and hope it can maintain this level of quality.

While there isn't all that much gameplay in To The Moon, it stands as a shining example of a wonderful story, told well and brought to life through the amazing original musical score. Eva in the game says "The ending is no more important than any other moment leading up to it." And this theme resonates throughout the game. Every moment in the story is well crafted, and always keeps on track. This is an interactive story that shouldn't be missed.

Score: 4 out of 5 CoGs



Lekon says, "An interactive story that is full of amazing music, memorable moments, and a story you won't be able to predict."

[Exodus]

Because I really liked the music.

[Hawkzombie]

I love seeing a friend's game up here like this.

[Exodus]

Isn't this also on iOS and Android operating systems?

Think that should be noted as well. I realize you reviewed the PC version but
hey it'd be nice to know for the developers sake no?

[Lekon]

Originally Posted by Exodus

Isn't this also on iOS and Android operating systems?

Think that should be noted as well. I realize you reviewed the PC version but
hey it'd be nice to know for the developers sake no?

Not as far as I know. You might be thinking of another game, but so far, TTM is only on Windows through Desura or Freebird's site.

I should also note for everyone who's on the fence, both download places have a 1-hour trial of the game. Plenty of time to see if it's right for you.

[Exodus]

Originally Posted by Lekon

Not as far as I know. You might be thinking of another game, but so far, TTM is only on Windows through Desura or Freebird's site.

I should also note for everyone who's on the fence, both download places have a 1-hour trial of the game. Plenty of time to see if it's right for you.

Could be right, thought I saw it listed as iOS and Android too while searching for the youtube trailer.

Anyway, someone else on youtube thought exactly what I was thinking.

This is an awesome, so very awesome IP that just screams could be a movie too with Oscar potential. They can re-do the sound production with possibly a real symphony even and not so jPop/disney vocals.

The premise is just, it's very for everyone and original.

[Lekon]

Originally Posted by Exodus

This is an awesome, so very awesome IP that just screams could be a movie too with Oscar potential. They can re-do the sound production with possibly a real symphony even and not so jPop/disney vocals.

The premise is just, it's very for everyone and original.

Honestly it never had any Jpop in it. Not in the game itself. That vocal thing was only on the trailer, and there is another vocal at one point in the game. Rest of it is all instrumental, and very well done. The developer is a damn fine composer.

Seriously, I can't wait to see this become a series. The premise is just amazing.

[Spigot]

Oh wow. This looks great. I've only heard of Desura during the Indie Royale thingy, but I'll look into it and take it for a spin if it's the way to get something like this.

[Ravenlock]

Desura's a nice little distribution platform; lightweight, and has a bunch of stuff the big boys don't. I got the hour trial for this and I'm loving it so far. It'll get my money.

[Superman's Dead]

Originally Posted by Exodus

Isn't this also on iOS and Android operating systems?

Think that should be noted as well. I realize you reviewed the PC version but
hey it'd be nice to know for the developers sake no?

The To The Moon that is listed as being for android and iOS is...not this. at all. It's...something some 14 year old made.

[Exodus]

Originally Posted by Superman's Dead

The To The Moon that is listed as being for android and iOS is...not this. at all. It's...something some 14 year old made.

Ahhhh, hahahahaha

you saw it too then?

Glad I'm not losing my mind.

[MagGnome]

I've watched the trailer for this game a few times, and it always gives me chills. I had no idea it was out already. I need to pick this up for sure.

Great review, Lekon!

[MagGnome]

Originally Posted by Exodus

Could be right, thought I saw it listed as iOS and Android too while searching for the youtube trailer.

Anyway, someone else on youtube thought exactly what I was thinking.

This is an awesome, so very awesome IP that just screams could be a movie too with Oscar potential. They can re-do the sound production with possibly a real symphony even and not so jPop/disney vocals.

The premise is just, it's very for everyone and original.

To be fair, it's basically the same premise as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind...at least to some extent. Still, it's a great idea that I'd love to see them explore further.