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To the Moon
PC (Steam)
A Moving Journey Through the Mind and Soul
4.5/5 stars
To the Moon manages something in four hours that is hard to achieve in any medium - be it games, movies or books - and that is reach an emotional level that is both deep and one that you can relate to. The game is billed as a "story-driven experience" and that about sums things up - there aren''t any monsters to fight, no guns to shoot nor dungeons to crawl. But the impact from this game will stay with you a long time - as simple as it is, it's the most I've felt from a game since Telltale's excellent edition to The Walking Dead. The game doesn't take much time - but don't let that fool you - it's importance can't be measured that way.
Presentation: The game is presented in a classic RPG pixel-art style (think Chrono Trigger) and it fits the story well. It is probably one of the best-looking games using this (what some may now think primitive) presentation. This retro look fits the story well (see below) and doesn't detract from the game at all. There are no voices, as the everything is text-based, however the music is outstanding - the piano-driven score is evocative and superb with themes throughout. It is hard to find a better example of music fitting a game so well. There is also one vocal track "Everything's Alright" by Laura Shigihara that is just as good as the rest of the soundtrack.
The characters are also very well though-out with distinct personalities - sure, they may not go super deep but they give you enough depth that you get a real feel for them - moreso than many other games that last much longer. These are characters you can connect and relate to - they're not fighting aliens or mutants - they're just trying live, to do their jobs, to get by, to find something - and that need, that is universal - and I have a feeling that's why this particular game resonates so well with people.
Story: It's hard to describe without spoiling anything so I'll be as brief as possible. Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts from the Sigmund Corp. They work as kind of a Make-A-Wish foundation via Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - their goal is to give a dying person their final wish - whatever that may be - and in order to do so they dive in to that person's mind, manipulate their memories and have them achieve their dream - in their mind at least, often only moments before their death. It sounds heavy - Dr. Watts is the upbeat comedian while Dr Rosalene is the more grounded realist. In this particular job they are helping one Johnny Wyles achieve his dream - to go the moon - the reason which he is not sure of, but he just knows that is what he wants. Johnny lives in quite a large home in a rather remote area, overlooking a now-derelict lighthouse. His home is filled with memories - a Platypus stuffed animal, a room full of origami rabbits, an old backpack, a song written for his now-deceased wife, a shelf full of old Animorphs books - and as the two doctors dive into his memories they will learn the story of Johnny, along with the stormy relationship to his wife, River and uncover a memory long-buried that leads to the true reason behind him wanting to go to the moon.
Gameplay: For the most part the game is a point-and-click adventure. The game is presented in three acts - Act 1 is exploring Johnny's memories. This is the most game-like portion as you must click on objects to unlock the memory that will take you back in time (eventually ending in his childhood). Each memory you unlock presents you with a puzzle wherein you have to fill in the blank spaces using a vertical / horizontal grid. They are all pretty easy even towards the end - the game gives you a set goal of the least amount of moves to complete the puzzle, but I don't believe it matters how many moves you take.
Act 2 Takes place after recovering all the memories and discovering that despite connecting them all together (in another short mini-game) that manipulating his early memories did not work - his story stays the same. But they realize they cannot access his earliest memories and must take a risky approach - there is one final mini-game to be found (Whack-A-Mole!) but this episode it mostly exploration.
Act 3 is the final act in which the final memories have been unlocked and Dr. Rosalene puts her plan in motion to fulfill Johnny's wish. Towards the end Dr. Watts, not agreeing with her has to navigate a deadly onslaught (using the directional and WASD keys instead of the mouse for once) before he realizes her true intentions. Once again, the most of this act is story-driven.
There are also two mini-episodes that follow the two doctors during a Christmas party as the HQ (currently being attacked by protesters) as well as a mini get-together in the lobby featuring some old and new characters. It also features a game built by Dr. Watts that follows the same story as To the Moon (in an even more primitive fashion - but still enjoyable - a game within a game if you will). But it also alludes to the fact these two episodes may be simply a part of another memory experiment. Both of these can be completed in about 10-15 minutes.
Overall the game is more of an adventure than anything else - with a few puzzles and mini-games thrown in for good measure.
Replayability: Granted, aside from a few variations, the game won't change much - but the story is so good I could see going back to it and if they keep adding those mini episodes, it could very well continue on for a awhile.
Overall: Poignant and unique - To the Moon is not exactly a "game" in the common sense, but it is certainly an experience that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled and anyone who likes a more emotional connection to their media deserves to check this one out.
Presentation: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Gameplay: 4/5
Replayability: 4/5
Overall (not an average): 4.5/5
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