Just like Deltarune, Sgt.M has released the first chapter of his latest project for free. I’ve already gave my brief thoughts on the demo a while back(who will die as soon as this is finished) but that was more a first impression. Now, I’m gonna do a full review of this chapter and recommend it cause why are you not playing his games?

Story

Lunita is the daughter of the oracle, Astrid and while doing chores in preparation for the coming Crescent Moon Festival, she meets some new friends and a pet dog, but also draws the eye of the evil Count Chroma. and in the coming days, her life is going to change.

Pretty simple story with simple characters and the foreshadowing is off the charts. If you think something is going to happen to the mom because of all her talk about Lunita having to grow up, then you are correct. This isn’t a complaint however, since the characters, themes and gameplay make up for the cliches. And speaking of theme...I still don’t have a firm grasp on what it is. I have an idea of what could be and that idea and that is “phases” like a moon.

The best example I can think to explain my reasoning is Amos, the gunslinger member of the Sundown Squad. He’s a shy but friendly fella who hangs out with the a gang of “heroes” but their leader treat him like crap by giving stupid task like punching a rock. It’s clear that Amos is better than him, with how easily he beats some goons in a panic and needs to learn he’s better of without him. Like starting a new “phase” of his life.... To be honest, that’s my best reason for thinking that’s the theme.

And the rest of the cast is enjoyable. Minister Orange is a bundle of laughs, Rain lives up to being the cool aunt, some enjoyable cleaning appliances in the basement and there’s something going on with the mom. But I have to say this and thats that I don’t like that Lunita is a silent protagonist. It made sense for the Yuusha to be silent protagonist since they are constantly ignored and just want to go home. It’s a similar problem I had with Persona 5 with its protagonist, it feels like people are reacting to a piece of cardboard instead of a character and it bothers me. Sure there are dialogue choices but they don’t really amount to much. And this is proven how bad this is with the post game content which I won’t spoil

Gameplay:

So we got the usual dungeon and town thing most RPGs have with buying stuff and talking to locals in town and exploring dungeons. Of course you’re new puppy has special skills that allow you to explore said dungeons like making a bridge or roll on rails.

The combat however is something special. Lunita is a mage with white and black magic. Maru is a brawler who can also beg or “steal” to use the actual function and give the party buffs. Amos is a ginslinger who can not only use AOE attacks with a chance of a status effect, but his basic element skills give him a buff that allows him to keep the element. Add this to his gatling skill with and an enemy that’s weak to the element and watch the pain. And finally Rain who can not only debuff and scan enemies, but she can make bots that can help like a healer or attacker. Sure they require MP to keep working but you have items and AP to restore it Pretty good party here to be honest

But the special gamplay gimmick in this game is the phases of the moon. While you’re exploring, the moon will change from 4 phase and depending on the phase, certain enemies will behave different and you might activate a special zodiac item like speed up at the start of battle. We only really see this mechanic in normal combat in the second dungeon where you fight the bulbs who will turn into flowers on a full moon, and the cave section where the moon will determine your accuracy like if you got a new moon, you’re better of using magic. But the bosses really go to town with the moon since each of them uses it in interesting ways. The first is a simple tutorial on how to use the moon and the second will make you prioritise who to hit. All the bosses so far were great and I look forward to what clever bosses we face in the full game

Presentation:

It’s the usual art style and music so if you already read my review of Soma or Yuusha then nothings change. The menu interface does look really nice and is something I don’t think I’ve seen before. and the battle interface shares the same purple style.

Verdict

so we went form a free sample to a slice of cake. And it’s some delious cake too. Don’t know when the cake will be ready but this cake metaphor is making me hungry.

9/10