Best video game story I’ve ever seen.

To The Moon is a fantastic experience. It’s a story driven RPG with great characters, great story telling, and a powerful soundtrack. It’s story has great mystery, some fun comedy, and serious tearjerkers (come prepared with tissues). Being written, developed, and composed nearly all by Kan Gao, it shows through the ability for all the different elements to work together to enhance the story and experience. The main downside is that the “game” aspect isn’t very impressive. The majority of the gameplay involves just walking around and reading the dialogue triggered by interactions. There is little challenge (besides emotionally) to progress, and the game almost plays out more like an interactive movie than a game (though movies don’t have pixel based visuals and dialogue boxes for conversation). For some people, the lack of gameplay can be a turn-off, but personally I don’t feel it detracts from the experience. Overall, would I recommend this? If you’re just looking for a challenging or gameplay filled experience, then perhaps no. However, if you want an incredible story that lives up to the stories of some of the best movies and books, absolutely!

For gaming, top notch story and music

When it comes to story and music, I usually have less expectations on a game than a movie. However, this game delivers with an emotional story and music. There is minimal gameplay so it felt a lot like reading a book with polished super nintendo RPG visuals. While I enjoyed the story, it sometimes felt like the story dragged on at times with things that had none-little impact on the story. In other words, it took me about 4 hrs to beat but i was probably only interested in about 3 hrs of the game. I still gave 5 stars because holding my interest for the majority of the time is still better when compared to most other games. Story and music are areas I'd like to see future games improve on. I feel too many game developers these days focus on graphics and more content to make a game long, that it becomes difficult for them to put a lot of focus on each part of a long game. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule but maybe only 1 game out of 1000. You can see the focus in this great short game through it's story, music, and ability to make minimal graphics still look pretty.

Mixed Feelings

The stellar reviews finally brought me to this game. As many before have observed, the actual gameplay is minimal. There is very light exploration and several quick mini-games along the way which basically serve to nudge the story along. But if you adjust your expectations and decide to invest yourself in the narrative, the experience can be surprisingly poignant and thought provoking. Which is why I regret the one thing that detracted from my experience, which is the dialogue between the two characters that you play throughout the story (the "doctors") that I found to be hokey, crass and juvenile to the point of being completely distracting. Constantly flinging sarcastic comments or insults at each other, being jarringly rude to other characters, routinely calling each other "idiot", "moron", or at one point, "butthead." The dialogue between these two so-called doctors struck me as so wildly out of place that it constantly jolted me out of this otherwise touching storyline and came close to derailing the whole experience for me, unfortunately. Having said that, I was still able to somewhat overlook the childish banter and remain attuned to the larger story, which is truly moving and memorable and still made the journey worthwhile in the end.

Impeccable...

If you could throw aside the concept of a video game from just pure enjoyment and instead focus on immersing yourself into a deep, riveting story that warms your soul, than you’ve found it in To The Moon. There’s hardly any gameplay, and that’s the way this game should be, since the story is so moving that any gameplay would feel like a distraction to turning the page on what happens next. You’ll find your heart strings stirred, you’ll feel for the characters and you’ll breathe the music in a way that gameplay focused video games can’t do. This game is well worth playing it straight through, in fact it’s really hard to put down. But what really sticks is that you won’t be able to forget the 4 hours you spent with it. By the end of if it, you’ll feel like your life has changed a little bit for the better.

Enjoyable

I'm glad I gave this a second chance. During my first playthrough I ended up putting the game down after finding it a bit slow for the mood I was in at the moment, and I eventually deleted it to clear up space. I recently redownloaded and played it in two days with one break in between. This time I really enjoyed it. It's a bit slow at times, and to me it was kind of predictable to be honest, also the controls are a bit wonky (I believe it's an iOS port), but it's not a game breaker or anything. However, I don't get the people saying "I never cry playing video games, but this game got me", perhaps they don't play particularly emotional games... cause I HAVE cried during several games, but this one didn't have that affect on me at all. That being said, if you like visual novels with a bit of exploration in an 8 bit environment, with a great soundtrack, and a sorta cheesy albeit enjoyable storyline download the game. If you only like games with a ton of action, move along.

What a Great Experience!

This game is everything it says it is, but this does not adequately communicate the totality of the gaming experience. It truly is a relaxing game: the music creates a marvelous backdrop for an easygoing play experience. Your characters cannot die and you are not playing against a clock. There are puzzles, but these aren’t the frustrating sort. Character movement could be a bit smoother, but this is my one criticism. It is not a reason to avoid this game. The beauty of this game is progressing in order to build Johnny’s life story. It’s a compelling one. In addition to his true life story, however, you are also building an alternate memory set to ease his mind as he nears death. This is the part of the game plot that has some surprising turns. I highly recommend this game. If you finish it, be sure to watch all the way through the credits.

Love You to the Moon and Back

Wow, words can’t describe what I felt when playing this game. It’s been about a year since I’ve played it, but it’s been one of the most memorable iOS game I’ve had the pleasure to experience. The story starts simple: you’re a doctor visiting his dying patient with your aide, but then you learn that the character you’re playing can alter memories. Alter their history so that your patient’s dreams can come true! So after delving into your patient’s memory, so his wish can come true and he can pass in peace, you experience life through his eyes. There’s joy, sorrow and every emotion in between. When I finished the game, I didn’t even realize how much time had passed. That’s how immersive this game is/was. It’s up to you if you want to play, but you won’t regret it if you do.

A Fix/Review

I don’t normally write reviews, but, I felt I had to. I first discovered TTM a few years ago(and I started playing piano just for Johnny’s solo piece “For River”), and fell in love with the story and music and characters. I eventually bought it for pc, and you can imagine how excited I was when I found out there was a mobile app. I’ve completed the game twice on mobile, and even have over 24 hours on pc. Some people don’t like it because it isn’t really a “game”, but more of an interactive storyline. Each to their own. But there is one thing I had a problem with. SPOILER WARNING! When we first hear of Anya, the last time I checked, the journal immediately reveals that she is the lighthouse. In the original version, this reveal is later on in the game, and the note about Anya originally is “Someone Johnny and River knew”, or something close to it. I highly suggest you fix this, since it takes away one of the key moments of the game! Anyhow, the music is fantastic and after two years, I can finally play Johnny’s version of “For River”, and it is my go to for any occasion. I recommend you give the game a chance, but if it isn’t for you, that’s okay. Perhaps you can even bring A Bird Story to mobile, and eventually Finding Paradise(which I am looking forward to greatly!). Thanks!

Release Date, Trailers, News, Reviews, Guides, Gameplay and more for To the Moon.

IGN Mon Dec 16 2024

Playing To the Moon again in 2020 is a peculiar experience. It still holds up, but the industry around it has evolved quite a bit.

DualShockers Mon Mar 16 2020

Digital Bros subsidiary 505 Games has announced today that it has obtained the global mobile publlishing rights to No B…

GamesIndustry.biz Tue Apr 16 2019

To the Moon Review (Nintendo Switch) - Every so often a game comes around and leaves a mark on you like no other. To the Moon is definitely...

VGCultureHQ Mon Mar 16 2020

X.D Inc has announced that the open beta for the ARPG Torchlight: Infinite will officially launch this October.

The Geekiary Sun Oct 16 2022

The Pok�mon cartoon has spent the last 10 years on Cartoon Network, but starting next month, it's finding a new home on cable. As of Dec.

Polygon Mon Jan 16 2017

Following a leak, Freebird Games and XD Network confirmed today that they are recreating the game for Nintendo Switch.

DualShockers Thu May 16 2019

Disney XD will premiere Pok�mon the Series: Sun & Moon on December 5th this year and will eventually air most of the extensive Pok�mon animated movie/TV...

Screen Rant Mon Jan 16 2017

ANN's coverage of Anime Expo 2024 is sponsored by Yen Press and Ize Press! ADK Emotions NY Inc. and T-Licensing Inc. announced on Thursday...

Anime News Network Mon Sep 16 2024

The Pokemon Company will debut the all-new season of Pokemon The Series: Sun & Moon on Disney XD in 2017.

MovieWeb Mon Jan 16 2017