"To the Moon" Review
I realized I've been playing Steam games non-stop. I thought I needed to study English, so I stumbled upon the English ADV game To the Moon.
Overall evaluation: +1 (Recommended)
Although I can't give a final evaluation without playing the sequel, I felt it was an excellent ADV that appeals to everyone.
The game's volume is moderate, and it can be completed within 10 hours, making it a great choice for those who want to practice their English reading skills.
Good points
The most notable aspect is the storytelling style.
It takes a unique approach by traveling from the present to the past, which is suitable for collecting foreshadowing.
The game's world-building and tricky settings are well-executed, making it a comfortable read.
The story itself is well-made, giving me a sense of accomplishment like I've just finished watching a grand film.
Additionally, there are many mysteries scattered throughout, and some of them remain unsolved, making it a great setup for a sequel (or so I think).
Even veteran novel gamers might think, "Ah, it's just a tear-jerker, I know what's going to happen," but the content is actually unrelated to that.
Furthermore, the game is overflowing with emotional moments.
The BGM, which features piano sounds, and the occasional episodes, object placement, and scene transitions all contribute to the emotional impact.
The pixel art also enhances the emotional experience.
It's hard to explain, so I recommend playing it yourself to feel it.
Note that the game supports 12 languages, but unfortunately, Japanese is not available on Steam.
The game's moderate volume and intricate storytelling, as well as the frequent use of slang and diverse expressions, make it a great choice for English language learners.
However, those who simply want to enjoy the story might want to search for a Japanese version elsewhere.
Bad points
While the story and world-building are excellent, there are some drawbacks in terms of system and gameplay.
The game was created with an old RPG maker, so the setting options are limited, and the screen size and volume cannot be adjusted.
Additionally, the character's walking speed is slow, which can be stressful at times.
The retro atmosphere, including the pixel art, is great, but it sometimes feels limited in its expression.
I wanted to see the story with more detailed graphics, but that might be possible in the manga or anime versions (if they exist).
The occasional mini-games were also underwhelming.
The memento puzzle, which needs to be solved every time, doesn't affect the story, which is disappointing.
Other information
- I actually found the sequel first and cleared it before playing this one.
- The game is also available on iOS and Android.
Overall evaluation
Although there are some drawbacks in terms of system, the story and BGM are excellent, making it a valuable experience.
Why not try playing it while practicing your English skills and getting a little emotional?
Those who don't want to study English can wait for a Japanese patch.
Bonus - A collection of difficult English vocabulary and phrases
- avert
- boulder
- fluff
- blather
- presume
- excruciating
- on your toes
- geezer
- sake
- for Pete's sake
- shush
- so be it
- knack
- convince
- punk
- bribery
- reprimand
- bystander
- daisy
- supplant
- apocryphal
- deem
- hideous
- heck
- mere
- kick some butts
- blabber
- ripe
- Neurotypical
- notorious
- confined
- swell
- crikey
- fricking
- arse
- taint
- hacky
- sack
- aloof
- take a toll
- articulate
- guise
- cowardice
- corny
- pretentious
- pervasive
- elope
- affiliate
- equine
- ranch
- atrocity
- competent
- nag
- wuss
- barge
- hog
- hipster
- bastard
- cuckoo
- grudge
- smudge
- impede
- digress
- groupie
- brunette
- blatant
- grieve
- widow
- back on (one's) feet
- once in a while
- scold
- glimpse
- dampen
- olfactory
- limbic
- wither
- contrived
- linger
- cuckoo
- jinx
- plow
- dibs
- make a scene
- ghetto
- Constellation
- exquisite
- strand
- hectic
- pushover
- startle
- samaritan
- whack
- sulk
- run into
- Chemotherapy
