Marketed as a “cozy” recreation, on that finish, Moonglow Bay delivers (in that cozy equals miserable form of approach). Nevertheless it’s additionally marketed as a “fishing RPG.” That recreation units expectations that it in the end doesn’t ship. Certainly, I query what kind of recreation Moonglow Bay in the end desires to be. Do the builders even know? It’s a mishmash, and as such, it’s the sort that’ll in all probability end in a find it irresistible or go away it response.
The sport begins compellingly, with you taking management of a middle-aged to older character (from a minuscule choice). That’s not one thing I recall too many video games doing (although the grief angle actually rings a bell), and it makes Moonglow Bay stand out considerably. So does the Jap Canadian shoreline setting, offered in voxel type, no much less. With a singular character and setting, Moonglow Bay appears set to ship a comfortable fishing journey RPG.
Sadly, as soon as the opening narrative and tutorials conclude, you’re left with a component of aimlessness. Do you wish to discuss to the residents of the city? You’re inspired to, although many (maybe most) have little to say, a minimum of initially, and aren’t very attention-grabbing past dropping tidbits about fish. Do you wish to go to the varied buildings? I’m shocked that such an enormous city has so little to enter; an actual kick within the pants after slowly making your solution to a spot on the map. Critically, I get we’re enjoying an older character, however this sluggish strolling pace quickly grows weary. Nevertheless, this could be a random glitch as a result of it doesn’t at all times occur. In any case, your complete recreation begins a little bit too sluggish for my liking. On the level the place it must be hooking you, chances are you’ll end up turned off earlier than attending to the higher components, like getting a ship and battling bosses.
After all, you’re not simply catching fish, but in addition cooking them, as a result of what would a “slice-of-life” recreation be with out that? We discovered the timing difficult, though each the burnt and undercooked meals nonetheless regarded nice. Maybe this component was, could I recommend, undercooked? If real-life bankrupt cities relied on my cooking for survival, we’d be in bother.
The voxel graphics are an acquired style. Whilst somebody who enjoys these, they appear barely misplaced right here. In the meantime, my spouse very a lot disliked them, which killed the potential for co-op play within the Gould family. The presentation can result in getting caught (once more, the lead character isn’t agile), bugs or not. Fortunately, an in-game possibility allows you to spawn at a secure level.
One thing that shouldn’t be an acquired style is the soundtrack. Lena Raine (Celeste) got here via with compositions that stored me enjoying longer than I would in any other case. My tip is to decrease the sound results and dialogue within the choices whereas cranking the music.
For all its unique components, Moonglow Bay surprisingly finally ends up taking in style components from different video games and never bettering them. Now, in case you’re on the lookout for one other recreation with a plot formed by grief and haven’t had your fill of fishing, cooking, promoting/donating, taking footage, and many others., that is for you. For me, it wasn’t what I anticipated. It would’ve labored three years in the past when initially launched on PC. However as a 2024 launch on Change, it’s too cliched and stagnant for me to offer a broad suggestion.
Moonglow Bay didn’t hook me, however because the debut recreation from a small studio, it’s a strong sufficient begin general for the subset of avid gamers who haven’t but had their fill of titles like this. I hope the group can tighten their focus and gameplay mechanics for his or her subsequent launch.
