 | We’re continuing the series on Sad Games and upping the stakes with an adventure game that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Have you ever watched the first ten minutes of the Pixar movie “UP” and thought “Gee, I wish this was longer, and also in video game format.” then I’ve got great news for you! |
To The Moon has a synopsis that blatantly tells you that you’re in for a weepy time: two doctors alter a dying man’s memories so that he can “live” his final request-- to go to the moon. The duo travel through his tragic life story, memory-by-memory, all the way back to his childhood, so that they can re-create the life he lived.
| Despite your first reaction of “NOPE” stick with me, here. There is plenty of comic relief supplied by the bumbling doctors, and you’ll be eager to fill in all the intriguing plot pieces of a story-told-backwards. |  |
The game is in that pixelly rpg look of yesteryear, but simply gorgeous beyond belief. The settings, the lighting, the impressive level of detail, you’re never at loss for something pretty to look at. This definitely comes in handy when you can’t find the Memory MacGuffin to get to the next part of the story. Thankfully, I only got stuck a couple of times-- the search for memory pieces is natural and intuitive, since you’ll be desperate for hints at the mystery of the man’s life.
 | The controls are a bit fiddly, and the gameplay is forced at times (solve this puzzle because Reasons!), but the stunningly beautiful graphics and intriguing plot more than make up for To The Moon’s weak points. When you finally find out why the old man wants to go to the moon, it’ll all be worth it. |
If you find yourself loving To The Moon as much as I did, you’ll be glad to know that the next mini-installment in the series, A Bird Story, will be out next month. A Bird Story will be the introduction to the main character in the second possibly-tearjerking episode, so keep an eye out for its release.
I didn’t cry during the game, but I came very, VERY close, teetering on the edge. I definitely got very misty-eyed; if I was just a teensy bit more emotionally fragile, I think I would have gone there at the first sign of violin. However, next week, we’ll look at a game that DID make me cry… a lot (don’t judge me).
SAD LEVEL: Verklempt
-The Dungeon Dame
-The Dungeon Dame
