Moons of Madness Reviews
Thoughtful survival-based mechanics paired with some deeply unsettling Lovecraftian horror make Moons of Madness a must-have for fans of scary video games.
Do you enjoy slower-paced, puzzle-driven horror games? Does the phrase “Lovecraftian horror on Mars” get your attention? If either or both of these is true, Moons of Madness is a horror game you shouldn’t miss.
Moons of Madness perfectly balanced the various gameplay mechanics to create a creepy, cryptic exploration-adventure horror game. The audio and visual quality helps immerse you within the dark fantastical world the developers have created, making you feel like you’re all alone, isolated from everyone around you other than the nightmares which live within your head. The story is engaging, the scares will make you jump, and the puzzles are fun to solve, what more could you want from a Lovecraft-themed horror game set on Mars?
Moons of Madness is the best of the recent rash of Lovecraft games. It isn't as dark or atmospheric as some of its macabre competitors, but it's well-crafted, nicely varied, and builds to a satisfying, pulse-pounding crescendo. If you don't mind your Lovecraft with a touch of Michael Bay, don't hesitate to blast off for the Moons of Madness.
Moons of Madness may be light on scares, but the great use of its setting and very strong storytelling make for a compelling narrative-driven experience.
Inconsistent voice acting aside, Moons of Madness nails the eldritch ambiance and unmitigated madness that its Lovecraftian influence deserves.
Moons of Madness is a wonderfully chilling outing that blends horror and sci-fi to excellent effect, delivering a palpable sense of dread. Most pleasingly, it channels the spirit of H.P. Lovecraft without yelling “CTHULHU!” in your ear every five minutes.
Good cosmic horror mix of Lovecraft, and The Secret World universe on Mars.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
I must say I enjoyed Moons of Madness quite a bit and I thought the length time of 6-8 hours was decent for the price. It wasn’t that scary to be honest, and there were times where the game would try and scare you with something, but I didn’t have my view on whatever it was, so would often miss these things. I only realised this when I watched someone else play through the game. The interactions between characters on the radio is really well done, keeps the story interesting and progressive throughout. Moons of Madness was very easy to play, with no real combat and with just the puzzles that really took a little time to complete, but I liked it a lot. My favourite part was the eerie atmosphere of Mars, always fascinates me what could be out their beyond our planet, and to have a little experience of what that could be in game form, it scares me more. As your character Shane at one point during the game says, “Mars sucks”….yes, yes it does Shane. I am awarding Moons of Madness the Thumb Culture Gold Award!
It won’t revolutionise either the horror or walking simulator genre, but it’s a strong entry nonetheless.
Moons of Madness is a solid cosmic horror that knows how to tell a compelling story and promote well designed puzzles.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Moons of Madness manages to balance the stylistic elements of the walking simulator with some different game mechanics and its puzzles. Rock Pocket Games has handled the available Lovecraftian material as it should, setting up an adventure that can easily walk alone with dignity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It may not be as good a cosmic horror as you expect it be but as a space adventure it's quite something.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Moons of Madness, as an adventure game, as a walking simulator and as a thriller Sci Fy is a fabulous game that you will enjoy from start to finish. As a horror game it is quite weak and mediocre. Too bad it's been touted as a game where you'll feel the horror of space. But it is curious that failing in this they have made a quite interesting game in another way. Graphically and soundly this game is not wasted. Most of the time you are amazed at the quality of details that it has in terms of visuals and sound.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Well-made adventure that strives to be more than just average walking simulator.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Though Moons of Madness isn’t the first game to do so and it likely won’t be the last, it’s a survival horror experience that succeeding in giving a grown man nightmares, which is something a zombie game just can’t do.
Moons of Madness is a welcome addition to the wider Lovecraftian catalogue, and its cosmic aspects really get to the heart of the mythos' insanity. While there are annoying moments when the developers see fit to include some of the worst excesses of modern horror games, the quality of the writing and the atmosphere is enough to justify seeing things through to a conclusion that is as epic as it is satisfying. This is one trip to insanity that you shouldn't pass up.
An unsettling and beautiful experience, with a pace that's just too slow. If you can get past the walls of text and all too familiar puzzles though, Moons of Madness is good for a few scares.
Moons of Madness plays more like a cinematic experience than an actual game. Its immersion visually is sublime, and though objects are intuitively interactive, the story lacks the emotional pull needed to match the tone and mood set forth. You will undoubtedly feel as if you are on an alien planet, but that's it. The imbalance of story, gameplay, and interactivity with the enemy becomes apparent the more you play. And with much of the story being told through accessing terminals and listening to banter dialogue, I often felt as if I was no longer interested in what was occurring around me.