In the bustling genre of deck-building roguelites, originality often feels as distant as the moon itself. However, Feldspar Games’ latest offering, Become The Moon, invites players on a refreshingly creative adventure where you don’t just dream of reaching lunar heights—you aim to literally embody them. This curious mix of deck-building, auto-battling chaos, and rogue-lite unpredictability promises hours of strategic depth wrapped in a quirky premise that begs you to reconsider your approach each time you inevitably crash back to Earth.
The concept of becoming Earth’s favorite satellite is admittedly whimsical, yet the gameplay itself is no joke. With clever synergies, challenging battles, and strategic decisions around every corner, Become The Moon requires careful consideration and constant adaptation. Alibi Games and Feldspar Games have delivered an experience that demands your attention and rewards your cunning.
So, can Become The Moon truly elevate itself above its numerous roguelite competitors, or does it lose orbit and drift aimlessly into mediocrity? Shuffle your cards, summon your minions, and let’s dive deep into this lunar quest.
Ascension by Cardboard Rocket, Setting and Story
Let’s get this out of the way—if you’re expecting an elaborate plot filled with twists, turns, and heart-wrenching narrative beats, Become The Moon might not be the experience you’re after. Its narrative, while charmingly minimalistic, functions more as a whimsical backdrop for the intense gameplay. Your simple yet ambitious goal? To ascend into the heavens, overcoming increasingly absurd and formidable foes who stand between you and your lunar destiny.
Each attempt unfolds as a roguelike journey, filled with peculiar creatures, powerful relics, and thematic nods that give each run personality. Rather than deep lore or verbose storytelling, the narrative subtly reinforces the whimsical absurdity of the quest, keeping the tone light-hearted despite the frequent failures you’ll inevitably endure.
Ultimately, the setting serves to enhance the core gameplay loop. Your journey is framed as a desperate yet hopeful climb towards becoming the celestial body everyone loves to stare at. It’s silly, but it’s delightful and provides just enough context to keep your repeated attempts fresh and enjoyable.
Shuffle, Synergize, Ascend, Gameplay and Mechanics
At its heart, Become The Moon is a beautifully challenging mash-up of auto-battling and deck-building mechanics. Each round sees you carefully drafting new minions, spells, and relics, crafting synergistic combos that could mean the difference between ascending triumphantly or crashing spectacularly. The depth here is impressive, offering near-endless combinations of strategic builds, card interactions, and tactical placements.
During battles, your strategic preparation plays out automatically, putting your carefully crafted deck to the test. The auto-battling system is exciting yet nerve-wracking—you strategically place minions and cast preparatory spells, but once the bell rings, you’re left watching the chaos unfold, praying your plans hold together. It’s a thrilling combination of strategic planning and nail-biting tension.
The mana and health management systems add meaningful depth, making every decision—no matter how minor—potentially critical. Selecting powerful relics to “overclock” your deck is another engaging mechanic, pushing your tactical prowess to its limits. The complexity is perfectly balanced, rewarding thoughtful planning and encouraging experimentation in equal measure.
Overall, Become The Moon offers gameplay mechanics that are satisfyingly complex yet surprisingly approachable, ensuring that each run feels like a fresh puzzle waiting to be solved.
Fly Solo or Challenge the Stars, Multiplayer and Replayability
Currently, Become The Moon lacks traditional multiplayer options, yet its roguelite structure ensures strong replayability. Each run offers unique card drafts, enemy placements, and randomized relics, ensuring that no two ascensions are identical. The thrill of discovering new combinations and strategies is genuinely addictive, making repeat playthroughs both engaging and rewarding.
Leaderboards or challenge modes could further enhance community interaction in future updates, adding a competitive aspect to this already addictive formula. The game’s current replay value is rooted firmly in strategic diversity and unpredictability, offering enough incentives to keep you returning, even after countless crashes back down to terra firma.
Regular content updates and expansions from the developer, Feldspar Games, could further ensure long-term interest, maintaining a fresh feel and adding to the already impressive array of tactical possibilities.
Moonlit Magic, Graphics and Sound
Visually, Become The Moon adopts a charming aesthetic blending whimsical fantasy elements with a touch of cosmic flair. Each minion, relic, and spell card is uniquely illustrated, providing immediate recognition and thematic appeal. The artwork manages to be delightful without overwhelming the UI, making gameplay intuitive and enjoyable.
Battle animations are crisp and entertaining, providing clear visual feedback that makes the automated battles feel dynamic and engaging. The vibrant yet simple design choices perfectly complement the game’s overall tone, ensuring that even defeat is charmingly illustrated.
The sound design enhances the whimsical atmosphere, featuring an eclectic mix of enchanting tunes and satisfying battle effects. Audio cues clearly signal important events during gameplay, while the music maintains a pleasant rhythm that complements the gameplay experience without overwhelming it.
Together, the graphics and sound effectively create a cohesive, immersive, and pleasing atmosphere, providing the perfect backdrop to your repeated attempts at lunar glory.
Final Orbit, Final Thoughts
Become The Moon proves itself a delightful and addictive addition to the crowded roguelite deck-building genre. Feldspar Games has carefully crafted an experience that offers deep strategic gameplay, charming visuals, and addictive replayability. While the minimalist narrative may not satisfy those craving epic stories, the whimsical premise and polished mechanics are more than sufficient to maintain engagement.
Its depth and accessibility make it an excellent pick for both seasoned roguelite veterans and newcomers alike. Each run provides endless opportunities for experimentation, strategic thinking, and genuine enjoyment, making it easy to overlook its minor shortcomings.
If you’ve ever dreamed of rising to the cosmic challenge or simply enjoy compelling deck-building gameplay, Become The Moon deserves your attention. Just remember—failure isn’t just an option, it’s part of the fun.
We prepared this review with a digital copy of Become The Moon for the PC version provided by Evolve PR.
