Just a To the Moon Series Beach Episode
- September 20, 2024
- Freebird Games
- 2h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Just a To the Moon Series Beach Episode," the SigCorp crew enjoys a company-paid vacation at the Golden Lobster Hotel & Resort for one day. Familiar characters from the series engage in mini-games and relaxation, while uncovering mysteries. Despite their presumed deaths, they interact in a narrative adventure featuring Platplat the platypus, Rudog, Long-cat, and Ricebot. This beach episode combines adventure game elements with classic RPG aesthetics and humorous dialogues.
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Reviews
- The game delivers an emotional and heartfelt conclusion to the To the Moon series, tying up loose ends and providing closure for beloved characters.
- The writing is masterful, blending humor, nostalgia, and profound themes of grief and acceptance, making players reflect on their own lives.
- The game features beautiful visuals and a touching soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience and evoking strong emotions.
- The game is relatively short, lasting only about 2-3 hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- Some players felt that the reliance on previous games for context made it less accessible for newcomers to the series.
- A few mini-games were criticized for their clunky controls, detracting from the overall gameplay experience.
- story270 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story in this game is a poignant continuation of the beloved "To the Moon" series, weaving together emotional themes and character arcs that resonate deeply with fans. While it features lighthearted moments and humor, the narrative ultimately delivers a bittersweet conclusion that ties up long-standing plot points, making it essential for players to have experienced the previous installments for full appreciation. Despite some critiques regarding predictability and pacing, the storytelling remains impactful, showcasing Freebird Games' mastery in evoking strong emotions through its narrative and music.
“The game is filled with delightful moments, surprising mini-games, brilliant humor, and a heartwarming story.”
“This is a necessary next step in the story, not just a silly side mission.”
“The story is beautiful and engaging, and the soundtrack is really nice too.”
“I found the story to be predictable.”
“This game ending just feels like saying 'we didn't really want to end this story or to give you a happy ending because these games must have a sad ending, so screw you for following the saga for so long.'”
“The story of this game is ok to say the least but this is the weakest of the series by far and to me, is the only one where the price does not match the playtime of 2.2 hours as of writing this review.”
- emotional187 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly impactful, with many players reporting intense feelings of sadness and joy, often leading to tears. The narrative weaves together humor, heartwarming moments, and profound themes, creating a deeply immersive experience that resonates with fans of the series. While some found this installment slightly predictable, it still delivers the emotional depth and connection that the "To the Moon" series is renowned for, leaving players feeling both devastated and fulfilled.
“Throughout the journey, we are gently guided through emotional highs and lows, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the creator’s message.”
“The way all the games seamlessly connected to each other to lead up to this moment where we got to reunite with past characters was emotional in more ways than one.”
“Freebird games are masters of emotional storytelling; this is true for all of their games and it continues here.”
- music53 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its emotional depth and ability to evoke strong reactions, often enhancing the storytelling experience. While some reviewers note that the music hasn't significantly changed over time, they still appreciate the familiar and touching melodies that resonate with the game's narrative. Overall, the soundtrack is regarded as beautiful and integral to the game's charm, with many fans expressing a deep connection to the music and its role in their gaming experience.
“The experience of seeing all the familiar characters again, hearing the music and eventually witnessing the end is beyond what my words can describe.”
“From the beautiful writing to the lovely art and music, everything comes together in perfect harmony.”
“Genuinely lovely game, simultaneously bittersweet and comedic story, and amazing soundtrack by Kan Gao, as expected from the series by now.”
“If there's anything negative to say, it's that the music hasn't changed much in quite a while.”
“The music is not on par with Imposter Factory, but rather with the first entries, meaning it's good enough.”
“As it is a shorter game than the main three, there is less new music, but previous soundtracks and more reprisals are included given that previous characters make their appearances in this game.”
- humor34 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its delightful blend of funny and heartwarming moments, often juxtaposed with deeper emotional themes. Players appreciate the witty character interactions and the clever incorporation of humor into both lighthearted and serious situations, making for a rich storytelling experience that elicits laughter and tears alike. Overall, the game maintains the series' signature charm, delivering a mix of comedy, nostalgia, and emotional depth that resonates with fans.
“The game is filled with delightful moments, surprising mini-games, brilliant humor, and a heartwarming story.”
“Set against a playful beach backdrop, it combines humor, nostalgic character moments, and the series' signature emotional depth.”
“It's funny, the characters are hilarious, their chemistry is on-point, it's another great entry in an award-winning series.”
- gameplay26 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this title is generally simple and linear, focusing more on exploration and character movement rather than complex mechanics. While some players appreciate the inclusion of mini-games and improved animations, many agree that the primary draw remains the impactful storytelling rather than the gameplay itself. Overall, it represents a step up from previous entries in the series, offering a bit more interaction while still prioritizing narrative.
“Its short, impactful narrative showcases Freebird Games' talent for blending simple gameplay with powerful storytelling.”
“Gone are the days of the typical orb-fetch quests gameplay that most To the Moon players are accustomed to, but instead, we get a diverse range of minigames ranging from water skiing Flappy Bird to literal Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit, and finally Jet Ski Smash Bros as part of the core gameplay in this game.”
“Awesome storytelling, improved gameplay, many more animations, multiple endings, and continues (and probably ends) the series in a perfect way.”
“Gameplay wise... well, there's not much.”
“In a game like this with minimal gameplay, I expect the story to really grab my emotions, and that just didn't happen.”
“As for the gameplay, it's pretty simple.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have seen significant improvement, showcasing beautifully animated sprites and a minimalistic yet aesthetically pleasing style that enhances the overall experience. While some may prefer a 3D art style, the pixel art charm effectively conveys emotion and immerses players in the world. Overall, the visuals are complemented by engaging music and storytelling, creating a cohesive and captivating atmosphere.
“The graphics are a treat -- so many beautifully animated sprites for small moments which show how Freebird Games has grown since the original To the Moon in 2011.”
“Allow yourself to be immersed in the world that has been masterfully created and brought to life through visuals, music, and story.”
“All of the usuals that I expect from these games were there - the simple graphics, music, dialogue, weirdness, all of it.”
“The graphics are better, if not good.”
“Although it may be a turn off for those who prefer to play games in a 3D art style, I feel like the pixel style has its own charm.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its comforting yet profound storytelling, blending cheerful elements with underlying sinister hints. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke deep emotions and recommend experiencing the previous titles for their equally impressive music and atmosphere. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immersive and impactful, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
“Never cease to amaze me... the atmosphere, the story, feels really comforting. Lots of deep meaning in the story. 10/10”
“The beach episode spends at least the first two-thirds indulging in a cheery, sort of fun (but also hinting at something more sinister) atmosphere.”
“If you're reading this and haven't played the former three games, go do that first. They're all cheap (especially during sales) and are all amazing in their music, atmosphere, storytelling, and handling of the topics they tackle. I genuinely would recommend them to anyone who can run the game (which they can run on a toaster, to be fair; the old RPG Maker engine is awesome), and this game is no less than the others.”
“The atmosphere feels really comforting, with lots of deep meaning in the story.”
“The beach episode spends at least the first two-thirds indulging in a cheery, sort of fun atmosphere, but also hints at something more sinister.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report experiencing occasional technical glitches that disrupt gameplay, indicating underlying issues with stability. These glitches suggest that the game may not function smoothly at all times, detracting from the overall experience.
“There are occasional technical glitches, and that's when you know that something weird is going on.”
“Once you notice the occasional technical glitches, you realize that there's something wrong and that this is no ordinary vacation.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, citing the inclusion of multiple choices that unlock new story elements, as well as engaging minigames. The combination of a great soundtrack and enhanced animations further encourages players to revisit the game for a fresh experience.
“First, I want to say, good job to the team for making yet another high-quality game. The soundtrack is great, featuring returning music such as the fan favorite 'For River.' This time, there are even more high-quality animations, CGs, and choices to make throughout the game that unlock new elements of the story, along with replayable minigames.”
“The game offers a wealth of choices that significantly impact the storyline, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore all possible outcomes.”
“With its diverse character paths and unlockable content, this game keeps you coming back for more, ensuring that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, though it is not considered a dealbreaker for the overall experience.
“It's not a dealbreaker by any means, but it does become tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and often detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which quickly became monotonous.”
