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
- Beautiful continuation of the To the Moon series, filled with nostalgia and emotional depth.
- The game effectively ties up loose ends from previous entries, providing a satisfying conclusion.
- The writing and character interactions are heartfelt and humorous, making for an engaging experience.
- The game is shorter than previous entries, which may leave some players wanting more.
- Heavily relies on knowledge of previous games, making it less accessible for newcomers.
- Some mini-games feel less enjoyable and can detract from the overall experience.
- story209 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of this game is a bittersweet continuation of the "To the Moon" series, heavily relying on nostalgia and previous character arcs, making it essential for players to have experienced earlier titles for full emotional impact. While it offers a heartfelt narrative that ties up loose ends, some reviewers feel it lacks depth compared to its predecessors and leaves certain plot points unresolved. Overall, it is praised for its emotional storytelling and beautiful presentation, though opinions vary on its effectiveness as a standalone experience.
“This game has a beautiful story with bittersweet feels.”
“The story is beautiful and engaging, and the soundtrack is really nice too ;)”
“Thank you for making this amazing story - young or old, your stories and music have always resonated with all of us, and we appreciate every moment of it.”
“The ending just left a lot more to be desired considering how big of a plot point they revealed at the end of the game, which seems to indicate that the 'To the Moon' series is coming to an end.”
“This game feels like the weakest of the series so far; to be really involved in it, it would be necessary to have played all previous games, as the plot heavily revolves around Sigmund Corp.”
“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.'”
- emotional158 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 connection to the characters, often resulting in tears throughout the experience. While some found the narrative predictable, the heartfelt writing and character development resonated deeply, making it a must-play for fans of the series. Overall, it serves as a bittersweet and poignant conclusion to the beloved "To the Moon" saga, leaving players both emotionally wrecked and fulfilled.
“Another emotionally devastating edition to Freebird's To the Moon series that helps explain a lot of the subplots from the previous games - must play but only if you've already played through To the Moon, Finding Paradise, and Impostor Factory.”
“I have never experienced such strong emotional pain before over a game; this was absolutely heartbreaking and I will be thinking about this for a while.”
“Freebird games are masters of emotional storytelling; this is true for all of their games and it continues here.”
- music44 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been universally praised for its emotional depth and quality, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to enhance storytelling and evoke nostalgia. The soundtrack features a mix of new compositions and beloved remixes from previous entries, maintaining a high standard that resonates with players. Overall, the music is described as beautiful and integral to the game's experience, making it a standout aspect that fans cherish.
“The experience of seeing all the familiar characters again, hearing the music and eventually witnessing the end is beyond what my words can describe.”
“Genuinely lovely game, simultaneously bittersweet and comedic story, and amazing soundtrack by Kan Gao, as expected from the series by now.”
“The music is perfect; the whole concept is perfect. I can't express how much I love these games and how much they mean to me.”
“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.”
“The music was... really something, but I won't say why as to not spoil anything.”
- humor28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its ability to blend laughter with deeper emotional moments, creating a rich tapestry of funny and heartwarming interactions among beloved characters. Reviewers highlight the clever writing and character dynamics, particularly in the "beach episode," which delivers both comedic relief and poignant storytelling. Overall, the humor is described as both entertaining and profound, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact.
“If you liked the To the Moon saga, this is just another incredible installment, filled with funny and deep emotional moments.”
“It's funny, the characters are hilarious, their chemistry is on-point, it's another great entry in an award-winning series.”
“Funny and profound, as always.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay has evolved from previous titles in the series, incorporating more interactive elements and a variety of mini-games, although opinions on their enjoyment vary. While some players appreciate the increased interactivity and improved mechanics, others feel that the core gameplay remains simplistic and not the main draw of the experience. Overall, it is seen as a step up from prior entries, with better animations and a more engaging environment, despite some lingering control issues.
“Gameplay-wise, it felt like finally the team understood that these games are not completely visual novels and some interaction is actually nice.”
“So, from a pure gameplay standpoint, it's the best of the series.”
“Even with some mini games to pump up the gameplay time, they are not very fun for me.”
“In a game like this with minimal gameplay, I expect the story to really grab my emotions, and that just didn't happen.”
“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.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics in the latest installment have seen significant improvements, showcasing beautifully animated sprites and a masterfully crafted world that enhances immersion. Players appreciate the blend of familiar visuals, music, and engaging interactions, highlighting the growth of the series since its inception. Overall, the graphics are well-received, contributing positively to the overall experience.
“Graphics and effects have remarkably improved since the last series.”
“Allow yourself to be immersed in the world that has been masterfully created and brought to life through visuals, music, and story.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Music, graphics, and technical stuff:”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Beach Episode" is characterized by a cheerful and fun vibe that subtly hints at underlying sinister elements, creating a compelling contrast. Reviewers emphasize the game's strong atmospheric qualities, likening it to its predecessors, which are praised for their music, storytelling, and thematic depth. Overall, the game successfully immerses players in a rich and engaging environment.
“The beach episode spends at least the first two-thirds indulging in a cheerful, somewhat fun atmosphere, while also hinting at something more sinister.”
“If you're reading this and haven't played the previous three games, go do that first. They're all affordable (especially during sales) and are amazing in their music, atmosphere, storytelling, and handling of the topics they tackle. I genuinely recommend them to anyone who can run the game, which can even run on a toaster, to be fair; the old RPG Maker engine is awesome, and this game is no less than the others.”
“The beach episode spends at least the first two-thirds indulging in a cheery, somewhat fun atmosphere, but also hints at something more sinister.”
- 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 boring.”
