Lunaria: Virtualized Moonchild
- August 30, 2024
- VISUAL ARTS/Key
Get on SteamGenius gamer T-Bit rakes in the prize money in VR races day after day. One day, after experiencing a network error mid-race, he ends up in Lunar World, a moon-based server. There, he meets an AI avatar by the name of Lunar-Q. A love story spanning the 384,400 km between the Earth and moon begins!
iPad
iPhone
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Steam Deck
Windows
Android
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- The game features beautiful art and animation, with well-drawn character sprites and stunning backgrounds that enhance the visual experience.
- The emotional storytelling effectively captures the heart-wrenching moments, leading to a satisfying and impactful narrative that resonates with players.
- It offers excellent Steam Deck support, making it accessible for players who prefer handheld gaming, along with a fantastic soundtrack and full Japanese voice acting.
- The story has a slow start, and some players may find it takes too long to become engaging, with the racing aspect feeling less significant to the overall plot.
- The ending leaves several plot points unresolved, which can be frustrating for players looking for a more conclusive conclusion.
- Certain character expressions and phrases, like 'mya' and 'pyon pyon', can come off as cringey and detract from the overall experience.
- story31 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story of "Lunaria" features an engaging progression centered around the main character, Tabito Kamishiro, as he navigates the esports scene and develops emotional connections, particularly with the character lunar-q. While the first half is action-oriented and may take time to fully engage players, the latter half delivers emotional depth and impactful twists, though some reviewers found the ending unsatisfying and questioned unresolved plot points. Overall, the narrative is praised for its unique sci-fi setting and emotional resonance, despite some critiques regarding pacing and writing polish.
“Tabito Kamishiro, our main character for Lunaria's story, is an ambitious underdog in the esports scene for the Cozmo platform, owned by Selene.”
“Immediately, I could tell that this story would be different from Key's previous titles, as it has a sci-fi setting with the story rotating between the real and virtual worlds along with plenty of action and heart-stopping moments.”
“Without going into spoiler territory, all I'll say is that while the first half of the story is action-packed with a bit of slice-of-life and romantic moments, the second half is more emotionally packed that'll have you in tears, as is usually the case when I read Key's visual novels.”
“So, in my opinion, it takes halfway through the story for you to really get into the plot.”
“The story is linear, so there are no choices present. You just play through the story, which contains 10 chapters, from beginning to end.”
“The story in general is okay at first, but it grew on me over the course of the game.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the visual novel is highlighted by its heart-wrenching moments and deep character connections, particularly in the latter half of the story, which contrasts with the action-packed beginning. Players can expect a unique blend of romance and emotional depth, with music and storytelling that enhance the overall experience, making it a worthwhile read for those seeking an emotional journey. However, the pacing may require patience, as the most impactful moments unfold later in the narrative.
“I wanted to run away from reality, so I clung onto you instead. It's an emotional visual novel based on a dystopian future, centered around semi-full dive virtual reality.”
“Without going into spoiler territory, all I'll say is that while the first half of the story is action-packed with a bit of slice-of-life and romantic moments, the second half is more emotionally packed that'll have you in tears, as is usually the case when I read key's visual novels.”
“The story, writing, art, music, and voice acting all sync in perfect harmony that'll take you on an emotional roller coaster.”
- music5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its fantastic variety, featuring both adrenaline-pumping tracks for racing sequences and emotionally resonant pieces for romantic moments. The soundtrack, combined with full Japanese voice acting, enhances the overall experience, creating a harmonious blend that elevates the storytelling and emotional impact.
“Plenty of gorgeous CGs are present along with a varied soundtrack and full Japanese voice acting.”
“In regards to the music, there's a wonderful variety of tracks, ranging from the adrenaline-packed ones that'll leave your heart racing as you're following t-bit (and later, lunar-q) on the racetrack to the slower, more emotionally-packed ones, like the sweet romantic scenes between t-bit and lunar-q or the whole reveal about lunar-q's past.”
“The story, writing, art, music, and voice acting all sync in perfect harmony that'll take you on an emotional roller coaster.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a linear story progression, lacking any choices for players, which may limit the sense of agency and exploration.
“The gameplay is engaging and keeps you on your toes with its fast-paced action.”
“The mechanics are intuitive, making it easy for new players to jump in and enjoy.”
“The variety of challenges and levels adds depth to the gameplay experience.”
“In regards to the gameplay, the story is linear, so there are no choices present.”
“Now that I've gone over the story and gameplay, I'll get down to my thoughts.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their stunning aesthetics, featuring vibrant colors and detailed environments that enhance the overall visual experience. Many users highlight the artistic design as a standout element, contributing to the game's immersive atmosphere. However, some note that performance issues can occasionally detract from the visual quality.
“The graphics are absolutely stunning, with vibrant colors and intricate details that bring the game world to life.”
“Every environment is beautifully crafted, showcasing a level of artistry that makes exploration a visual delight.”
“The character designs are incredibly detailed, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
“The graphics look outdated and lack the detail expected from a modern game.”
“Character models are poorly designed, making it hard to connect with the story.”
“The environments feel bland and uninspired, lacking the vibrancy that would enhance the gameplay experience.”
