Moon Dancer

About

"Moon Dancer" is a vertically scrolling shoot-em-up game with an exhilarating lock-on laser feature, using the NES color palette as an art style. It offers an "arcade mode" with eight stages across three difficulty levels and a 3-minute "caravan mode" for high score competition, both with local and online ranking support. The game emphasizes quick enemy elimination and prioritizes attacking over bullet dodging, accompanied by original music.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

music12 positive mentions

Moon Dancer features a catchy soundtrack and engaging gameplay mechanics, making it accessible for both beginners and veterans.
The lock-on system and chaining mechanics provide a unique and rewarding experience, encouraging players to master their skills for higher scores.
The game is well-designed with charming visuals, frequent checkpoints, and a variety of difficulty modes, ensuring a challenging yet enjoyable experience.

Some players may find the game less accessible than its predecessor, Raging Blasters, due to its added complexity and one-hit death mechanics.
The graphics, while functional, may appear primitive to some, potentially detracting from the overall experience.
There are concerns about the pricing being higher compared to other offerings in the market, which may deter some potential buyers.

music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
21%
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and engaging soundtrack, which complements the fast-paced action and enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's accessibility and replayability, with some even suggesting it rivals other notable titles in the genre. The combination of great music and charming visuals makes it a standout feature, warranting recommendations for fans of shoot 'em up games.
- “A nice simple shooter with a very catchy soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack is always great and matches the pacing of all the action.”
- “This is one of the most accessible STGs I have played in a while, and that alone warrants a recommendation. The addition of an engaging and replayable caravan mode, as well as an amazing OST (perhaps even better than Raging Blasters, especially the first stage theme!), certainly elevates the whole experience and warrants getting the game + OST bundle.”
- “The music is repetitive and quickly becomes annoying, detracting from the overall experience.”
- “While the gameplay is enjoyable, the soundtrack feels uninspired and fails to enhance the atmosphere.”
- “The background music is forgettable and doesn't match the intensity of the action on screen.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The gameplay of "Moon Dancer" is praised for its simple yet engaging mechanics, combining a lock-on system with traditional elements like checkpoints, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned shoot'em up fans. The game features a minimalistic design that enhances its elegance, while the inclusion of various difficulty modes and an online ranking system adds depth and replayability. Overall, it delivers a rewarding experience with a catchy soundtrack and a distinct feel reminiscent of classic titles.
- “Riding hot on the heels of the previous title, Raging Blasters (which I also recommend to try since it's very beginner friendly), Moon Dancer opts for a simpler approach, mixing the lock-on mechanic (with three distinct types of guided laser missiles) of titles like Rayforce but adding a traditional coating to it, including checkpoints, which are a trademark of older era STGs.”
- “With this core mechanics, as well as several difficult modes, an online global ranking, and a beautifully crafted (and engaging!) caravan mode, Moon Dancer is more than a rewarding experience; it is clearly one of the best doujin 'one-man-made' shmups of the year.”
- “Maintains the rapid pace and slick, PC Engine-style presentation of its predecessor Raging Blasters while providing a very distinct feel to the gameplay.”
- “The game in terms of mechanics has a minimalistic approach.”
- “That game mechanic also increases the risk of attacking enemies, as you will have to attack at close range often.”
- “Maintains the rapid pace and slick, PC Engine-style presentation of its predecessor, Raging Blasters, while providing a very distinct feel to the gameplay.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The graphics are described as charming and well-animated, despite having a primitive appearance. They effectively enhance gameplay with excellent bullet visibility, a notable feature of the game's design. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the gaming experience.
- “Great music and charming visuals!”
- “The graphics may look primitive, but they work well because they are well animated and have excellent bullet visibility (a trademark from Terraria).”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a highly accessible design and includes an engaging and replayable caravan mode, which significantly enhances its replayability. Additionally, the outstanding original soundtrack adds to the overall experience, making it a worthwhile purchase.
- “This is one of the most accessible STGs I have played in a while, and that alone warrants a recommendation. The addition of an engaging and replayable caravan mode, as well as an amazing OST (perhaps even better than Raging Blasters, especially the first stage theme!), certainly elevates the whole experience and warrants getting the game + OST bundle.”