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MoonBase Commander

89%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
graphics, monetization
89% User Score Based on 266 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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About

MoonBase Commander is a turn-based strategy game set in a future where Earth's resources are depleted, causing nations to fight over lunar territory. As a commander, your goal is to exploit energy pools, build a powerful empire, and eliminate rival factions using weapons, surveillance, or shields. The game features multiple factions, customizable terrains, and both single-player and LAN multiplayer modes. It's known for its simplicity, engaging gameplay, and sci-fi theme.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
MoonBase Commander screenshot
MoonBase Commander screenshot
MoonBase Commander screenshot
MoonBase Commander screenshot
MoonBase Commander screenshot
MoonBase Commander screenshot
MoonBase Commander screenshot
MoonBase Commander screenshot
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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 266 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
monetization2 negative mentions
  • MoonBase Commander offers a unique blend of strategy and skill-based gameplay, making it easy to learn but challenging to master.
  • The game has nostalgic value for many players, providing a fun and engaging experience reminiscent of childhood gaming.
  • Despite its age, the game runs on modern hardware and includes features like a map editor and skirmish mode, enhancing replayability.
  • The game suffers from significant technical issues, including crashes, lack of resolution options, and compatibility problems with modern systems.
  • There is no online multiplayer support, limiting the ability to play with friends unless using third-party tools for LAN connections.
  • The absence of a tutorial or proper instructions can make the game confusing for new players, leading to a frustrating experience.
  • gameplay
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by a unique blend of strategic, turn-based mechanics and precision aiming, reminiscent of golf games, which adds depth and skill to the experience. While the game features simple mechanics and a small tech tree, it offers a compelling challenge with various tactics and a fast-paced, engaging style. However, some players noted issues such as screen tearing, a lack of tutorials, and a cumbersome interface that can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “This gameplay is complemented by lush visuals and a lot of personality in each faction's design and narration.”
    • “With its retro sci-fi vibe and simple (yet versatile) mechanics, this game is great for a quick round to blow off some steam or a longer campaign to test your strategic prowess.”
    • “The way it blends strategic, turn-based mechanics with the action and precision of the aiming mechanics is really something very unique, and insanely addictive.”
    • “Comes with too many issues for me to recommend; fixed (low) resolution, horrible interface, lack of any sort of instruction/tutorial, and gameplay is slow.”
    • “Weird abstract sort of gameplay - can't even control where you build your base - you have to pick a direction and 'velocity' and launch new base modules and hope they land where you want - there is no feedback - so if you don't get the velocity right, you lost the cost of building and a 'turn' for nothing!”
    • “Assuming you do build where you want - launching attacks is the same direction and velocity mechanic!”
  • graphics
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, with many reviewers noting a lack of resolution options and minimal graphical tweaks. While the visuals may not meet modern standards, they are described as having personality and charm, complementing the gameplay effectively. Overall, the graphics are seen as a nostalgic nod to the past, appealing to those who prioritize fun and gameplay depth over visual fidelity.

    • “This gameplay is complemented by lush visuals and a lot of personality in each faction's design and narration.”
    • “It's got great music, it's graphically pleasing, and most importantly, it's fun to play.”
    • “Don't let the crayola graphics fool you--this is a deep game and a blast to play with friends.”
    • “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
    • “Its unique in regards to the genre and no other game in my recollection has tried something like this, although graphically it aged poorly and the resolution options for current monitors are not available in the game but it's still super fun.”
    • “Yeah, the graphics are nothing special; they looked 10 years old when the game launched 10 years ago.”
  • music
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's music has received high praise for its catchy and diverse soundtrack, featuring around 118 sections that adapt to gameplay, making it engaging and enjoyable. Reviewers noted the nostalgic 80s-90s vibe, with some describing it as "hilariously bad" yet funky and fun, contributing to the overall experience. Overall, the music enhances the game's atmosphere and is considered a standout feature by many players.

    • “Even the game's 14-minute long OST is pretty damn catchy and won't get too annoying because it's divided into about 118 different sections that are played according to what's going on in the game.”
    • “11/10 for me, the extra 1 is for the unique and amazing soundtrack!”
    • “The music is catchy and fits the game, totally kickass and really enjoyable; the sound effects are great and the voices that speak to you help create character for the teams and fit really well together.”
    • “The music is hilariously bad.”
    • “Music: 80-90's game music, quite okay.”
    • “Those who enjoy turn-based RPGs and strategy games are urged to investigate this, but with the caveat that a timer be kept on hand, as Moonbase Commander can alchemize a full day into a blur of confrontations, chronically catchy soundtrack and numerous instances of the word 'crawler' being employed as an expletive.”
  • story
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is described as a tragic tale of development, with a basic premise involving Team Alpha, a group of military heroes on a mission to save the galaxy. However, players note a lack of depth and detail in the narrative, as there is minimal context provided for the missions, which are primarily focused on gameplay rather than storytelling. Overall, the story feels underdeveloped and lacks engagement.

    • “Team Alpha: military guys, the good guys, on a quest to save the galaxy.”
    • “The story behind this game is one of the most tragic game development stories you will ever hear.”
    • “There are no more details of the story; you will not be briefed about the current situation on the field, nothing!”
    • “So, what’s the story of this game?”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from poor optimization, lacking support for modern display resolutions and widescreen monitors, which affects its performance on contemporary gaming PCs. Users have found that adjusting settings through AMD drivers can mitigate some issues, such as screen tearing, but overall, the game has not been updated to run smoothly on modern hardware.

    • “I noticed the tearing stops when you open the AMD drivers, then set all optimization quality options to the highest and enable 'Radeon Chill' (min 30 fps, max 60 fps) and 'Radeon Enhanced Sync'.”
    • “I noticed the tearing stops when you open the AMD drivers, then set all optimization quality options to the highest and enable 'Radeon Chill' with a minimum of 30 fps, maximum of 60 fps, and 'Radeon Enhanced Sync'.”
  • humor
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its intentionally bad music and a sassy, robotic voice that adds a comedic flair, creating an entertaining and groovy atmosphere. Players find the combination of these elements to be consistently amusing.

    • “A sassy, robotic voice is hilarious, and the funky music will always keep you grooving.”
    • “The music is hilariously bad.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy for this game has been criticized as a cash grab, with many users feeling it exploits nostalgia rather than offering genuine value, suggesting it capitalizes on abandonware for profit.

    • “This seems to have been put on Steam as a nostalgia gouge, or just a cash grab to try to profit from abandonware.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report significant stability issues with the Steam version of the game, particularly when alt-tabbing, which causes glitches that render the game unplayable.

    • “My only gripe with the Steam version is that each time I alt-tab out of the game and then alt-tab back in, it glitches, making the game unplayable.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly in mastering the launching mechanic; however, many appreciate that this challenge introduces an additional layer of skill to the gameplay.

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