MoonBase Commander

Starting at $1.58Buy now

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

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 116 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

stability1 negative mentions

The game retains its nostalgic charm and works well on modern hardware, including Windows 10 and 11.
It features a unique blend of strategy and skill-based mechanics, making it easy to learn but challenging to master.
The inclusion of a map editor and skirmish mode adds replayability, and the game is enjoyable for both single-player and local multiplayer sessions.

The game suffers from technical issues such as screen tearing, resolution limitations, and problems with alt-tabbing, which can disrupt gameplay.
There is a lack of online multiplayer support, requiring players to use third-party tools for online play, which can be cumbersome.
The absence of a tutorial or manual can make it difficult for new players to understand the mechanics, leading to confusion and frustration.

gameplay
28 mentions
18 % positive mentions
79 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique blend of strategic turn-based mechanics and precise aiming, reminiscent of golf games, which adds depth and a fast-paced element to the experience. While some players note issues like screen tearing and a lack of tutorials, the game is praised for its simple yet versatile mechanics, creative unit placement, and engaging tactical options. Overall, it offers a nostalgic and enjoyable experience, appealing to both casual players and those seeking a more strategic challenge.
- “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.”
- “During the game launch, there is already screen tearing in the intro, which continues in the main menu and during gameplay.”
- “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 lose the cost of building and a 'turn' for nothing!”
graphics
13 mentions
15 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as dated, reminiscent of the mid-90s, and lacking modern resolution options, which may detract from the experience for some players. However, many reviewers appreciate the unique art style and personality infused into the visuals, noting that while they may not be cutting-edge, they complement the game's enjoyable mechanics and depth. Overall, the graphics are seen as a secondary concern to the fun gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Graphics are dated, but mechanics are solid.”
music
11 mentions
45 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game's music is widely praised for its catchiness and variety, featuring a 14-minute original soundtrack divided into 118 sections that adapt to gameplay. Reviewers appreciate the nostalgic 80s-90s vibe, with some describing it as both enjoyable and humorously quirky, enhancing the overall gaming experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere.
- “Even the game's 14-minute long OST is pretty 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!”
- “A sassy, robotic voice is hilarious and the funky music will always keep you grooving.”
- “The music is hilariously bad.”
- “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, a chronically catchy soundtrack, and numerous instances of the word 'crawler' being employed as an expletive.”
- “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.”
story
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's story is marked by a tragic development history, while the narrative itself follows Team Alpha, a group of military heroes on a mission to save the galaxy. Players can also engage in challenging mode missions that offer a mix of difficulty levels and objectives.
- “The story behind this game is one of the most tragic game development stories you will ever hear.”
- “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.”
- “In challenge, you will find missions of easy caliber and objectives.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its intentionally bad music and a sassy, robotic voice that adds a comedic touch, creating a fun and groovy atmosphere.
- “The music is hilariously bad.”
- “A sassy, robotic voice is hilarious, and the funky music will always keep you grooving.”
optimization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users have found that optimizing the game through AMD drivers by setting quality options to the highest and enabling features like "Radeon Chill" and "Radeon Enhanced Sync" effectively reduces screen tearing and improves overall performance.
- “I noticed the tearing stops when you open the AMD drivers, 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'.”
- “I noticed the screen tearing stops when I open the AMD drivers, 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'.”
- “The game runs poorly unless you manually tweak the optimization settings, which is frustrating for players who expect a smoother experience out of the box.”
- “Despite having a powerful system, the game struggles with optimization, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
stability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Users have reported significant stability issues with the Steam version of the game, particularly noting that alt-tabbing 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.”
- “The game crashes frequently, which severely impacts the overall experience.”
- “I often experience random freezes that disrupt gameplay and force me to restart.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly in mastering the launching mechanic; however, many appreciate that it introduces an additional layer of skill to the gameplay.