Stories of Bethem: Full Moon

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In "Stories of Bethem: Full Moon," explore a vast open world and complete quests to uncover the truth about your missing father. Utilize turn-based combat and magic abilities to defeat enemies and bosses. Discover hidden items, forge relationships, and level up your character in this nostalgic, story-driven RPG.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 58 reviews

graphics5 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic Zelda titles, with engaging puzzles and exploration.
There is a significant amount of content, including numerous dungeons, collectibles, and spells that enhance gameplay.
The charming art style and pleasant soundtrack contribute to an enjoyable atmosphere, making it appealing for fans of retro games.

The game suffers from frustrating mechanics, such as slow mana regeneration and tedious block-pushing puzzles that can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Combat can be unsatisfying due to erratic enemy patterns and a lack of clear feedback on damage dealt, leading to a frustrating experience.
Technical issues, such as limited control customization and a poorly designed map system, detract from the overall enjoyment and accessibility of the game.

graphics
21 mentions
24 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many criticizing the use of outdated pixel art that feels inauthentic and poorly executed, detracting from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the retro aesthetic and find the visuals charming within the context of a 2D action RPG, others lament the lack of resolution options and graphical polish, suggesting a need for improvement in quality and technical execution. Overall, the visuals are seen as simplistic and unrefined, which may appeal to hardcore fans of the genre but disappoint others seeking a more modern graphical experience.
- “Beautiful story, beautiful gameplay, and graphics (for its category).”
- “Pleasing graphics.”
- “It is a very interesting adventure game, graphic style retro and soundtrack very cute!”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “Visually, this is a ham-fisted mess, a dog's breakfast of bad visuals, and this kind of laziness and poor quality should never be foisted on gamers.”
- “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
story
20 mentions
25 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered decent but simplistic, revolving around Khoma's quest to save his father from a curse. While some players appreciate the engaging world-building and humor, others find the plot weak and the character dynamics uncomfortable. Overall, the narrative offers enough content to keep players entertained, though it may not be the game's strongest aspect.
- “All in all, I'm enjoying the story and the ending is quite good; there seems to be room for a sequel too.”
- “It has a nice little story, easy to use controls, and enough content to keep you busy for many hours.”
- “The plot is pretty simplistic; you take the role of Khoma, a boy whose father has been cursed with a sleeping spell by the blue witch.”
- “There's not much plot beyond this, though there are a lot of really creepy scenes where the red witch is blatantly flirting with Khoma; judging from the art on the title screen, it's clear she's getting up there in years, and while Khoma's age is never explicitly stated, he looks to be a teenager, maybe a young adult, and this felt completely unnecessary.”
- “There's a story tacked on, but it's not very good or engrossing.”
gameplay
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is heavily inspired by classic Zelda titles, featuring a mix of combat and puzzle-solving mechanics, but it has been criticized for its lack of originality and depth. While some players appreciate the nostalgic elements and the interesting abilities that enhance exploration, others find the trial-and-error approach and repetitive environments to be frustrating. Overall, it offers a familiar experience for fans of the genre, but may not satisfy those seeking innovation.
- “There are two main components to gameplay: combat and puzzle solving.”
- “The gameplay compares well to old Zelda games like Link to the Past.”
- “The abilities/spells you acquire are interesting; they add new fighting mechanics and unlock new areas for you to explore in both new and already explored maps.”
- “This is basically a ripoff of Legend of Zelda; there's some different mechanics, you control some magician dude instead of Link, but basically it's just a 2D top-down adventure/shooter with little to no value for gamers, a lackluster entry in an obsolete genre.”
- “Stories of Bathymen: Puzzle Fighter Turbo Max 2nd is a game based on everything you never wanted more of in a Legend of Zelda game. You play as a character I don't remember the name of and run around in a world that uses similar sprites and mechanics as The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past to pull on your nostalgia heartstrings.”
- “However, combat mechanics and the actual puzzles and dungeons are a bit so-so.”
music
12 mentions
58 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some find it mostly forgettable with only a few standout tracks, others praise it as relaxing and varied, contributing positively to the overall experience. Many players appreciate the pleasant and catchy soundtrack, which enhances the nostalgic feel of the game. Overall, the music is considered a significant aspect for those who enjoy the adventure and retro style.
- “But if you enjoy puzzles, action RPGs, retro graphics, a pleasant soundtrack, and collectibles, you will probably enjoy this game.”
- “The music is great and sounds relaxing.”
- “Game soundtracks are an important part of enjoying a game for me, and this game's soundtrack really delivered.”
- “The music is mostly forgettable, with the exception of one or two tunes.”
- “The sprite work is a little above GB/GBC with way more colors, but the music is varied and has a few very earwormy pieces.”
- “The soundtrack is very cute, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of funny dialogue and the main character's endearing yet occasionally mean antics, leading to moments of genuine laughter and surprise. Players appreciate the blend of comedic elements with the complexity of gameplay, noting that the game doesn't take itself too seriously, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The main character, although kind-hearted, can be mean at times, which makes it quite funny.”
- “The 'loads of madness' part makes it hilarious and totally worth playing.”
- “I am laughing my head off at certain parts and going 'what the!?' at others.”
grinding
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, primarily due to the limited variety of orbs for combat and the lack of clear indicators for unlocked barriers, resulting in frustrating backtracking. Overall, the game does not feature grindy achievements, but the repetitive nature of certain tasks can detract from the experience.
- “There's really only two main orbs you'll be using to fight most of the time, and trying to figure out which to use against enemies can be tedious.”
- “And then there's the numerous switches that unlock barriers within the dungeons... you'll be told something unlocked, but you have no indication where, often leading to tedious backtracking.”
- “Grindy achievement: no.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that Gamemaker Studio is often associated with the creation of low-effort, retro-style games that are perceived as cash grabs, suggesting a negative view of its monetization practices.
- “Gamemaker Studio is most commonly used to make retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The game offers minimal replayability, primarily limited to pursuing achievements rather than providing varied experiences or content for multiple playthroughs.
- “There is no replay value except for achievements.”
- “The game lacks any meaningful replayability.”
- “Once you finish the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”