The Mooseman

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 238 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
The Mooseman Game Cover
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"The Mooseman" is a atmospheric 2D adventure game where players take on the role of the Mooseman, a mythological character from the Finno-Ugric culture. Explore different layers of the universe, use magical abilities to interact with the environment, and uncover ancient legends and lost stories. Immerse in the unique visual style and sound design, inspired by Perm animal style art.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 238 reviews
story49 positive mentions
grinding7 negative mentions
  • The Mooseman features stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The game provides an interesting exploration of Komi-Permian mythology, offering players a unique cultural experience.
  • The simple gameplay mechanics and casual puzzles make it accessible for players who enjoy narrative-driven experiences.
  • The game is quite short, typically taking around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, often reducing to a 'walking simulator' with minimal interaction.
  • Some puzzles can be frustratingly vague or poorly designed, leading to confusion and a reliance on external guides.
  • story116 mentions

    The game's story is deeply rooted in Finno-Ugric mythology, offering players an immersive experience through beautifully crafted visuals and atmospheric music. While some players found the narrative engaging and unique, others felt it lacked depth and clarity, often presenting a convoluted or vague storyline. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its artistic presentation, though it may not resonate with everyone, particularly those unfamiliar with the cultural context.

    • “The story is interesting and a good way to fill time during this quarantine.”
    • “A beautifully animated story driven by some fairly straightforward puzzle elements.”
    • “The story itself is refreshing, not only because of its low-key shamanic hero, but because it gives players a very well-researched and immersive glimpse into lesser-known ancient religious beliefs.”
    • “The story is not that interesting – you've not much connection to the player character and myths are always a tad too absurd/figurative to be immersive.”
    • “The story of the game is told mostly through lore-collectibles that unlock somewhat poorly written text (at least in the English translation) that's accessed through plain-looking menus, and through text cutscenes; the main story is actually told in the lore-collectibles before you reach it in the actual story progression, which takes away the value of the narrative of the game, since you already know it by the time you reach it.”
    • “Mooseman is a plodding 2D 'platformer' which is mostly story driven, but with no real story, or action for that matter.”
  • music106 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, often described as beautiful, haunting, and perfectly complementing the visuals and storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the use of folk music and choral arrangements that enhance the game's mythological themes, creating a captivating experience that resonates emotionally. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's artistic and narrative elements.

    • “The music, the art, the atmosphere it created was incredible.”
    • “The mooseman is a short, atmospheric game with haunting music and beautiful visuals.”
    • “Absolutely beautiful game, stellar atmosphere through the splendid art and soundtrack.”
    • “There is something positive to be said about the theme, music, and some of the visuals, but it’s not enough for a 'proper' game that has a price tag on it.”
    • “Music usually loops, but not all pieces seem to be engineered to do so.”
    • “I do appreciate the artworks and music, but it is such a bore if you are not into ancient histories.”
  • graphics98 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning, hand-drawn art style that beautifully complements the mythological themes and atmospheric storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the unique aesthetic, often likening it to historical artifacts and other artistic inspirations, while the accompanying soundtrack enhances the overall experience. However, some players note that while the visuals are captivating, the gameplay can feel slow and repetitive, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The art style is amazing, the game has a mythical atmosphere and I absolutely love it!”
    • “Beautiful graphics which look like they're drawn with pencil or chalk.”
    • “The game features unique graphics and sound based on the real historical heritage, and its atmosphere brings the myth to life and lets you feel and experience it.”
    • “The visuals seem okay at first, but quickly get repetitive and uninspired.”
    • “This may have special significance for Russian gamers, but since I'm not Russian, I can't recommend this; it's barely a game, and the graphics, artwork, and 'story' aren't notable enough to warrant any awards for 'games as art instead of games.'”
    • “Pretty aesthetic, but I'm sorry to say that is all it has.”
  • gameplay83 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as simplistic and often tedious, primarily revolving around walking and solving very easy puzzles, which some reviewers liken to a walking simulator. While the art direction and music are praised for enhancing the experience, many players find the lack of engaging mechanics and the short duration of gameplay (around 1.5 to 2 hours) disappointing. Overall, the game is more appreciated for its narrative and atmospheric elements rather than its gameplay depth or challenge.

    • “The gameplay is fun but challenging, and will want you to continue on until the game is done.”
    • “Beautiful imagery coupled with simple gameplay make this an extremely enjoyable experience.”
    • “The game’s central gameplay mechanic revolves around the transmutation between the living and the ethereal planes of existence.”
    • “I paid 8 USD for what ended up being only 2 hours of gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is essentially a walking simulator.”
    • “The gameplay is the poorer aspect, given how simple it really is (and the animations are very crude, too).”
  • atmosphere56 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning art style, haunting music, and immersive mythic elements, creating a unique and enchanting experience. Many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of exploration and connection to ancient myths, despite some criticism regarding gameplay mechanics. Overall, the atmospheric design is considered a standout feature, making it a captivating journey for those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences.

    • “The atmosphere was so realistic that I felt as if I were the real shaman traveling through three worlds.”
    • “Absolutely beautiful game, stellar atmosphere through the splendid art and soundtrack.”
    • “The atmosphere was so realistic that I felt as if I was the real shaman traveling through three worlds.”
    • “This game has a dark, mystic, shamanic atmosphere with a touching soundtrack as you go walking and discovering more about the mythology.”
    • “Where the Mooseman shines is in atmosphere; it has flashes of brilliance in this regard, and the sound design and spoken-word segments are wonderful.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Overall, the grinding aspect of the game is characterized by tedious and repetitive gameplay, with limited mechanics leading to frustrating puzzles and slow navigation. While some players find the puzzles manageable, many agree that the experience is marred by aggravating elements and a lack of engaging variety. Collectibles also contribute to the monotony, as they often require backtracking to find hidden items.

    • “Very limited gameplay mechanics result in tedious, repetitive puzzles and a lot of slow walking between them.”
    • “They occasionally try some mechanics to 'mix things up', but these are more aggravating and tedious than anything.”
    • “There are 'puzzles' that are more tedious than puzzling, there are action- and stealth-lite bits that are absolutely atrocious and the weird choice to make historic artifacts collectibles (despite them being a very vital part of the whole experience), only means that in 90% of all screens you need to go left first, to find a 'hidden' collectible immediately off the screen.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replayability, with many users noting its short length and lack of substantial content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While some collectibles offer a slight incentive to revisit, the primary appeal lies in experiencing the art and sound rather than engaging gameplay.

    • “Mooseman comes at a fair price point, is short but mostly pretty well put together and by way of collectibles offers some replayability.”
    • “Small game, not really any replay value apart from experiencing the art and sound again.”
    • “Rather short and with no replay value.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players find the game emotionally resonant, highlighting its dark, mystic atmosphere and touching soundtrack that enhance the exploration of mythology. The experience evokes deep feelings and a sense of freedom, prompting players to reflect on their emotional states and the profound themes presented.

  • stability2 mentions

    The stability of the game "The Mooseman" has been criticized for being buggy and unfinished, with specific issues noted during gameplay, such as problems in the big fish segment. Overall, users feel that the game's technical shortcomings detract significantly from the experience, likening it to an amateur project.

    • “Unfortunately, this game is buggy, unfinished, and amateurish – it feels like a student project.”
    • “But if we judge the game portion of The Mooseman, it's not very well done; the big fish part was buggy on my side and made it very painful to complete.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is perceived as ironic, with players finding amusement in the idea of refunding a game they haven't even played for long. This suggests a self-aware or meta-humor that resonates with some users.

    • “The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch; I found myself laughing out loud at the clever dialogue and hilarious situations.”
    • “I love how the game uses absurdity to create funny moments that catch you off guard.”
    • “The witty banter between characters adds a delightful layer of humor that keeps the gameplay entertaining.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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