Tower Behind the Moon
- December 20, 2018
- Choice of Games
Get on Steam"Tower Behind the Moon" is a 400,000-word interactive epic fantasy novel by Kyle Marquis. As a powerful magician seeking immortality, you must prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime celestial conjunction while protecting your tower from enemies. Your choices determine your path to transcendence or annihilation among angels and demons. The game is text-based and relies on your imagination.
Reviews
- The game features a richly crafted world with detailed lore and a compelling narrative that enhances the role-playing experience.
- It offers great replay value with multiple paths and endings, allowing players to explore different character choices and outcomes.
- The unique concept of playing as an archmage striving for godhood provides a fresh perspective on the fantasy genre.
- The game suffers from unclear mechanics and opaque choices, making it difficult for players to understand how to progress effectively.
- Many players feel that the narrative railroads them, leading to frustrating experiences where choices seem to have little impact on the outcome.
- Character development is often criticized for being one-dimensional, and some relationships feel forced or poorly executed, detracting from immersion.
- story18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story is a mixed bag, with some players praising its epic themes and strong character development, while others criticize it for feeling rushed and disconnected, particularly in the latter parts. Many appreciate the depth and intrigue of the characters and the beautifully crafted setting, but some feel that the interactive elements detract from the overall narrative experience. Overall, while the story has its strengths, it also suffers from inconsistencies and a lack of cohesion.
“A short but sweet story about the risk of becoming a god.”
“The characters were intriguing and there was so much depth hidden within the story for you to explore.”
“The story's tone is excellent, and it strikes a perfect balance of gravity and levity to keep things engaging.”
“But roughly in the last third of the game, everything felt disconnected, stats changed randomly and the descriptions of progress and relationships did not reflect what was actually happening in the story.”
“This has to be Kyle Marquis' weakest story so far.”
“I still think that that isn't enough to make up for all of the flaws that would go away if this wasn't trying to be an interactive story.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is marked by a mix of intriguing mechanics, such as transcendence and skill checks, which can lead to a rewarding experience when mastered. However, players express frustration over harsh penalties for earlier choices and a lack of clarity in essential gameplay elements, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these flaws, the game remains engaging for hardcore gamers and fantasy enthusiasts.
“The game introduces some interesting mechanics such as transcendence, which require planning and forethought to utilize fully, but when used properly can bring you towards new heights, and make you feel very accomplished when you do so.”
“I've played other cog games that had stories that weren't as incredible as this, but at least the actual gameplay was solid enough that I didn't feel like a horrible failure incapable of doing right for most of the game.”
“While it has some gameplay flaws, it's a fun and fresh read, especially for hardcore gamers and long-time fantasy fans.”
“Don't get me wrong, I don't like power fantasies as much as the next guy, and it could serve the narrative that everyone else is fed up with these 'maggot gods' and that you're in a brutal struggle to ascend in spite of your aptitude. However, punishing the player so harshly for a choice they made an hour ago in a game where your only recourse is to throw away all your progress this chapter (or even playthrough) to start over, and where the crucial stats required to make informed decisions are locked behind a separate screen you have to halt gameplay just to look at, is a poor design choice.”
“I've played other games with stories that weren't as incredible as this, but at least the actual gameplay was solid enough that I didn't feel like a horrible failure incapable of doing right for most of the game.”
“I eventually figured it out (you basically gain ascension progress by passing skill checks), but this is a core gameplay mechanic that should have been better explained.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to its multiple paths and endings, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes.
“The game has great replay value due to the many different paths and endings.”
“Each playthrough offers a unique experience, making you want to dive back in for more.”
“With multiple choices and outcomes, the game encourages you to explore every possibility.”
