To the Moon
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PSN, Switch, iOS, Android
Developer: Freebird Games
Publisher: Freebird Games
Genre: Adventure / Narrative Driven
Prep: N/A
Pre-Game: by Filbert
I have always believed the less you know about a great narrative the better. I half jokingly but half seriously say there should be a law that movie trailers can’t show footage past the first 15 minutes. Being on that journey of discovery through a great narrative is satisfying, and nearly always enhanced when you don't have any breadcrumbs to follow. That said, this is the Pre-Game and I have to talk about the game. Though I am going to do my best to make sure if this game is a first time experience you just know the setup.
To the Moon is considered an adventure game and was made within RPG Maker XP. Though I do always tell people it is much more of an experience and narrative than a game. There isn’t any battle system or inventory management. The only gameplay mechanics come in exploration and puzzle solving. What carries this game and experience in the narrative.
Which in my humble opinion might be one of, if not the strongest narrative I came across in a video game.
The setup of the game is you are playing as two scientists who work for a company that offers an end of life service. People who hire this service can have a wish fulfilled prior to their death. When that individual is on their deathbed in a comatose state, they will be hooked up to a machine. Which carries out their wish by creating artificial memories. The last thing the patient does before they die is live out what they requested.
For this to happen though the scientist need to meet the patient prior to their death to learn about them and their past. They are able to do so by journeying through the memories of the individual. This must be done so their final wish can be fulfilled. They are not able to just forcibly implement a wish, it must fit into the individual's personality, experiences, and history.
Now, we start off the story of this game. You arrive at your latest client's house. An old man who only has a couple days left. His final wish is to go to the moon. Though he doesn’t even know why, only that he wants to. The scientist this seems strange. Most wishes someone asks for they clearly know why they want to experience it. A huge football fan might want to win the Superbowl, or someone into aviation might want to become a fighter pilot. That is all I will say for the plot. I hope you will enjoy the story as much as I did. It is a fairly short experience, a game that can be completed in 3 or 4 hours.
When it comes to playing the game it balances between the themes of romanticism and realism in the literary scene. I do think it is helpful to keep these both in mind as you play the game. As well for the discussion at the end of the month.
Conclusion
If it isn’t clear by now I think To the Moon is a masterfully told story. I honestly find it less of a game and more of an experience. I do think you being a player does add a certain amount of agency you can never get with a book, movie, or show. Though it is a narrative I think would be a fantastic adaptation into a movie or mini series.
If you have heard me talk about games enough. I have almost certainly asked “Have you played To the Moon?” which more often than not the response is “No what game is that”, and I follow up with “Go play it!”.
A big reason why I want to participate in EXP Monthly is to shed light on games or experiences like this. Now, hop into your death bed, get tucked in, and strap in for a journey to the moon.
