Moonscars

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Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 13

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The MetaMeter requires a minimum of 15 professional critic reviews before issuing an official MetaMeter Score and Recommendation.

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 13

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 13

The MetaMeter requires a minimum of 15 professional critic reviews before issuing an official MetaMeter Score and Recommendation.

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Critic Reviews for Moonscars

Critic Reviews

Score Distribution

13

Reviews

Average Score

100

Ranges

4/5 stars

Shane Robert Moyer (Game Rant)

The gorgeous pixel art and dark themes within Moonscars help make it an enjoyable action-platformer by new developer Black Mermaid.

September 27, 2022 |

Full Review

Moonscars has a lot of promising ideas. Unfortunately, the threadbare plot, questionable level design, and odd execution of mechanics hold it back.

September 27, 2022 |

Full Review

6/10

Jason Rodriguez (PC Invasion)

9.5/10

Tommy Holloway (PlayStation Universe)

Moonscars is a standout example of what a 2D souls-like should be. From its beautifully atmospheric world, exceptional animations, to its fluid and gratifying combat, makes Moonscars an absolute pleasure to play. A best in class 2D souls-like.

September 27, 2022 |

Full Review

Shane Robert Moyer (Game Rant)

4/5 stars - (Read Review)

The gorgeous pixel art and dark themes within Moonscars help make it an enjoyable action-platformer by new developer Black Mermaid.

Jason Rodriguez (PC Invasion)

6/10 - (Read Review)

Moonscars has a lot of promising ideas. Unfortunately, the threadbare plot, questionable level design, and odd execution of mechanics hold it back.

Tommy Holloway (PlayStation Universe)

9.5/10 - (Read Review)

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Read the Reviews (13 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
But Why Tho?	Mick Abrahamson	6 / 10	09-27-2022	Moonscars is a deep, dark tale about what makes us human in our darkest times and how we persevere. When it works, it really works and was some of the most fun I had playing 2-D souls-like in recent memory. But it is riddled with balancing issues and loses touch on what makes Souls-likes fun in the name of difficulty.	Read review
Checkpoint Gaming	Tom Quirk	7.5 / 10	09-29-2022	Despite taking clear inspiration from other prominent Soulslike and Metroidvania titles, Moonscars does enough with its unique art direction and gameplay features to stand out from an increasingly populated crowd. Although its lore and plot could have stood to be more clearly communicated, and not all of its additional mechanics feel as enjoyable as the core combat and exploration, Moonscars’ visceral gameplay and gorgeous visuals make it worthwhile to check out for Soulslike fans seeking a new challenge.	Read review
COGconnected	Mark Steighner	82 / 100	09-27-2022	Moonscars is a beautiful, grimdark homage to the Soulsborne genre, with engaging art and challenging action. Not everything is well explained, and both the game’s narrative and mechanics can feel unnecessarily opaque. It takes some time and effort to master Moonscars’ combat and systems, but the effort is worth the reward. It can be punishing, but only rarely feels unfair, and it’s one of those games that will probably compel you to keep inching forward.	Read review
FingerGuns	Joshua Thompson	6 / 10	09-27-2022	With better game design choices and no hard crashes – Moonscars would be a great addition to the 2D Soulstroidvania genre. It’s hard to enjoy the bleak aesthetics and the rich lore of the world when the game doesn’t let you finish it however. The combat is fresh yet familiar but every mechanic outside of that isn’t really needed. But this may be one to perserve with, if you need that Souls itch scratched.	Read review
Game Rant	Shane Robert Moyer	4 / 5 stars	09-27-2022	The gorgeous pixel art and dark themes within Moonscars help make it an enjoyable action-platformer by new developer Black Mermaid.	Read review
GameSpew	Richard Seagrave	7 / 10	09-28-2022	Whether you’re into challenging Soulslikes or sprawling Metroidvanias, there’s a lot to like about Moonscars. Its atmosphere is thick thanks to its moody visuals and soundtrack, while its moment-to-moment gameplay is utterly engrossing once it has its hooks in you. If you’re up to the task and can accept that the experience won’t always feel fair, this is a game well worth sinking some time into.	Read review
God is a Geek	Mick Fraser	7 / 10	09-27-2022	Moonscars is an intentionally bleak adventure in an unforgiving world, but players who seek a genuine challenge will certainly find it here.	Read review
NoobFeed	Justin Van Huyssteen	70 / 100	09-27-2022	If you are interested in a tough soulslike game where you do, very gradually, become stronger, a soulslike where you really don’t want to be hit because you’ll be pummeled within seconds, and that healing ability also makes you weaker! Then Moonscars is a game for you. It’s tough, it’s bleak, but don’t expect it to be nice to you.	Read review
PC Invasion	Jason Rodriguez	6 / 10	09-27-2022	Moonscars has a lot of promising ideas. Unfortunately, the threadbare plot, questionable level design, and odd execution of mechanics hold it back.	Read review
PlayStation Universe	Tommy Holloway	9.5 / 10	09-27-2022	Moonscars is a standout example of what a 2D souls-like should be. From its beautifully atmospheric world, exceptional animations, to its fluid and gratifying combat, makes Moonscars an absolute pleasure to play. A best in class 2D souls-like.	Read review
Screen Rant	Scott Baird	4 / 5 stars	09-27-2022	Moonscars is an amalgamation of different ideas merged into one 2D Soulslike package, and while a few feel undercooked, the rest manage to tie everything together into an excellent action-RPG experience. The gorgeous visuals are also worth experiencing, as it’s rare to see a gameplay pull off an art style as well as Moonscars. The dark world of the clayborne is a fascinating and deadly one, and like its clay protagonist, the player only gets stronger as each death reshapes them.	Read review
The Escapist	Sebastian Ruiz	Recommended	09-28-2022	Video Review	Read review
WellPlayed	James Wood	7.5 / 10	09-28-2022	Moonscars brings a deeply satisfying core combat loop and exciting art direction to the Soulslike genre, even if it has some teething issues with its overlapping systems and narrative.	Read review

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About Moonscars

Game Description / Storyline:

Push the limits of your combat skills, and master new abilities to progress through an unforgiving nonlinear 2D world. Face off against the relentless darkness that seeks to destroy you. In Moonscars, every death is a lesson learnt—and as you overcome each challenge, new truths will be revealed.

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