To The Moon
Description
"To the Moon is a game you must play. Those four hours pack a real punch, inviting you to consider just how a single event can change your destiny. For now, you should take control of your own destiny and play To the Moon. You'll be glad you did." - Gamespot.com
"The convincing banter between the two doctors, the tale of John's carer and her relationship with her children, the stories of friends and families and how they intersect along the passage of life... To the Moon takes the details of human life in its stride, and delivers them with a breezy effortlessness." - Eurogamer.net
Dr. Eva Rosalene and Dr. Neil Watts have rather peculiar jobs:
They give people another chance to live. Literally.
There exists a technology that allows doctors to weave artificial memories, such that a patient can request attempts to alter their mind, and wake up with memories of things that didn't actually happen.
However, since these new memories are permanent, the conflict between them and the existing authentic memories clash in such a way that it ceases the person's ability to properly function.
Thus, the operation is only done to people on their deathbeds, to fulfill what they wish they had done with their lives. . . but didn't.
The technology requires the doctors to step into the memories of the patient, which are reconstructed as interactive scenes. The doctors then gradually traverse backwards through memories of the patient's life until they reach childhood -- at which point, the wish of the patient in present time would be transferred over.
Along with the doctors' influence, the patient (as a child) could then lead an entire different life inside their head, working toward and fulfilling their dying wish themselves.
And if all goes well, they would wake up, having lived the dream life they never had, and embrace a brief moment of blissful fulfillment.
Shortly after, they'd draw their last breath.
This particular story follows Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts' attempt to fulfill the dream of the dying elderly man, Johnny. In their mission to do so, they traverse backwards through the man’s memories, unfolding his curious life story before their eyes.
With each step back in time, a new fragment of Johnny's past is revealed. And as the two doctors piece together the puzzled events that spanned a life time, they seek to find out just why the frail old man chose his dying wish to be what it is.
And Johnny's last wish is, of course. . . to go to the moon.
Customer reviews
100
The best game I have ever played
Laudes | May 4, 2013 | See all Laudes's reviews »To be honest, this is the best game I have ever played. The gameplay may not be all that good, since there is not much gameplay to the game. And the gameplay that is actually there, is lame and quite boring. It is extremely obvious they added that "gameplay" just to make the game become more of a game then a interactive movie. The most interaction you will have is walking around. This is not a downside for me, I love the game the way it is, and I wouldn't change it even a tiny bit, it's perfect.
The soundtrack, oh God the soundtrack! It's the best game soundtrack ever created! I love it, I actually listen to the soundtrack on youtube sometimes, long after I've played the game out. Without this amazing music, I don't know what this game would be.
I could relate to the characters in the game, I could see myself being John, the main character. The game is so emotionally moving for me, I cried tons when playing the game, and I did it all in one 4-hour long play, non stop. I couldn't stop and leave the story waiting. I'm extremely excited to see the follow up game(s) come soon from them!
86
Rocket Ride of Emotions
Joeru | April 25, 2013 | See all Joeru's reviews »It is hard to think a game like this could elicit the emotions response that it does. The story will make you smile, laugh and cry all the while purveying a beautiful narrative. The game itself is very story driven with some RPG and Adventure elements, nothing too complex but that's not what this game is all about.
The sound track is amazing and the art style bring me back to my youth. If you enjoy a rocket ride of emotions packed into an engaging story then this title is for you.
98
Beyond the moon
SpartanTwo | April 22, 2013 | See all SpartanTwo's reviews »Brilliant, moving, and heart-wrenching, To the Moon is one of those games that simply has to be played; not because it has great gameplay or sharp graphics, but because it does an incredible job of telling a beautiful and mature story so rarely seen in most other video games. Its mechanics are simple puzzles, and most of it is in the style of a point-and-click adventure game. It's the only game I've ever played that actually brought tears to my eyes. It is proof that, yes, video games are a storytelling medium, and when done right, they can have just as much impact and emotional resonance as a novel or a film. Play To the Moon if you haven't already.
95
Excellent game!
fable2 | March 17, 2013 | See all fable2's reviews »It was just by chance that I saw this game and gave it a try, and believe me it was well worth the investment. I have never experienced a video game of with this caliber of story telling since Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. With that said the game is very basic where there is really nothing complicated or confusing about it which allowed me to follow the whole story from start to end. The 16-bit sprites seem to have been the best fit for this game as I could not see this game using 3D polygons and what not. This is a very charming game that I would love seen made into an anime or live action movie. This game will tug on your heartstrings all the way through.
85
An emotional journey
MarkDeejay | March 16, 2013 | See all MarkDeejay's reviews »To The Moon is an emotional journey, one that I haven't really ever experienced in games. It's a game with RPG Maker graphics so it looks simple, but its strength lies in its storytelling. The way the story is told is done in a way that will keep you (mostly) interested during the entire experience. While it lasts only 4 hours or so, there's very little gameplay involved (there's even a somewhat frustrating part near the end). Even though the game lacks in the graphics department, it makes up for it by its amazing soundtrack. I enjoyed it so much that I even bought it seperately afterwards. Keep an open mind, ignore the graphics and just enjoy the ride. A must own !