Moon (2009 video game)

{{Infobox video game | title = Moon | image = Moon Cover Art.PNG | developer = Renegade Kid | publisher = {{vgrelease|NA|Mastiff<ref>{{cite web |title=Moon |url=https://www.ign.com/games/moon |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=November 3, 2019}}</ref>|EU|Gamebridge}} | engine = Renegade Engine<ref name="Moon Preview">{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |title=Pre-E3 2008: Moon Hands-on |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/02/pre-e3-2008-moon-hands-on |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=July 2, 2008 |accessdate=December 16, 2016}}</ref> | released = {{vgrelease|NA|January 13, 2009<ref name="Delay">{{cite web |last=Hatfield |first=Daemon |title=Moon Delayed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/10/moon-delayed |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=November 10, 2008 |accessdate=December 16, 2016 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221184734/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/10/moon-delayed |url-status=live }}</ref>|EU|June 3, 2009<ref name="Renegade Kid" />}} | genre = First-person shooter | modes = Single-player | platforms = Nintendo DS | director = Jools Watsham | producer = Jools Watsham | artist = Gregg Hargrove }} '''''Moon''''' is a 2009 first-person shooter video game developed by Renegade Kid for the Nintendo DS.<ref name="Inside Moon">{{cite web |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |title=Inside Moon |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/09/inside-moon |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=April 9, 2008 |accessdate=December 16, 2016}}</ref> It was originally released in North America on January 13, 2009 by Mastiff and in Europe on June 3, 2009 by Gamebridge.<ref name="Renegade Kid" /><ref name="Delay" /><ref name="IGN Hands-On">{{cite web |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |date=August 8, 2008 |title=Hands-On Moon |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/08/hands-on-moon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221184908/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/08/hands-on-moon |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |accessdate=December 16, 2016 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref> An episodic remake and expansion titled '''''Moon Chronicles''''' was released by Renegade Kid for the Nintendo 3DS in 2014.

==Gameplay== thumb|left|Gameplay and controls in ''Moon'' ''Moon'' features first-person shooter gameplay and full 3D environments that the player can explore. Over the course of the game, the player can collect a variety of weapons to fight enemies. The game has three difficulty modes and is presented in multiple episodes with checkpoints scattered throughout each one. The upper screen of the DS displays the player's view of the environment, while the lower screen displays menu commands and a real-time map.<ref name="Inside Moon" /> The game's story will be revealed as the player progresses through each level with pre-rendered cutscenes, text logs accessible through computer terminals, and communications with the player character's superiors. Much of the fighting the player experiences takes place in narrow corridors, although the developer has mentioned that the updated game engine allows for wide-open environments and large groups of enemies. The game does not feature any multiplayer mode, with the focus of the game being the single-player campaign.<ref name="Moon Preview"/>

While the gameplay is mostly action-oriented, several puzzles are included to challenge the player. Some of these puzzles involve the player taking control of a small robotic drone to travel through vents and tunnels to unlock doors. The drone is armed with a stun gun that can temporarily incapacitate enemies, as well as deactivate shields that block the player's progress throughout the game.

During gameplay, the player can accumulate a maximum of seven different weapons, not including the drone. Weapons can be selected using the touch screen, and gameplay is automatically paused during weapon selection. Aiming is also accomplished on the touch screen, with movement assigned to the D-pad or buttons, depending on the player's settings.<ref name="IGN Hands-On" />

==Plot== In ''Moon'', the year is 2058 and the United States has established a series of stations on the Moon to perform scientific experiments and construct a Mars launch facility. An extraordinary discovery has been uncovered at one of the dig sites, a sealed hatch leading beneath the Moon's surface. The player assumes the role of Major Kane, the leader of a special task force sent to investigate the mysterious hatch and reveal its secrets.<ref name="Renegade Kid">{{cite web |title=Moon |url=http://www.renegadekid.com/moon.htm |website=Renegade Kid |access-date=April 11, 2008 |archive-date=April 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419082941/http://www.renegadekid.com/moon.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Inside Moon" />

The player controls Major Kane, who is en route to a Moon base, where several mysterious hatches are uncovered. Upon Arrival, Kane has a brief conference with General Lambert. Alpha Team's helmet feed is seen on the secondary Monitors, when a burst of energy knocks out communications, and kills the members of Alpha team. En route to the hatch, Kane comes across a mysterious canister filled with a blue liquid, which he unknowingly inhales, and loses consciousness. Hours later, Kane awakens to find his vitals the same as a world class athlete. Kane proceeds to the hatch, and finds crates of canisters identical to the one he found, earlier. After Kane destroys the boss, the core is set to self-destruct. Kane escapes in the nick of time, only to find the Moon base overrun with sentries. Kane then secures the garage, and heads to the next hatch, via a Moon rover, referred to as the Lola-RR10. in this next hatch, he finds the shocking truth about the canisters: they contain human organ extracts. Disgusted, he leaves, only to be abducted by a spaceship. Kane then must fight his way off, destroying the ship in the process. A mysterious frequency is found, apparently friendly, helps Kane navigate through the maze of a lab. Kane then gets access to a shuttle, which takes him to an urbanized Saturn. Kane then fights his way to the supreme commander, which levels the aliens' civilization. The game ends with Kane warping back to Earth, followed by three enemy spaceships.

==Development== Since ''Moon'' utilizes an updated version of the Renegade Engine included in Renegade Kid's previous game, ''Dementium: The Ward'', the game features a frame rate of 60 frames per second and high-quality 3D visuals, along with stylus-based controls.<ref name="Moon Preview" /> Renegade Kid has focused on "high-action gameplay challenges" to test the player's skills; these challenges include varying the placement of enemies in the game and providing them with unexpected behaviors. The exploration aspects of the game were designed to "reward" a player with access to new areas among other things.<ref name="IGN Hands-On" />

A jump mechanic was considered for the game, but was ultimately never implemented in order to focus on shooting gameplay. According to the developer, this "would have divided our gameplay focus in order to present the player with interesting ways of utilizing the jump so it didn't feel like an afterthought and may have diluted the overall experience. Focusing on one thing and trying to make it good is usually the best thing to do rather than do many things only to an OK quality."<ref name="IGN Hands-On" />

In January 2014, Mastiff sold Renegade Kid complete ownership of the title, including publishing rights, leading to the development of its sequel.<ref name="NLcitesRKgettingMoonback2">{{cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=January 15, 2014 |title=Renegade Kids Regains Publication Rights to Moon |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/01/renegade_kids_regains_publication_rights_to_moon |accessdate=January 23, 2014 |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = 71/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |title=Moon Critic Reviews for DS |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/moon-2009/ |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=November 3, 2019}}</ref> | Destruct = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=North |first=Dale |title=Destructoid review: Moon |url=https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-moon-118777.phtml |website=Destructoid |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |date=January 21, 2009 |accessdate=December 16, 2016}}</ref> | EuroG = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Pearson |first=Dan |title=Moon |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/moon-review |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |date=July 21, 2009 |accessdate=December 16, 2016}}</ref> | GamePro = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Moore |first=Raychul |title=Moon |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/208555/moon/ |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |date=January 13, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119132109/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/208555/moon/ |archivedate=January 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |accessdate=December 16, 2016}}</ref> | GameRev = B<ref>{{cite web |last=Schaller |first=Kevin |title=Moon Review |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/44445-moon-review |website=Game Revolution |publisher=CraveOnline |date=September 1, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001123801/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/moon |archivedate=October 1, 2015 |url-status=live |accessdate=November 3, 2019}}</ref> | GSpot = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Watters |first=Chris |title=Moon Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/moon-review/1900-6203471/ |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=January 21, 2009 |accessdate=December 16, 2016 |archive-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103222953/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/moon-review/1900-6203471/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | GameZone = 7.3/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Nicksarlian |first=Greg |title=Moon - NDS - Review |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/moon_nds_review |website=GameZone |date=January 18, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120190248/http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r34952.htm |archivedate=January 20, 2009 |url-status=live |accessdate=December 16, 2016}}</ref> | IGN = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Bozon |first=Mark |title=Moon Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/09/moon-review |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=January 9, 2009 |accessdate=December 16, 2016 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221184413/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/09/moon-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | NP = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Moon |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Future US |volume=236 |date=December 25, 2008 |page=84}}</ref> | NWR = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Zachary |title=Moon |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/17607/moon-nintendo-ds |website=Nintendo World Report |publisher=NINWR, LLC |date=January 26, 2009 |accessdate=December 16, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220184115/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/17607/moon-nintendo-ds |url-status=live }}</ref> | VG = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Orry |first=Tom |title=Moon Review |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/moon-review |website=VideoGamer.com |publisher=Resero Network |date=August 17, 2009 |accessdate=December 16, 2016}}</ref> | rev1 = ''The A.V. Club'' | rev1Score = A−<ref>{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Samantha |title=Moon |url=https://www.avclub.com/moon-1798215522 |website=The A.V. Club |publisher=The Onion |date=January 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121001319/http://www.avclub.com/articles/moon,22825/ |archive-date=January 21, 2009 |url-status=live |access-date=November 3, 2019}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Teletext GameCentral'' | rev2Score = 4/10<ref name="MC" /> }}

''Moon'' received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.<ref name="MC" /> ''Nintendo Life'' praised the game's graphics, frame rate and detail of the level design but said the game lacked variety.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-07-11 |title=Review: Moon (DS) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/07/moon_ds |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=March 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318120545/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/07/moon_ds |url-status=live }}</ref> Another review voiced disappointment at the lack of multiplayer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=James |date=2009-01-28 |title=Moon (DS) Review |url=https://www.vooks.net/moon/ |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=Vooks |language=en-AU |archive-date=March 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318120546/https://www.vooks.net/moon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{clear}}

==Remake== {{Infobox video game |title = Moon Chronicles |collapsible = yes |state = collapsed |developer = Renegade Kid |publisher = Renegade Kid |released = ''Season 1''<br />'''Episode 1'''{{vgrelease|NA|May 15, 2014}}'''Episode 2-4'''{{vgrelease|NA|February 5, 2015}} |genre = First-person shooter |modes = Single-player |platforms = Nintendo 3DS }}

On January 24, 2014, Renegade Kid unveiled ''Moon Chronicles'' for the Nintendo 3DS. It was an episodic remake of ''Moon'', set to expand the story even further. The base game was released as ''Moon Chronicles: Episode 1: One Small Step'' for $8.99 on the Nintendo eShop on May 15, 2014 in North America only.<ref>{{cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |title=Moon Chronicles Lands on the 3DS eShop in North America on 15th May |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/05/moon_chronicles_lands_on_the_3ds_eshop_in_north_america_on_15th_may |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |date=May 9, 2014 |accessdate=May 9, 2014 |archive-date=May 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511103336/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/05/moon_chronicles_lands_on_the_3ds_eshop_in_north_america_on_15th_may |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Episode 2'', ''Episode 3'', and ''Episode 4'' have been released as DLC for $4.50 each on the eShop, or $9.00 for all three. ''Episode 1'', ''2'', ''3'', and ''4'' make up the first Season of ''Moon Chronicles'' episodes. They also make up the actual remade content from the original ''Moon''. The game was never released in Europe.

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== *{{official website|http://www.renegadekid.com/moon.htm}} *{{moby game|id=/nintendo-ds/moon}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moon (Video Game)}} Category:2009 video games Category:Episodic video games Category:Fiction set in 2058 Category:First-person shooters Category:Mastiff (company) games Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games Category:Nintendo 3DS games Category:Nintendo DS games Category:Renegade Kid games Category:Science fiction video games Category:Single-player video games Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Video games set in the 2050s Category:Video games set on the Moon