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Genre: PvP turn-based strategy
Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Publisher: KRAFTON, Inc
Release Date: September 29th, 2022
Edited by AlexKnight2005
Moonbreaker is a turn strategy-based game with a heavy tabletop-style format and feel. Those familiar with miniatures in a tabletop setting will quickly adjust to the game. Moonbreaker goes further into the style by matching the style of play closer to the tabletop than a 3D video game. It could be seen in the same sense that online card games do. Adding more music, sounds, and flair to a setting we are familiar with in real life. The In-game store feels more like a “pay more money to unlock quickly” and not a pay-to-win format. Recently they removed a feature that felt more “pay to play” compared to other modes, showing more promise and ensuring the game never turns into the sort where you are forced to pay to play modes.
The gameplay of Moonbreaker will feel natural to those that have played any sort of tabletop game with miniatures. Those unfamiliar will quickly learn in the form of a well-done tutorial. The goal of the game is to defeat the other team’s captain. These play and are akin to a hero or main character that is always on the field for your side. Each turn, you gain points to spawn more units for your side and another set of abilities that work on a cooldown-like function. Units spawn in a wide area around your main guy. The goal is to take out the other’s main guy while not losing your own, and the games are pretty quick and fast. The maps feel a good size not to feel too far away from the enemy. They give enough room with obstacles to get closer or engage the enemy. Each turn, you have a range on the attacks with a range to move the units. This is akin to tabletop settings that use a ruler to measure the distance for attacks. There are game modes for fighting A.I. and players with more of a focus on competing against other players.
The U.I. does a great job on basic details if you are moving a piece that will be in range to be attacked in any way by the enemy’s units. The types of units in each faction seem to work well to support the main hero of your side. The U.I. does a great job showing melee range on those around, friend or foe. Any range attacks will show the chance to hit if obstacles are blocking or hiding the target in any way.
The style of Moonbreaker is a key part of the game. You get a tabletop-style strategy game that is meant to play competitively against other players. Voices for the units can sometimes feel less serious and unfitting, but the look is spot on for it. A mix of cool but cartoon vibe to it. Unlocking the units can be done quickly. The coolest feature Moonbreaker gives the player is being able to paint their own units. Once you unlock the unit, you can create your own “skins” in the game by freely painting the figurines to your wants and designs. I’m not very good at something like this, but a friend of mine did look at the system and found it pretty solid. It isn’t meant for a quick painting, and it is made for careful coloring and quality. The effects and movements of the units feel more tabletop with flair than trying to make it not tabletop-like. There is care and respect in the style they are aiming for. The sounds and personality of the units can feel hit or miss, but they are trying to make the smaller units not feel like faceless minions.
The current feel of the early access feels just too little at the time. There are too few heroes and units for long-time play, with most being able to unlock most very quickly. Along with maps, there just seems to be very little. The best part is the few things currently in the game feel balanced, stable, and working with no bugs. It could be a worthwhile game if they steadily add more and more over time.
Overall, Moonbreaker shows great promise with a nice, stable, and great concept. Many will feel it is too little at the time, but I can only see it going up from here. Normally with early access games, I feel it may be unstable, imbalanced or the version isn’t fully there. I’m comforted that this one has fully finished assets, just need to add more assets over time. Those looking for more of a tabletop game and love miniatures will need to take a look at this one. Those not into that sort of stuff may find it odd to get into.
Pros:
- Great Tabletop Feel
- Very Stable and Bug-free
- Great Promise for future Additions
Cons:
- Voices on Units Can Feel Odd
- Very Little Content In-game At The Time
