Gamers who are a fan ofDark SoulsandCastlevaniawould find the gameMoonscarsto be a worthy challenge. The game is a 2D side-scrolling platformer with a non-linear world and features punishing combat that challenges even the most seasoned metroidvania players.Moonscarsis another spectacularly designed indie game, allowing the art, environments, and gameplay to create a one-of-a-kind gory and gothic gameplay experience that stands on its own. One of the coolest aspects of the game is that is influenced by the themes found in famed author H.P. Lovecraft’s work, adding another layer of complexity to the game’s narrative elements.
Moonscarshas a storyline that is incredibly nuanced for a platformer, drawing comparisons tomoody side-scroller games likeBlasphemousorHollow Knight.The game puts players in the shoes of a warrior made out of clay named Grey Irma. Irma is searching for her creator - a being called “The Sculptor” - who she believes will help her recover her memories and understand why she was made in the first place. The warrior’s journey takes players on an epic journey, hearkening back to an era of storytelling involving themes of creation, identity, and tragedy.
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How Lovecraft Influenced Moonscar’s Epically Gothic Narrative
A hallmark ofMoonscarsis that it is able to employ simple and streamlined combat and movement mechanics combined with punishingly difficult gameplay. Akin to critically acclaimed platformer games likeCeleste, the grinding and practice required to succeed ties into the story being told. In a genre of games that pit a solo protagonist against a slew of enemies,Moonscars’narrative has an air of mystery and legacy that feels Lovecraftian in nature. This is due in part to the atmosphere, a cacophony of black and white brushstrokes punctuated by pops of bloody red ichor. The style definitely fits into theLovecraftian preoccupation with visceral textures, populating the game world with spikes, blood splatter, and shadow.
It also must be mentioned that the game’s narrative fits squarely in the pantheon ofLovecraft-influenced video games, pulling in elements from gothic horror and the authors that Lovecraft himself was inspired by. For instance, while the game doesn’t mention the Cthulhu mythos, it features several mighty beings who have shaped the universe and creation. The planets are deific entities inMoonscars,each with agendas and desires that Grey Irma and the other clay-flesh creatures are caught between, forced to reckon with the consequences of their creator’s otherworldly actions. WhileMoonscarsprovides a refreshingly divine take on Lovecraft’s cosmic horror, the horror elements are enduringly influential.
Moonscars Has A Punishingly Lovecraftian Combat System
One of the standout aspects ofMoonscarsis that even the combat feels influenced by cosmic horror and grappling with the odd and unknown. Combat is incredibly punishing,employing “Souls-Like” gameelementsthat can make every encounter feel high-stakes and dynamic. While many H.P. Lovecraft stories involved creatures that couldn’t be fought or defeated, the game does a great job of creating enemies that are chillingly intimidating without sacrificing player enjoyment. For example, certain bosses in the game take up the entire screen, launching attacks from all directions. It goes without saying that the world is devoid of comfort, and combat emphasizes this.
One of the most effective elements ofLovecraftian loreis that it perpetuates a distinct feeling of isolation and fear that the protagonist cannot avoid.Moonscarsisn’t a stealth-based game, requiring head-on combat that can be terrifying because Irma Grey is made of clay and tangling with entities that wish her a painful death. Not to mention that she has been dropped into a brutal arena without knowing why, her memories lost and the illusions of her world shattered, requiring her to re-learn everything. These combat elements fit neatly into cosmic horror, emphasizing a radical shift in the world that makes the protagonist feel terribly insignificant, even as they battle bosses and hordes of enemies.
Moonscarsis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
