64
MONSTER
Moons of Madness throws the player into a unique, first person, psychological horror game, combining Lovecraft influence with hard sci-fi.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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65
Moons of Madness dazzles with atmospheric Lovecraftian horror and psychological tension but falters under derivative tropes, fragmented storytelling, and uneven pacing, leaving its ambitious themes stranded between brilliance and missed potential.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
65
Positive Reviews (80-100)
12%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
71%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
18%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Moons of Madness dazzles with atmospheric Lovecraftian horror and psychological tension but falters under derivative tropes, fragmented storytelling, and uneven pacing, leaving its ambitious themes stranded between brilliance and missed potential.
Gameplay Mechanics
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60
Moons of Madness nails clever puzzles and atmospheric survival but crumbles under repetitive chores, clunky mechanics, and a rigid design that kills tension, leaving its horror ambitions stranded in a "walking simulator" rut.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
60
Positive Reviews (80-100)
3%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
76%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
21%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Moons of Madness nails clever puzzles and atmospheric survival but crumbles under repetitive chores, clunky mechanics, and a rigid design that kills tension, leaving its horror ambitions stranded in a "walking simulator" rut.
Graphics and Visual Design
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75
Moons of Madness dazzles with atmospheric Mars vistas and Lovecraftian horror, but technical hiccups and a monotonous palette undermine its visual impact.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
75
Positive Reviews (80-100)
40%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
60%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Moons of Madness dazzles with atmospheric Mars vistas and Lovecraftian horror, but technical hiccups and a monotonous palette undermine its visual impact.
Music and Sound Design
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74
Critics praise Moons of Madness's sound design for its immersive, tense atmosphere, with low hums, ambient noise, and strategic silence amplifying horror, but the musical score is called unremarkable, average, or lacking originality, leaving some aspects feel generic despite strong audio cues.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
74
Positive Reviews (80-100)
27%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
73%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Critics praise Moons of Madness's sound design for its immersive, tense atmosphere, with low hums, ambient noise, and strategic silence amplifying horror, but the musical score is called unremarkable, average, or lacking originality, leaving some aspects feel generic despite strong audio cues.
Voice Acting
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66
Voice acting in Moons of Madness is a mixed bag: praised for realism, atmospheric immersion, and strong performances that elevate its horror tone, but undermined by inconsistency, uneven delivery, repetitive voices, and awkward tonal shifts. While some critics highlight its success in creating believable characters and Lovecraftian dread, others call out forgettable lines, lackluster execution, and jarring vocal quirks that break immersion. The result is a polarizing yet pivotal element of the game’s experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
66
Positive Reviews (80-100)
21%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
71%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
7%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Voice acting in Moons of Madness is a mixed bag: praised for realism, atmospheric immersion, and strong performances that elevate its horror tone, but undermined by inconsistency, uneven delivery, repetitive voices, and awkward tonal shifts. While some critics highlight its success in creating believable characters and Lovecraftian dread, others call out forgettable lines, lackluster execution, and jarring vocal quirks that break immersion. The result is a polarizing yet pivotal element of the game’s experience.
Technical Performance
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60
Moons of Madness stumbles through technical chaos across all platforms—frame drops, glitches, and awkward controls plague its horror core, though PS4 and PC see fleeting moments of stability. A broken experience marred by inconsistency, with polish nowhere in sight.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
60
Positive Reviews (80-100)
13%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
67%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
20%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Moons of Madness stumbles through technical chaos across all platforms—frame drops, glitches, and awkward controls plague its horror core, though PS4 and PC see fleeting moments of stability. A broken experience marred by inconsistency, with polish nowhere in sight.
Replay Value
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42
Critical consensus: Moons of Madness is a forgettable, repetitive experience with shockingly low replay value due to its short 5-8 hour runtime, tedious gameplay, and lack of post-game content or innovation—despite minor perks like two endings or environmental appreciation, these are overshadowed by its glaring flaws.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
42
Positive Reviews (80-100)
0%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
20%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
80%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Critical consensus: Moons of Madness is a forgettable, repetitive experience with shockingly low replay value due to its short 5-8 hour runtime, tedious gameplay, and lack of post-game content or innovation—despite minor perks like two endings or environmental appreciation, these are overshadowed by its glaring flaws.
Overall Verdict
64
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
64
Positive Reviews (80-100)
19%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
76%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
4%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Moons of Madness delivers a haunting atmosphere and Lovecraftian dread, praised for its cosmic horror immersion and narrative depth, but falters under repetitive mechanics, technical glitches, and a disjointed story that leans too heavily on tropes, leaving it polarizing between fans of atmospheric tension and those craving refined gameplay.
64
MONSTER
Reviews
90 reviews found90
The Digital Fix
Apr 2, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Moons of Madness is praised as a standout horror experience, comparable to Outlast 2. It excels in creating tension through isolation, effective scares, and a unique blend of survival mechanics with Lovecraftian themes. The review recommends it for fans seeking a serious scare.
85
Xbox Tavern
Apr 6, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is described as a solid, well-made horror experience that successfully captures the feel of a sci-fi movie. It combines a strong story, atmospheric visuals, and engaging gameplay to deliver a memorable horror journey, recommended for fans of the genre.
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80
XBLA Fans
Apr 30, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Highly recommended for fans of horror and sci-fi, praised for its atmosphere, puzzles, and unique blend of Lovecraftian themes. The game is short but well-crafted, though some mechanics may frustrate players.
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80
GameSpew
Oct 25, 2019
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A chilling blend of horror and sci-fi that effectively uses atmosphere, storytelling, and puzzle-solving. While it has minor flaws like an obtuse puzzle and a lengthy runtime, it successfully captures the spirit of Lovecraftian terror without overtly referencing its tropes.
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80
Adventure Gamers
Nov 8, 2019
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Moons of Madness delivers a satisfying experience with strong production values, atmospheric storytelling, and a unique Lovecraftian horror twist. While not a traditional survival horror game, it excels in building tension and offers an engaging, if short, journey through cosmic dread.
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80
Wccftech
Oct 29, 2019
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Moons of Madness is praised as a well-crafted, varied Lovecraftian experience with a unique tone and intense set pieces. While not as dark as some competitors, it delivers a satisfying conclusion and is recommended for fans of the genre, despite its flaws.
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75
Multiplayer.it
Mar 24, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Moons of Madness is a Lovecraftian horror experience that succeeds in atmosphere and porting quality but falls short in replayability and originality. It appeals to fans of psychological horror and exploration but is limited by its brevity and lack of post-game content.
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70
Critical Hit
Oct 29, 2019
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is a solid genre effort with strong atmospheric elements and Lovecraftian inspiration, but it falls short of creating deep emotional engagement. It is recommended for fans of the horror genre despite its flaws and offers around 9-10 hours of playtime.
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70
DarkStation
Oct 31, 2019
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game offers a unique blend of Lovecraftian horror, puzzle-solving, and exploration, appealing to fans of the genre. However, its pacing issues and lack of replayability may limit its broader appeal, making it a suitable but not exceptional Halloween experience.
70
MGG
Nov 3, 2019
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Moons of Madness succeeds in creating an effective atmosphere of isolation and tension through its sound design and narrative, but it falls short in offering true scares, freedom, or technical polish. It is a decent puzzle-driven experience with some unique elements but lacks the depth to be truly memorable.
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