Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Oct 5, 2022
    74
    Moonscars is a video game that knows what kind of atmosphere it wants to create, how to create it and how to dance on those notes from the first to the last minute of play. The combat system is simple but satisfying and, although it needed more attention from a technical point of view and the story does everything to keep the player away (at least in the first hours), the adventure manages to entertain from start to finish.
  2. Dec 24, 2022
    70
    Black Mermaid understood the ideas that made the 2D Soulslike genre successful and added new mechanics that reflect its own identity. If it didn't have flaws like story being too messy and combat having balance issues, it could have made its mark among the best examples of the genre.
  3. Nov 30, 2022
    70
    Moonscars is a good debut by Black Mermaid with some unique ideas and missed potential. The gameplay is fun and engaging but some mechanics feel a little unbalanced and in some cases can even forget about them and still finish the game. The story is well written, especially the dialogues but the lore and character building lacks enough depth to feel close to them. Overall the story and art style of the game is forgettable and this made the sound editing and music of the game lose their power and therefore feel shallow.
  4. Nov 20, 2022
    70
    Moonscars lacks the depth you would want from an Metroidvania title in its exploration and character building, but manages to deliver as a hardcore Soulsborne game.
  5. 70
    Whilst it’s certainly interesting, it remains largely incoherent. Subsequent playthroughs, which are mandatory to experience all the game has to offer, don’t really clear up any of the confusion either. Still, Moonscars does offer something worth playing. If you’re in the market for a new Metroidvania or Souls-like game, then I’d recommend giving this one a shot.
  6. Sep 27, 2022
    70
    Moonscars is an intentionally bleak adventure in an unforgiving world, but players who seek a genuine challenge will certainly find it here.
  7. Oct 5, 2022
    65
    If you've played any other Metroidvania game, you can easily pass this one up. It means well, and Grey Irma is a beast, but with a convoluted story and characters you will never care about, dying over and over is probably the best part of the game. Beautiful game. Questionable story. "Every death makes you stronger." goes the tagline. I question where the strength actually goes. Slash, slash, dodge.
  8. Sep 28, 2022
    60
    Moonscars has a lot of promising ideas. Unfortunately, the threadbare plot, questionable level design, and odd execution of mechanics hold it back.
  9. Sep 27, 2022
    60
    Moonscars is a deep, dark tale about what makes us human in our darkest times and how we persevere. When it works, it really works and was some of the most fun I had playing 2-D souls-like in recent memory. But it is riddled with balancing issues and loses touch on what makes Souls-likes fun in the name of difficulty.
User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 30
  2. Negative: 8 out of 30
  1. Oct 8, 2022
    0
    Keyboard rebind in game is bugged. Some keys looks like they changed, but they stay the same and they refuse to be changed. As it is, it's unplayable.
  2. Oct 1, 2022
    6
    ============
    only worth 15 dollar
    ============ - 7-8 hours long. -fluid, good lvl design and boss fights. -very buggy, little type of enemies,
    ============
    only worth 15 dollar
    ============
    - 7-8 hours long.
    -fluid, good lvl design and boss fights.
    -very buggy, little type of enemies, rebitive and bad ending.
    -didnt find game hard only 1st 3 bosses was challenging but others 1st try i killed them.
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  3. Sep 29, 2022
    5
    Pro
    >Top-tier sprite animation
    >Really hard >Decent word size for a MV Cons >LOTS of bugs and glitches >Glitched inputs (using a
    Pro
    >Top-tier sprite animation
    >Really hard
    >Decent word size for a MV

    Cons
    >LOTS of bugs and glitches
    >Glitched inputs (using a Dinput controller)
    >Kind of bad map for a Metroidvania (you can not see clearly if an area is completed)
    >No remap for dash button (really WTF?)
    >Monotone background, its like you're always on the same place.
    >Regular to bad OST
    >Magics and special attacks do not visually change when upgraded (lame)

    Overall the game feels like an unpolish copy of Blasphemous, go play that one instead.
    Full Review »