Rainbow Moon

I remember when the game launched for the PS3, a lot of gamers begged for it to become available on the Vita. Well, here it is and while there aren’t any big surprises, it’s still that immensely fun strat/RPG you fell in love with last year. Ultimately, that’s what matters, right?

Unless you desperately need a decent storyline to enjoy a game, this is a must-buy for any JRPG fan, especially for $24.95. I’ve put 95 hours into the game so far, and I’m still going strong - that should tell you all you need to know.

The portability of Rainbow Moon makes the game that much more attractive, allowing for addictive grinding in convenient spurts that the PS3 version couldn't allow. The retro presentation and leveling systems work in tandem extremely well, even if the narrative-less grind to max level will take a while.

There is no additional content, no added touch-controls but the magic of this charming role-playing game is still there.

Attention to detail is one of the strongest points of this compelling RPG. [Feb 2014, p.94]

RPG's like Rainbow Moon are not for everybody. But the creators made sure that everything is very clear and not unnecessarily complicated. The game world is looks phenomenal and it is very fun to walk around in because there are a lot of funny characters to meet. It is so nice to hold this big world within the little screen of the Vita, that we prefer this version over the PS3-one.

The game is still as good as it was on PS3, and it's a great opportunity if you want a handheld version.

Not a bad game, just one that fails to grab you and keep your attention.

While managing to engage in a genuine challenge, Rainbow Moon proves to be too repetitive.

Those without a Nintendo handheld system that want to know what the Fire Emblem noise is all about will find this to be a decent and competent, though not overly compelling, PlayStation analog.

Rainbow Moon makes some heavy mistakes, but it's still a great first attempt at an RPG from SideQuest Studios.

Rainbow Moon might have a couple of flaws, but it's rare to see a game of this caliber at such a cheap price.

All in all, Rainbow Moon is a charming indy title – obviously not as polished or fleshed out as it could have been, but certainly worth the lowered price point on PSN.

With a lengthy campaign and a ton of post-game content, Rainbow Moon is well worth the R125 price tag and while it does it have its flaws, the addictive grinding and fun battles coupled with excellent music will keep you coming back for more.

The game certainly provides value for money, given how long it can last. As I said SideQuest has created a game that ticks all the right boxes when it comes to the technical and execution side of things, but the story pacing isn’t good, and something I hope the studio got right for Rainbow Skies.

Rainbow Moon’s cutesy style and twinkly audio design cleverly disguise a genuinely challenging, surprisingly sprawling adventure with enough depth and variety to appease even the hardiest strategy-RPG fan. Forced grinding and unexpected dfficulty spikes aren’t all that enoyable, but they’re not game-breaking either.

Regardless, if you’re a fan of old school RPGs and have a couple bucks (and hours) to spare, Rainbow Moon is still an investment that should be sought out.

Rainbow Moon is a well-made RPG with a decent amount of micro-managing and a surprisingly strong soundtrack. Unfortunately, the game lacks innovation and simply isn't interesting enough to warrant a higher score.

While Rainbow Moon isn't a bad game by any means, it can definitely get stale given the effort it takes to progress. There aren't enough gameplay advances to keep the game fresh, and the story isn't compelling enough to maintain interest.

If you’re the kind of person who loves to grind then maybe, just maybe, Rainbow Moon is worth taking a look at. For everyone else though, there are sure to be better alternatives.

Rainbow Moon is not a bad game, but the removal of some systems and the polishing of others would make is stand more than “the game with a ton of stuff to do.”

Shallow combat, annoying upgrade system, and a forgettable plot. Rainbow Moon is no pot of gold. [January 2014, p83]

Spanning over forty hours for the main campaign with optional side quests and dungeons to spare, Rainbow Moon has a heck of a lot of content for its asking price. However, the combat lost its appeal within the first few hours with its repetitive nature, and without the support of a compelling story and interesting characters, I just couldn’t find the strength to see this journey to its end.

If you’re looking for jRPGs on your Vita, you’ve got great options–but Rainbow Moon isn’t one of them.