Game Review: Rainbow Moon

By Manuel

Players: 1
Platforms: Nintendo Switch

I recently booted up my PlayStation 3 for the first time in years, and went through all the old digital-only games I used pour hours into. Among them was an RPG named Rainbow Moon, and it got me wondering if anyone else had ever played the game. I eventually learned that others had in fact played the game, and that it had a sequel and a re-release over the years. The latest version of the game is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, and it's published by EastAsiaSoft. We're going to be looking at that release here today, and see if it's still worth playing all these years later. There's really no need for further intro, so let's get straight to the review!

There really isn't much of a story to Rainbow Moon, as this is a gameplay-driven RPG. You're dropped into the role of a hero named Baldren, who found himself flung to another world following a fight with an evil being he apparently faces yearly. This new world was once peaceful, but someone seems to have opened up a portal that has allowed tons of monsters to come through. That person is of course you, so you set out to right the wrongs you inadvertently caused, and hopefully find your way back home. Along the way you'll meet up with other heroes who seem to mostly join you through convenience, and you'll eventually face off against that Big Bad that was mentioned in the intro. It's a fairly thin story, but it serves its purpose. As stated earlier, I played this game in its original PS3 release, and I cared for the story then as much as I do now; as in pretty much not at all. There are quite a few comedic moments, and the game at least gives you reasons for all the random wandering and grinding, but this isn't a game that takes its narrative all that seriously. Since we're done with story quite early, let's move on to discussing gameplay.

If you're an RPG player who loves grinding stats to insane levels, then Rainbow Moon is the game for you. It features several systems that seem simple on the surface, but are quite complete when you start to get into them. Random battles are the meat and potatoes of the gameplay, and these come to you in pre-determined, visible groups, or randomly generated ones. These battles all take place in a fashion similar to SRPGs, but with a much smaller party. If anyone is familiar with Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, then you know what to expect. Characters take their turns based on speed, with each character being able to take a certain number of actions on said turn. You'll only be able to take one action per turn at the start of the game, but you'll get more as you level up. These actions allow you to move several spaces, use skills that might need several actions to preform, or simply attack multiple times. Defeating monsters grants you experience points, as well as moon points that are used to grow stats separately. The moon point system allows you to tailor a character to your specific play style, and are only given out to characters who land the killing blow on an enemy. Money and loot are sometimes also dropped by defeating enemies, though getting anything beyond experience and moon points isn't guaranteed. This means that simple things like upgrading equipment, purchasing items, and even healing, can be taxing early on. There are also skills that your characters can learn, and these all level up via usage. This may sound like a lot to take in at once, and it sort of is, but it only scratches the surface of what the game provides.

When I say that you can create a super powered party if you're willing to put in the hours and hours of work, I really mean it. Rainbow Moon will throw enemies at you early on that are at a ridiculously higher level than you, and that'll be your first indication that things aren't like a standard RPG. You will be completing quests and unlocking new areas, but the name of the game will always be getting all those stat numbers higher. The main questline does keep you within reasonable character levels, but you can go far beyond those if you stick it out. Not only can you break the main game if you exploit all the systems available to you, but you can grow far beyond standard RPG norms in the post-game. That's not all either, as your characters can be modified in ways that are a probably bit too complicated to explain fully here. Certain food items improve stats without the need for levelling up, and weapons and armor can be customized by using materials dropped by monsters. These customizations all affect stats, but I think you could've guessed that without me having to point it out. You can also drink potions to grant huge, but temporary, boosts to stats. Even your inventory itself upgrades over time by way of items that allow you to carry... more items! There really is so much I can get into here, but I think you get the point. If you're a numbers person, and like the idea of micromanaging just about every aspect of your party, then you really have to get into this game.

While I am a big fan of Rainbow Moon overall, I do have to admit that it leaves a bit to be desired as far as its core gameplay loop is concerned. This is a surprisingly linear game for much of its early sections, and it isn't afraid to suddenly let you get in all sorts of trouble if you wander around carelessly. I already mentioned that the story is rather thin, and it takes a long while for things to really get moving. You'll play for several hours before you even get your second party member, and the game doesn't really get fun until you get your third. There's a lot to be said about games that aren't afraid to waste your time, and Rainbow Moon comes close to crossing that line. No matter its shortcomings, it does a good job of always keeping you on your toes. Random battles can also wipe you out very quickly if you're not prepared, and the learning curve is a bit steep. I wish I could go back to myself fifteen years ago and see what I thought about it back then, but I was able to get back into the swing of things quickly here. Having said that, "quick" is not a word I'd use to describe the dungeon exploration. Rainbow Moon has tons of dungeons, and exploring them can be quite a chore. Not only do they seem to be designed at random, but they often require the use of torches that burn out extremely quickly. Like most things, this is a game that gets easier as it goes on, but the opening sections might make some give up in frustration.

One last aspect of Rainbow Moon's gameplay that I feel is worth mentioning before on is the fully customizable difficulty and progression. Not only can you choose to play an easier or harder game when you begin, but you can modify how much experience, items, and moon points are dropped, and even if rewards are granted to all party members or not. These features take literal hours off of the game, and help make the grind feel far more palatable. If there was one complaint I had with the PS3 version of Rainbow Moon, it was the fact that the paid DLC was all but required if you didn't want to a hundred hours grinding away for minuscule rewards. That's pretty much all gone now, though you can still keep the game grind-heavy if that's the experience you're looking for. I for one loved turning on all the settings to their highest, as I don't have nearly the time I had back in the early 2010s. Not only that, but it also keep everything moving along at a brisk pace. There isn't really much to see in Rainbow Moon's world, but that doesn't mean you have to move through it at a snail's pace.

I don't really have a lot to say about either the graphics or the music of Rainbow Moon, so I'll cover them both briefly now. Even though this is re-release, it still closely resembles the PlayStation 3 version in its overall presentation. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it can be disappointing for those wanting something that looks a bit more modern. The world is quite colorful, but also generic, and there's something akin to an early 2010s mobile game vibe about it that I can't quite shake. I think it has something to do with the smooth, toy-like world, but there's something about the look and feel of the game that just keeps it in the realm of mediocre. One can argue that it slightly resembles the graphics found in the Link's Awakening remake, but that would be giving it way too much credit. The music also isn't bad by any means, but won't impress anyone either. I went through the entire game never really noticing the music in the least, and I think that's how most will go through the game as well. The battle themes were pretty good for most part, but some of the overworld tracks got a bit tiresome after a while. It's an inoffensive collection of music, but that just makes for another meh part of the game. This was always a budget indie release, so I don't want to be too hard on it, but I can't help but feel that not much was changed this time around beyond adding in bits of the DLC.

Though it might not be everyone's cup of tea, gameplay longevity is the one thing that Rainbow Moon offers in spades. I have memories of sinking well over 50 hours in the original PS3 version, and I was able to get far beyond that same point in less than half the time. It's a very grindy game no matter how you look at it, but it can be far more enjoyable for a change in this new version. Not only that, but you can send your stats and levels into the stratosphere if you're into that kind of thing. Reaching for the sky stats-wise isn't just for kicks either, as there are plenty of late and post-game challenges that cater to those who want to max out their characters to the fullest. There are tons of secrets to find, hidden characters to recruit, and so many aspects of the game that I didn't have the time to get into here. This is also the definitive way to play the game, and it all comes together at the exact same price point as that PS3 original. (That price is $14.99 by the way.) I will admit that it's a bit odd that the developers didn't do more to re-balance the game, but giving players the options to mess around with drops is just as good I guess. No matter how you slice it, this is a game that offers you endless hours of RPG grinding fun, and you don't have to worry about getting nickel and dimed for DLC this time around.

I'm willing to admit that games like Rainbow Moon are something of an acquired taste, but I still can't help but give it a full and total recommendation. If you're someone who needs more story or gameplay balance in their RPGs, then this probably won't be the game for you. It also isn't for anyone looking for a full on AAA experience, as this is the very definition of an indie RPG. On the other hand, if you're someone who loves the grind, and likes to see stats go up, then you're going to have lots of fun here. There's tons to see and do, most everything is customizable, and there's even some SRPG action in its combat system. I'm not sure if I have it in me to sink over 50 hours into it again, but I've enjoyed my second look at the game far more than I thought I would. It's fun, it's addicting, and already existing fans of the game can finally get everything included at a reasonable price. The only reason one might hesitate to grab it is due to the fact that this version seems to only be on the Nintendo Switch. If that's not an issue to you though, then get it now, and thank me later. See you in the next one!

Check Out Rainbow Moon on Nintendo Switch:
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/rainbow-moon-switch/

---

Story: B
Gameplay: B+
Graphics: B
Music/Sound: B
Value: A

Overall: B

Pros:
+ An RPG that features stat-heavy gameplay, and SRPG-style combat.
+ Though a bit weak in the story department, the gameplay is perfect for those who like to see their characters' stats grow to astronomical levels.
+ Features everything that made the PS3 version great, while also taking away its biggest drawback: its DLC.
+ Difficulty and drop rates are fully customizable. Though still a grindy game, this makes it far more bearable.
+ There's tons of secrets, high-level challenges, bonus recruitable characters, and more. This is a game that can provide countless hours of entertainment.

Cons:
- The story is very thin, and it takes a while for things to really get moving.
- Both the graphics and the music feel okay at best, and mediocre at worst.
- Seeing as the game throws a lot at you early on, it can be quite overwhelming to those new to the game.
- No matter how you look at it, this is still a grind-heavy game. This might not be the title for those who are looking for anything but that.

A copy of this game was provided to us free-of-charge by the publisher for the purpose of this review. This did not affect our review in any way.

---

We yearn for the mines!