Moonrise

Moonrise was a free-to-play role-playing game developed by Undead Labs, known for their work on the State of Decay series. Announced in 2014, the game entered Steam Early Access on May 27, 2015, with plans for a full release on PC, macOS, Android, and iOS platforms. Unfortunately, due to challenges in achieving profitability and sustainability, the project was officially canceled in August 2015.

Set in a vibrant fantasy world, Moonrise combined elements of creature collection and real-time tactical combat. Players assumed the role of Wardens, adventurers tasked with combating a phenomenon known as the Moonrise, which transformed peaceful creatures called Solari into aggressive entities known as Lunari. The primary objective was to capture and purify these Lunari, restoring them to their original Solari forms and adding them to the player's team.

The game featured a rich narrative, guiding players through various regions filled with diverse environments and ecosystems. Each area presented unique challenges, quests, and a variety of Solari to discover and collect. The strategic depth of Moonrise was highlighted by its real-time combat system, where players deployed teams of Solari in battles that required quick decision-making and tactical planning.

Moonrise offered both single-player and multiplayer experiences. The single-player campaign provided a story-driven adventure, while the multiplayer component allowed players to engage in competitive battles, testing their teams' strengths against others worldwide. The game also included daily events and challenges, encouraging players to continually refine their strategies and expand their Solari collections.

Despite its innovative approach and the pedigree of its developer, Moonrise struggled to attract a sufficient player base during its Early Access phase. The developers at Undead Labs cited the inability to envision a sustainable future for the game as the primary reason for its cancellation. While the servers remained active for a brief period post-cancellation, they were eventually shut down, rendering the game unplayable.

MMOTOP.ORG Review

Moonrise attempted to carve a niche in the RPG genre by blending creature collection mechanics with real-time tactical combat. The game's vibrant art style and expansive world-building were commendable, offering players a visually appealing and immersive experience. The strategic depth in assembling and battling with teams of Solari provided a layer of complexity that strategy enthusiasts could appreciate. However, the game's reliance on a free-to-play model, coupled with its inability to secure a substantial player base, led to its untimely demise. While Moonrise had the potential to be a standout title, it ultimately fell short in execution and market traction. We rate it 65 out of 100.

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