Reviews

The Sun and Moon review for PS Vita, PS4

Platform: PS Vita
Also On: PC, PS4
Publisher: Digerati Distribution
Developer: Daniel Linssen
Medium: Digital
Players: 1
Online: No
ESRB: E

Just because you have an innovative idea, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a good innovative idea. Want proof? Look no further than The Sun and Moon.

Before I go any further, of course, I should note that I’m not particularly good at the game. Though I’ve gotten through many (though not all) of the levels, it’s taken me a long time to do so. Beating each one requires a whole lot of trial and error (and error, and error, and error), and I’ve come nowhere close to meeting most target times. As such, when I say I’m not fond of it, be aware that a lot of that is built-up frustration speaking.

sun and moon 2sun and moon 2

In my defense, however, I have a hard time seeing how else anyone could experience the game. It is, after all, a physics-based platformer, with the core mechanic — which calls for players to play with gravity by diving into the ground and launching themselves towards other platforms — seemingly being designed in such a way that you have no choice but to experiment every step of the way. There doesn’t seem to be any hard and fast rule for how far you’re going to dive or be launched, which pretty much every single jump you take is almost literally a leap of faith. Maybe I just played it the wrong way, but it feels like the game is designed in such a way that if you get through a level on your first try, it’s because you got incredibly lucky.

If The Sun and Moon has one saving grace, it’s one that you actually don’t even need the game to experience. See, its score is gorgeous, all cold and sparse and minimalistic…and, as luck would have it, it’s available as a separate download via Bandcamp. I know that, as a gaming site, we should probably be in the business of promoting games over other forms of media. In this case, however, that other form of media is not just clearly better, but also roughly the same cost, which means that, as far as I’m concerned, it’s pretty clear which one deserves your money.

sun and moon 1sun and moon 1

But, hey, maybe you like being frustrated. If you do, then The Sun and Moon certainly has something for you, since it won’t do much other than frustrate you. If you just want to experience something good, though, ditch the game and go for the soundtrack. You’ll be glad you did.

Grade: C
Matthew Pollesel

Recent Posts

PAX East 2025: Inside the Elden Ring: Nightreign Dome!

For the attendees who remained ticketless, we reveal what’s inside the dome!

2 days ago

Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part One: Evolved Edition is sneaking onto non-VR PS5 and PC platforms

The latest Alien title is going flat later this year!

2 days ago

Mafia: The Old Country gets an August 8th, 2025 release, official gameplay trailer and more

With Grand Theft Auto VI officially bumped into next year, now's the time for 2K…

3 days ago

Celebrate the upcoming launch of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 with THPS Fest tonight in L.A. and Twitch

Activision has put together a tribute to the those who helped make Tony Hawk’s Pro…

3 days ago

Sega reveals the English Voice Cast for Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut

Real Yakuza play with subs, but if you need a dub, SEGA’s got your back.

3 days ago

Captain Blood review for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

It took more than twenty years, but Captain Blood has finally seen the light of…

3 days ago