Rainbow Moon Is Here, Old-School Fans Cry Tears Of Joy
If you hadn't noticed, old-school JRPG fans lament the loss of a certain style of gaming that has mostly disappeared.
But hark! What is that I hear...? The soft, sonorous call of a golden age of turn-based role-playing, beckoning us to return once more...
No, they aren't evil Sirens, they are benevolent goddesses who wish to bestow former glory upon us in the form of Rainbow Moon. This downloadable title has arrived on the US PlayStation Store; it features traditional RPG elements blended with a turn-based strategy form of combat, and it's so charming and vividly attractive (in a minimalist sort of way) that we could just cry.
An even longer trailer is on the PSN, by the way, and developer diaries can be found at YouTube as well. Don't ask if I'm going to review this one, either...if you do, it means you don't know me at all. ;)
Related Game(s): Rainbow Moon
Tags: rainbow moon, rainbow moon launch trailer, eastasiasoft
7/11/2012 10:09:13 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (51 posts)
Underdog15
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:31:20 AM
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I've been watching this game for most of this past year, so it's a no-brainer for me.
I didn't get a chance to turn the PS3 on yesterday, so I haven't taken a spin around the PSN after the last update yet. Will do so tonight!
Highlander
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:35:52 AM
Highlander
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:33:13 AM
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Oh, for people interested in this game, there is another game coming soon that should perk up your interest. NIS America is releasing Legasista this summer. It's a traditional dungeon crawler experience bright up to date. I'll post a link in a reply to this comment.
Highlander
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:33:53 AM
Ultimadream
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:34:43 AM
Reply
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:43:09 AM
Highlander
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:49:56 AM
Ultimadream
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 11:15:53 AM
frostface
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:53:58 AM
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The level difficulty, especially at the start, almost forces you do go buy one of the booster packs off the PSN (There is a free starter pack on PSN) or you're gonna struggle big time. The small DLC is actually quite good for what you'll pay for it (€0.99c) and although you're under no obligation to buy it, you'll feel like you never really had a choice. (NB: I chose the hard difficulty, it was either that or normal which in the description reads as what you'd expect 'easy' to be on most other games').
If you're really into grinding through a game, you'll love this. Or you think you will until the combat just starts to feel way, way too repetitive. You can put it down to it's old school style if you like but you will find after an hour or two the repetition starts to weigh heavy on you.
The combat too is what you'd expect from this style of RPG but the controls could of been executed better. You can use the D-Pad or the left analog stick to move your character around but sometimes you try move one way and end up moving the other. Which in games like Disgaea is not a big deal because until you end your turn, you can move your character back and then move where you want it to go. In Rainbow Moon however, you move your character even by accident and there's no waiting for confirmation from you that you meant to move where you moved to. Nor any way to move back without it counting as another move. It's frustrating and not in anyway 'retro'.
Also the actual 'attack' or 'defend' options aren't separate from you moving your character. You either move or attack. Best I give an example, on your turn you may be allowed two moves. You attack an enemy but don't actually 'move' your character on the map, doesn't matter the attack counts as a 'move'. But you get used to playing like this so I'm maybe being too harsh on that last point.
Now I'm making the game sound bad, but if you can push yourself through the monotony for the first few hours, you'll start taking on companions to fight with you. It's then the game starts to become more enjoyable and the combat less boring. But for the first few hours, when you're on your own, there's no strategy.
It's a good looking game and has alot of customisation of weapons and armor for your companions and your main character. The quests are decent enough, some more challenging than others and if you've grinded a lot, prepare to do it all again when you take on a companion because they'll keep dying. Not a bad thing in games like Disgaea because the combat is interesting enough but I hark back to the repetition again.
Highlander
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 11:39:56 AM
frostface
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:03:52 PM
One good thing about the booster packs though that I should of mentioned is that when you purchase one, it's always available for you if you start over a new game. You don't have to go buy it again.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:09:31 PM
And even if it did say Normal was like Easy, "Easy" in the world of old-school RPGs has basically always translated to "Medium" for normal people. ;)
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 7/11/2012 12:09:52 PM
frostface
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:20:37 PM
(btw in case anyone missed it, I also said there's a free 'starter' pack on PSN. You can never talk to much about free stuff)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 3:02:01 PM
The conclusion is that nobody needs the pack if they just play it on normal...hence, to me, it wouldn't even be worthwhile mentioning in a review.
frostface
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 6:04:55 PM
Beamboom
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 11:22:16 AM
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What's interesting about that is that he's not into JRPGs at all, I'm not sure if he even know the *term* "JRPG" (I may underestimate him now but oh well, he's not hanging on this site anyways ;), and he's most certainly not played those old-school titles you guys talk about all the time. So by him this game is entirely judged through the eyes of a current day, western gamer.
How he described it to me was simply that it was a pretty good RPG on PSN right now and wanted to make me aware of it cause he knew I like RPGs (something that he's not, however he loves strategy games so that can play a role here).
Anyway, this is what I've always said in these regards: I don't think the "Japanese style" in itself is an hurdle on the western market. Just make the games *good enough*, and the gamers will notice.
Last edited by Beamboom on 7/11/2012 11:29:12 AM
Highlander
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 11:45:28 AM
Last edited by Highlander on 7/11/2012 11:46:50 AM
Beamboom
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:07:38 PM
Of course you read reviews written by people who don't even own the titles. It doesn't surprise me one bit. User reviews are worthless, it's not even a good indicator of what the average gamer really think.
More interesting is the reviews that's actually read: The real reviews. And on gamerankings right now they got four reviews up, with scores 90/90/80/70 giving an average of 82.5 so far. It's far too early yet but that is a *really* good sign.
Here's my philosophy: A game is a game. And a good game is a good game, regardless. I really, as a general rule, believe that. Of course, each of us don't all like all genres, me for instance I don't think I will ever like traditional fighting games no matter how good they are, but a good game is a good game still.
My buddy is a normal, western gamer. He picked up Rainbow Moon. He didn't have any particular knowledge on this genre, haven't played old srpgs/jrpgs but it looked cool so he forked out the cash: And now he like it and recommend it to his friends. That means a lot more than the cry babies bothering to post their "reviews" on Amazon & co.
(NB NB NB!
No offence to you guys who write user reviews her on PSXE: I don't talk about your reviews but those found the mainstream sites like Metaranking, Amazon and so forth. You guys rule, I luv'y'all! <3 <3 <3).
Last edited by Beamboom on 7/11/2012 12:11:04 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:12:02 PM
HOWEVER, that being said, those who write user reviews for this particular genre are almost always, ALWAYS in the know. This is a very hardcore niche group and very few are going to write something like, "This game sucks because I can't blow things up" or even "This game rules because I love old-school RPGs."
User reviews for this extremely niche sub-genre are probably the only ones worth reading on the Internet. They're all likely older individuals and they're all likely better spoken than the average CoD fanatic.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 7/11/2012 12:12:33 PM
Beamboom
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:25:03 PM
"I can't begin to tell you how many user reviews I have read of games at places like Amazon where people have poured scorn on a JRPG that either hasn't been released yet, or that they haven't actually played. The JRPG genre is widely pre-judged in a negative manner today."
I totally believe what he says there, cause it's a perfect match to my own experiences, regardless of genre.
That's not to say there are not exceptions, and I can believe that *some* sites where experienced jrpg oldtimers hang out might offer better-than-average user reviews.
But speaking of exceptions, I'd like to make one myself: There's one area where user reviews are of a pretty decent level, and that is book reviews over at the aforementioned sites. They can actually be pretty good at times, for a user review.
But user reviews of games? I don't trust them, not one bit, and I'd not recommend anyone to do so unless they are really, really good at spotting bullshit and got the time to read *many* reviews before making up their minds.
It's just so much easier to trust professional reviewers. And it's usually a much, much better read too.
Last edited by Beamboom on 7/11/2012 12:31:09 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:52:53 PM
Beamboom
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:59:23 PM
Highlander
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 1:05:27 PM
Ben, I see where you are coming from, but if you ever read the user reviews at major retailers that do not scrutinize their user comments or reviews, you will find that there are innumerable people that post comments or 'reviews' trashing a game simply to trash it, whether or not they have even played it. You used to see a lot of 360 gamers doing this to every PS3 game that was released, regardless of how good it was. Hell, I still saw legions of Forza fans trashing GT5 simply because it was a) a PS3 game, and b) not Forza.
Beamboom, whether the comments and 'reviews' I am talking about are particularly well reasoned or considered authoritative, lots of people read them and they form part of the context around a game or genre. Once the snowball starts rolling downhill and gathering mass and momentum, it becomes more and more difficult to avoid or stop.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 3:03:56 PM
Beamboom
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 3:34:30 PM
Fane1024
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 7:05:36 PM
Beamboom
Thursday, July 12, 2012 @ 12:52:46 AM
While it's true that companies can be hired for "guerilla marketing" on the internet and that includes creating fake user reviews and forum posts, it's unlikely that the fake user game reviews out there are paid for by Microsoft. If anyone, try the different distributors instead.
And unless it is a really, really mean competing title (that bombing of the last COD over at metacritic last time was really, really suspicious) I bet most use their money on favourable reviews of their own products instead.
But how large share of the total amount of user reivews are in fact marketing? Noone knows but I logically it must be marginal.
Last edited by Beamboom on 7/12/2012 12:55:37 AM
frostface
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:07:39 PM
Reply
http://www.psxextremeforums.com/playstation-3/13095-what-would-ps1-era-rpg-like-ps3-enter-rainbow-moon.html
Don't worry, we don't bite. :)
Lotusflow3r
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:28:02 PM
frostface
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:35:22 PM
Beamboom
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 1:02:44 PM
Lotusflow3r
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 5:25:47 PM
Lotusflow3r
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:25:06 PM
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I'm 48hrs in and i can tell you this...
It is SRPG in battle only, everywhere else is traditional Jrpg and that was the developer's aim. To get that blend of all our favourite Jrpgs into one. The game overall is like a lost Dragon Quest, i kid you not. The world map is huge! The 1st 40hrs are fairly straight forward, but after that, something big happens and it pulls a FFVll Midgar-to-World map-like twist and now i'm just ravishing this nostalgia trip. I could go on for too long at how spot on they got this game, it is classic, golden age Jrpg all over and probably the best Jrpg i have played in a few years.
The exploration is so nostalgic.
My complaints are minimal and they're that it lacks a plot beyond it's synopsis and that the Normal difficulty is a bit too easy and it's not hard to get ahead of the game whereas Hard mode is too hard, unless you're a grind head.
Other than that, my "complaints" would be a wish list i.e. more mini games.
Seriously, Sidequest Studios have pulled something special. It's spot on like a golden age Jrpg. Anyone that still complains that it isn't has lost all rights to complain about those kinds of Jrpgs anymore, especially as we have multiple return-to-forms coming, peaking at Ni No Kuni.
Sidequest Studios are overwhelmed with the response. They're already considering a sequel or new RPG and taking constructive criticism onboard and listening to wish lists for such projects. The main designer also wants to make a Zelda esq game too which i fully support.
Oh one more thing i must mention, Rafael Dyll has done an absolutely superb job at the soundtrack, not only will it fill you with nostalgia due to the fact they sound spot on golden age, but some tracks are just a joy to listen to on their own merit. The OST will be on the store in September.
I`ll pass the review here over to the Devs when it goes up, regardless.
Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 7/11/2012 12:39:09 PM
frostface
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 12:38:49 PM
Ultimadream
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 2:15:28 PM
If it has an SRPG battle system then it's an SRPG in my eye.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 3:05:35 PM
Lotusflow3r
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 5:16:28 PM
However, the game is too versatile to be a strict SRPG as i originally say. An SRPG doesn't have traditional features like huge world maps and towns etc, etc. They're traditional features.
For example, i felt exactly how i did playing through early traditional Jrpgs as i do playing through Rainbow Moon, not how i felt when playing through Tactics Orge.
When things open up fully, you'll see Rainbow Moon is traditional in every sense of the word. There's so much to do and so many hidden areas and secrets or towns to discover, all optional. One of the games main focuses is exploration.
I spent the same amount of time battling on FFVll as i do Rainbow Moon, the only difference is that i can move about on the battle screen and that doesn't morph a game into something else over all the other, bigger traditional features....also, a chess inspired turn-based battle system is better than the other turn-based battle systems in my opinion. It's more mentally challenging.
But the biggest point is that the developers said themselves that they aimed to make a traditional Jrpg, a mix of all the classics. They said that if you enjoyed early FFs or DQs, then Rainbow Moon is for you.
We moan too much about those days being gone and yearn for this return, that we can't be picky when something so close actually arrives.
@frost
Mate, you 100% should of put it on normal. You've punished yourself doing it, it's not the games fault you opted for that.
Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 7/11/2012 5:18:24 PM
frostface
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 6:06:53 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 8:23:02 PM
And I know it certainly has plenty of elements that aren't part of the SRPG world. I'm just saying, when people see the combat, they're automatically going to associate it with strategy. It is, after all.
But the blend of strategy and traditional RPG elements is great, I think.
Lotusflow3r
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:09:45 PM
It's frustrating, though when i read comments around the net that they are thrown off at the SRPG battle system and think the whole game is just that and proceed to yearn for old school tradition. These comments aren't frequent, though, on the plus side.
Anyway, if you have any requests/wish lists for Rainbow Moon 2 or their next new RPG, merge it into the review somehow because they're taking everything on board for the next one. The more encouragement, the better.
Fane1024
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 7:12:02 PM
kraygen
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:39:15 PM
gumbi
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 1:39:44 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 3:06:36 PM
berserk
Thursday, July 12, 2012 @ 4:36:18 AM
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I barely have to do any grinding , completing quest ( especially the one who require a certain number of items )and killing monsters in some random encounter (choosing which one to do is critical ) along the enemies you see on maps have been enough to make me more then strong enough to defeat my foe .
If anyone have no intention of doing every quest and explore as much as possible then i must suggest playing on normal since you ll have to grind for sure and things might strart to get frustrating .
Before i go i want to add that the best part of the game for me in HARD difficulty is that the satisfaction of killing monster in you re way and and be able to advance after offer as much satisfaction as doing the same in demons/dark souls .
EDIT : Forgot to mention another great thing about the game is that every armor and weapon you equip shows on you re characters ( just got a bandana used as a mask for my archer and it look great on her ) . I really did nt inspect this from a 15 $ psn game , especially since a lot of full priced games don t even offer this .
Last edited by berserk on 7/12/2012 4:46:28 AM

Rainbow Moon









TheAgingHipster
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Wednesday, July 11, 2012 @ 10:27:58 AM