Moonring

Moonring (2023) is a fantasy role-play game inspired by Ultima but with modern improvements and an intriguing narrative. Play is a turn-based exploration and strategic fighting of the style common in 90's role-play adventures. What stands out, though, is the increased detail, world-simulation and signposting that create a game that grows into a layered challenge with intricate systems and secrets.

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You enter the world of Calderan as five new moons rise in the sky and bring with them an age of strange gods. The world is represented from above with small pixelated visuals. It's a turn-based game where things only happen when you move or act. In this way, you travel, trade, sneak, fight and sail the world. While this geography is hand-designed, it's scattered with deadly dungeons beneath the surface that reconfigure each time you leave (or die and have to try again).

As you progress you learn how to use your Poise meter to avoid taking Health damage. You also find you can speak with the townsfolk to uncover Caldera's secrets. What's interesting here is how certain phrases result in different responses - and the information you need.

Moonring is an invitation into a game filled with the 40-year-old joy of simple exploration, discovery and venturing into the dark unknown. The modern quality-of-life enhancements and more detailed depiction of things like stealth and encumbrance bring it right up to date. It's from one developer who worked on Fable and has that expansive feel to it the further you get.

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Our examiner, Jo Robertson, first checked Moonring 6 months ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 4 weeks ago.