Moon Tycoon Review

Moon Tycoon Review

Review by Dylan

Moon Tycoon is a lunar simulation game that allows you to colonize the moon through building space centers, research facilities, mining, and even a space mall. The game is similar to other simulations in its genre, but branches out to create an interesting space themed adventure thousands and thousands of miles from Earth.

Lunar Entrepreneurship

Through exploring the terrain and researching natural resources, you will learn what your colony has to offer. Using the environment to your advantage and capitalizing on the tourism your colony will certainly draw, are some ways in which you can make this space adventure financially successful and out of this world.

3 Game Modes

Moon Tycoon offers you three options of play. You can begin with a “free play” mode, a “campaign” mode which is a challenge style of play complete with objectives, or you can opt for the “tutorial” mode. This game's unique and complex nature makes it important for first time users to begin with the helpful tutorial. A crucial element of this game that is different from other simulations is your building layout. All of the buildings have to touch or have to be connected with tubes. Since humans cannot occupy space without oxygen, the tubes pump the precious O2 gas through all the buildings. This part of the game is one of the unique elements addressed in the tutorial. If you are inexperienced I would suggest familiarizing yourself with the game through this helpful guide.

The campaign and free play modes should be relatively familiar to you if you've played other tycoon style games. In the campaign (there are three campaigns) you complete objectives to “move-up” in level. Each additional level brings about increased difficulties and most levels are additions to the previous. For example, if you are to build a space center and two inflatable homes in the first level, the second might consist of you building another center and two more homes with power and water plants. The campaigns are interesting and completing assigned tasks add to the game's intrigue.

The free play mode is also great and offers a few fun features. One of these aspects is to build your own scenario. You can choose how much money you want to start with, the type of terrain you want, the length of your service life, the concentration of natural resources, and whether or not you want to colonize the moon or an asteroid. You have the freedom to do whatever you want in this mode and the development of your colony is completely in your hands.

A Bit of a Learning Curve

The gameplay in Moon Tycoon is relatively simple and easy, with a few annoyances. Once you get the hang of things it won't be too bad, but starting out can be a drag. Trying to place buildings can be tricky and lining up the connector tubes can be hard, especially from some of the weird camera angles you might encounter.

Not having clear boarders on the map is also a drawback of the game. You might build right next to the boundary with the intent to continue building, but you will not be allowed to because of the unclear dead end. This might cause you to demolish a building and some tubes and start your project elsewhere. It isn't a major issue, but can still be annoying.

Conclusion - If You Won't Something Unique, Here It Is

Overall, through it's unique environment and modes of play, Moon Tycoon offers a new style of play for games in the simulation genre. The game has a few drawbacks, but its uniqueness and the strategic qualities make Moon Tycoon a game worth trying. Whether you are a space enthusiast, a connoisseur of fine simulation games, or a first time player, you'll go Astro-nuts playing this space themed tycoon game.