Story-wise, the premise of 2Moons is not that compelling. It has the typical "return-of-evil" plot device that we commonly see in fantasy movie sequels. Unfortunately, the game rarely lets you feel the immediacy of the plot, as quests feel a bit dull and the game's story just feels left out of the game.

Your life in Haran is spent most of the time grinding and being extremely cautious of any other player within range. The game has a handful of quests that will help you reap exp and desirable rewards, although they scattered unevenly through levels, forcing players to grind away until the next available quest comes. NPCs take delight in ordering you to kill a certain number of monsters, pick up some items by killing monsters, or talking to other NPCs. It's the same quest formula you find in every other MMORPG. Despite the simple formula, there lies confusion. Quest markers hover above all the NPCs having quests, only to find out its unavailability due to the level requirement. This is heavily compensated by a quest notice window, updating you of the current available quests and the NPC location.

Under the moonlight

2Moons' gritty gameplay breathes life into the simplistic story line with an action-heavy focus, evoking a stale excitement as a child of Trieste. The features in the game are the usual staples in every other MMORPG. There are 6 job classes to choose from, all having different builds and a unique set of skills. Skill are gained by purchasing skill books from job masters; but they can even be looted from monsters on rare occasions. Leveling is pretty generic, you gain a single skill point each level a handful of stat points that you can use to build your character. Your character also gains additional bonuses from items, weapons and armor. Most of the equipment in the game will have stat, job or level requirements, usually compelling players to follow a strict stat build lest they want to miss out on perfectly good armaments. Other features include an easily-manageable party system and guild formation. Again, these are usual key features we see in most MMOs as well, making 2Moons a straightforward game.

In an attempt to reel in a certain feel of complexity, the game has added a few more touches to gameplay. 2Moons has a refining and socketing system for weapons and armors. Refining uses certain materials to fortify an item, typically the same upgrading system we see in most MMOs. Socketing, on the other hand, allows players to insert gems onto a socketed item to further enhance its ability or effectiveness in battle. A unique touch to this system is the option to create sockets on a certain item on a certain probability. With this socket system combined with the refining system, any weapon or armor can be upgraded well beyond its base stats. Despite the nature of these two features, the game still feels pretty dull.

If you think the game is heavy on the violent side, perhaps the game's other features can relax you. Almost reminiscent of the Breath of Fire III (Playstation 1 game made by Capcom), 2Moons presents a fishing mini-game, where players are given the chance to sidetrack leisurely. There are designated fishing spots (note that not all bodies of water are viable spots) to search for your sea prey. Once caught, your objective is to deplete the fish's HP for a successful catch. This is a thankful welcome for starting players wanting to earn a little more money aside from loots and quest rewards. As you level up,The money earned from fishing will become worthless, questing and grinding will become a more effective way to gain wealth. Other small features include the pet and mount system; Pets can provide help during intense battles, while mounts enable you to travel across maps faster.

Dark side of the moon

2Moon's PvP system is where the game shines the brightest; 2Moons throws you right into the heat of action. The game has an open PvP feature, wherein numerous maps can turn into a free-for-all battle royale. Not only do you have to defend yourself from incoming mobs, but also from other players capable of stabbing you behind your back. Player-killing has its penalties, but is still an interesting feature as it adds a sense of danger to the game. For those who wish to avoid PK related penalties, you can send duel invitations and end your mettle against someone even inn safe zones. 2Moons also included a "shield" system applicable only during PvP combat. This shield corresponds to a certain bar in the character window, providing added protection for players. This is especially helpful in preventing the quick killing of low-level players, allowing them to escape from combat. For massive scale battles, participation in sieges is the way to go. The winning guild becomes the "absolute ruler" of the land until the next siege event. The game, however, makes it s o you have to rich enough to participate, making dominant guild the only participants in this event. There's also an option to watch siege events without the hassles of combat, which is definitely an interesting feature; especially if the siege event is taking place between two competitive guilds.

To fully enjoy the game, 2Moons has kept controls flexible for players. The game offers WASD and mouse movement, with two different control schemes depending on the immediacy of attacking. This option helps long-range players prepare skills and prevent accidental casting. Thankfully, response of the game is solid and smooth, although queuing of skills may have delays. Keyboard shortcuts are easy to familiarize and master, as well. However, new players might have difficulty learning since the in-game tutorial is nothing but a chunk of text coming from one single NPC. The same content can be seen in the help window too.

Faces of the Moon

When it comes to graphics and sounds, 2Moons strives to deliver an amazing detail of the filth-infested Haran. Leaves and grass sway in the wind with an almost-lifelike grace, and every man-made structure appears to be built piece by piece. Weather effects add to the dark ambiance of the game. Armor and weapon appearances shine with great detail and luster. The music matches every mood of a certain area, from fishing to shopping in the market. Ambient sounds loop almost randomly, giving a more natural feel. Skill effects are rich in colorful animations and definitely light up your screen in awesome splendor. Even monsters have huge variations, having infrequent repaints or remodels. Sadly, the NPC looks were neglected, having models recycled or repainted in different areas around Haran. 2Moons also removed character customizations entirely, making each class gender-locked and appearance-stiff.

Bad Moon Rising?

As said earlier, 2Moons can be summed up to one word: simple. The game's greatest forte is its intense PvP action. This compensates for the simplified MMORPG staples included in the game. Dark, yet opulent, environments and a strong combat theme polishes this game into a gem. But its polish might not be enough to outshine other strong competitors. PvP lovers will definitely enjoy 2Moons, delivering them directly into the heat of the battle. Then again, many would opt to play Rohan: Blood Feud instead. This game is an alternative, at best.

October 21, 2009