Definitely a good buy and has the potential to be much better
Rating: 7/10
Moonstone Island, with its ambitious attempt to blend elements from various popular games, showcases great potential that is yet to be fully realized. Despite the commendable idea, the execution leaves much to be desired.
The game ambitiously borrows elements from iconic titles such as Pokemon, Harvest Moon, Hearthstone, and more, aiming to provide a comprehensive gaming experience. However, Moonstone Island struggles to fully capture the essence of each component, resulting in a somewhat mediocre amalgamation.
The farming aspect, reminiscent of Harvest Moon, adds a layer of complexity to the game. However, it primarily yields crops for monster healing and capturing, making it feel somewhat disconnected from the overall gameplay. Interestingly, similar items can be acquired through exploration, diminishing the significance of the farming mechanic.
Monster battling, inspired by Pokemon, initially offers an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, the card abilities lack balance, making it too easy to reach maximum experience levels and consequently reducing the long-term appeal of the combat system.
Island exploration and base building, while present, come off as basic and fail to fully engage players. Relationships and dating, a promising feature in theory, turn out to be rather static, with interactions limited to providing items and basic conversations.
Surprisingly, the most captivating aspect of Moonstone Island is fishing. This seemingly mundane activity provides a source of genuine entertainment, overshadowing some of the game’s other shortcomings.
In conclusion, Moonstone Island has a fantastic concept and the potential to be a standout title. However, its current state reflects a game that falls short of fully realizing its ambitious vision. With improvements in balancing, depth of gameplay, and a more dynamic approach to relationships, Moonstone Island could evolve into the gem it aspires to be.