Story:
In Lunistice you play as a Tanuki named Hana. Hana has to traverse her dreams, with the final destination being the Moon. All in an effort to uncover the truth about the mysterious Lunistice.
Gameplay:
The game is a 3D platformer with the objective being to get through to the end of each level and reach the goal/portal. Each stage consists of between 2-3 levels each. The levels in each stage keep the same theme but are different enough from one another to keep them from feeling repetitive. The game is played in a third-person perspective with the camera able to move freely around the player.
Hana can jump on enemies to dispatch them or has the ability to use a spin attack. Hana also has a double jump that can be used to navigate around the stage and to avoid enemies if you would prefer not to attack them.
Each stage has a variety of enemies, platforms, and a set number of Collectible origami cranes. In addition to the cranes that can be collected in each stage, there are also a set of four tiles that spell out Hana. In order to collect all of the cranes and all four tiles in each level, you’re going to have to explore the stage and go off the seemingly linear path set before you.
Depending on how long the level takes, how many times you lose a life, the number of cranes and tiles you collect, will all determine the letter grade you’re awarded at the end of each level.
Graphics and Performance:
Graphics in Lunistice take heavy inspiration from the original Playstation and the Sega Saturn. Though it may look like they are from that era and even offer a CRT filter, the game still feels like it has a modern art style. Enemy models look like something straight out of the original Playstation but with textures and movements that make them fresh and modern.
Though there isn’t an FPS counter on Switch, the game feels like it runs at a relatively smooth 60FPS. Needless to say, the game runs at a very solid and smooth frame rate. The game has no issues with slowdown, pop-in, or anything of the sort. The performance is the same both while playing docked and in handheld mode.
Sound:
The background music in the game changes with every set of stages. The music does change slightly with each level. It would be great if each level of a stage had more of an arrangement to it without them sounding so similar, but it’s not to the point of being monotonous. Sound effects in the game are what you would expect from a platformer. They don’t feel out of place but rather fit the game nicely.
Conclusion:
Lunistice is a modern take on the platforming genre with a retro aesthetic. The game got a lot of things right. It’s fun, encourages exploration, has a ton of collectibles, and gives the feeling of playing a Playstation or Sega Saturn game while at the same time being modern.
You can’t go wrong with the price point and I would highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided