It’s hard to wrap your head around it when you think of “Vampire Survivors, but time stops when you stop”. But that’s exactly what it is. Alongside Deck Builder mechanics. Wait, before you say “Not another survivors”, or “Not another crammed in card mechanic”. Trust me when I say this:
Moon Watch is game design genius.
Watch our video: BRG Brothers Play MOON WATCH – Time moves when YOU DO.
How does Moon Watch Work? (I’ll TRY Explaining it)
While it’s super intuitive while you’re playing – it sounds silly on as I type it out haha. Here goes. *inhales*
TIME STOPS WHEN YOU STOP. TIME RESUMES WHEN YOU WALK. Yes, that’s the main unique hook of the game. It sounds weird because it IS. It’s such a weird mix or choice given the genre. But I can’t explain it – it’s just straight up genius with all the other mechanics.
Your “Energy” to cast your “Cards” only charges while moving (IE “While time is running”). Attacks are in the forms of cards in your deck. You periodically draw from your deck as time moves forward. You can choose new cards as you play via drops, or stage rewards.
It sounds weird, man. I get it. But all together, it JUST WORKS.
Real Time Strategy (w/ Pause) in Disguise
I guarantee if you play this game like any other bullet heaven, you will lose. Or at least I did. The “time” mechanic is much more ingrained into the game than you might first think. It’s not just a way to stop and think – remember your skills must be deliberately cast!
I came into the game thinking “Just another survivors” game with a cute twist that I can pause anytime… But no. The whole package synergizes into something truly unique and enjoyable. Is this a bad thing? No! It’s just something new.
It felt like an RTS game or something like a CRPG a la Baldurs Gate, but horde survival. It sounds wild to describe it like that, but
Not another Deckbuilder… Unless…
Look, I get it. You’re sick of deck and card mechanics. But don’t lump Moon Watch with the “rest”. Again you draw cards and restore “mana” as time moves forward. So casting your spells from the deck adds a layer of controlled RNG that just WORKS.
You get new cards after fights and other rewards, alongside passive abilities via relics (pretty much like Slay the Spire). I was a bit miffed when I saw “yet another card mechanic”, but man did my tune change almost immediately. It works perfectly with the whole package.
Seemingly “Improbable” challenge.
If I told you there’s a bullet heaven that you can time stop freely. You’d probably think that game would have no challenge. Sorry to burst your bubble – Moon Watch SOMEHOW MAKES IT WORK (subverting my expectations yet again).
I guess it’s a mix of enemy movement speed, and having to move to get energy. I initially played loosely, but honestly it can get very deeply strategic. The runs have moments of ups and downs depending on how you manage your resources, as well as RNG.
The final cool thing tying in the “time theme”: You clear stages by RUNNING THE CLOCK OUT! So often times you’ll just forget about defeating enemies and just try to reach the buzzer while preserving HP.
Moon Watch: Closing Thoughts
At the very least I will say – Moon Watch is INSPIRED. Whatever the devs were, uhh, consuming – I want some of that. And whatever it is they cooked with Moon Watch, I’m buyin’. Moon Watch is a story of reversing expectations for me. Every time I thought “Meh”, it got turned into a “Whoa” almost immediately.
It’s definitely not a “chill pewpew” Bullet Heaven, if that’s what you’re looking for but it’s definitely something you HAVE TO TRY if it’s for you!
Watch our video: BRG Brothers Play MOON WATCH – Time moves when YOU DO.
