You may not know about indie developer Moonana, but their lineup of games delves into distinctive narratives with an artistic approach. The team recently announced they are partnering with publisher Serenity Forge for their upcoming title, Keylocker. Given Moonana’s previous releases, including Virgo Versus The Zodiac and Shu’s Misfortune, the anticipation for this new title is understandably high, especially for fans. So, let’s quickly take a look at Moonana’s history and titles, if only to prepare us for their newest venture.
On the developer’s website, they share a bit about their inspiration, posting, “Moonana is a small indie game developer with a love for unique JRPGs and RPGs such as the Devil Survivor Saga, Disgaea, Earthbound, the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Mario RPGs and OFF. ” This should already be reason enough to get excited about their titles, so let’s highlight what their catalog.
Firstly, Virgo Versus The Zodiac initially launched at the end of 2019. This turn-based JRPG includes some unique elements within its combat mechanics and compelling narrative. During gameplay, players navigate a universe filled with charming characters and morally complex decisions, set against a backdrop of stunning, hand-drawn pixel art graphics. The package offers a blend of traditional turn-based combat with narrative choices that impact the plot.
Meanwhile, Shu’s Misfortune was created in RPG Maker MZ and seems to act more as a concept of what games the team would later produce. Currently, the game is free on Steam. Shu’s Misfortune presents a more somber tone, exploring themes of fate and free will presented in a nostalgic RPG Maker style. The art style, much like Virgo’s, features detailed environments and characters that bring its dark story to life. Despite its more serious undertones, Shu’s Misfortune retains the quirky charm found in Moonana’s game repertoire, engaging players with its rich lore and immersive world.
Now, when it comes to Keylocker, Moonana seems to be building on these foundations. This game is set in a world where music is illegal, and memories are digitized; players assume the role of Bobo, a rebel who uses her musical abilities to ignite change. The gameplay in Keylocker represents an evolution of Moonana’s blend of narrative depth and strategic combat, introducing a dynamic environment influenced by player decisions and actions. The integration of music into both the story and gameplay mechanics is particularly exciting, and judging by the early trailers and free demo, it seems to have a significant presence in the entire experience.
The anticipation for Keylocker comes from the team’s ability to constantly build on what they do best, creating unique JRPG experiences with help from some of the best inspirations that you can choose from. Both Virgo Versus The Zodiac and Shu’s Misfortune have a decent following, but there’s room for more players to unlock these adventures before the release of Keylocker. Sorry, I tried.
Being a fan of Moonana’s work, I’m eagerly awaiting the release of Keylocker and hearing more about its characters and systems as we get closer to its release. If this team continues their commitment to rich storytelling and addictive gameplay experiences, there’s more than enough reason to be excited for whatever they have coming next. Further, with Serenity Forge at their side, Keylocker is poised to be another remarkable entry in Moonana’s compelling portfolio of games.
In case you missed it, check out our review of Virgo Versus The Zodiac.
It looks amazing