Don't be a hero. Experience the love. Experience moon. moon is an anti-RPG steeped in story and character, mood and music.
Rather than casting the player as a heroic protagonist, the game puts you in the role of a young boy who gets pulled into the world of an in-game RPG. Instead of mindlessly slaying monsters for experience, your goal is to save the souls of the "monsters" (which are actually just innocent animals) that have been killed by the selfish RPG hero.
The core gameplay loop revolves around collecting "love" from the game's NPCs and environment. This love acts as your energy, allowing you to extend the limited time you have each day to explore the world and interact with characters. The more love you gather, the longer you can stay active before having to rest for the night. This encourages a slower, more contemplative playstyle focused on careful observation and lateral thinking rather than combat.
The open-world structure allows you to freely explore the various locations and uncover the daily routines and secrets of the quirky NPCs. Many of the puzzles rely on paying attention to environmental cues and being patient, rather than quick reflexes.
A unique time management element is the in-game day/night cycle and weekly calendar. Certain events and interactions are tied to specific times, requiring you to carefully plan your activities to make the most of your limited time. This, combined with the love-based energy system, creates a sense of tension and pacing that drives you to make the most of each day.
One innovative feature is the ability to curate your own soundtrack by selecting and arranging music tracks from an in-game player. This allows you to personalize your experience and set the mood as you explore the world.