Free to play: New first-person dungeon crawler with PlayStation vibes tops the Steam charts
Lunacid: Tears of the Moon is a free-to-play first-person dungeon crawler and a prequel to the 2023 title Lunacid. Built with FromSoftware's Sword of Moonlight toolkit – originally created for the King's Field series – the game channels classic dark fantasy vibes. Players step into the role of the mage Calamis Cerulean, who is haunted by a grim vision: an ancient entity known as the Great Old One is stirring, threatening to bring ruin to the kingdom of Lyria. To stop this nightmare from becoming reality, you'll explore treacherous dungeons, gather powerful spells and weapons, and search for the elusive silver moonlight that might send the creature back into slumber.
The dungeons in Tears of the Moon are anything but linear, packed with hidden paths and secrets waiting to be uncovered. Combat blends tight melee mechanics with strategic spellcasting, where timing plays a crucial role. As you explore, you'll gather gear and upgrade your abilities, steadily growing stronger with each encounter. When things get especially dicey, crystal shards offer a quick escape from danger. Visually, the game leans into its retro charm, echoing the gritty, atmospheric style of the original PlayStation era.
Reviews: Strong retro flair held back by outdated controls and lack of replayability
According to Steam reviews, players praise Lunacid: Tears of the Moon for its authentic retro atmosphere, brought to life by the Sword of Moonlight engine, which faithfully recreates the look and feel of the PS1 era. This nostalgic look is enhanced by a hauntingly melancholic soundtrack, which, together with the game's dark world, fully draws players in. Many describe the experience as deeply immersive, saying they easily lose themselves in its eerie, captivating environment.
Despite the praise, the game hasn't escaped criticism. Players often point to the outdated controls as a major drawback – your character can't strafe, only move forward or backward and turn, which gives the gameplay a tank-like feel. The lack of in-game resolution settings and occasional input lag, especially on the Steam Deck (available on Amazon for around $570), also draw complaints. Additionally, while the atmosphere is widely appreciated, some players feel the game lacks replay value. According to several Steam reviews, there's little reason to return once the handful of dungeons has been completed.
Despite a few criticisms, Lunacid: Tears of the Moon has been well received overall, with 84% of the 225 Steam reviews giving it a positive rating. The game’s popularity is also reflected in its chart position, as it currently holds the top spot in Steam’s "Trending Free" category.
Free to play
Lunacid: Tears of the Moon was developed by KIRA LLC and released on Steam on April 12. The dungeon crawler is permanently free to play, with the only additional content on Steam being the soundtrack, priced at around $4.
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