Moon Tycoon Review (no fat)

Game Description

Both educational and fun for all ages, Moon Tycoon can be considered one of the most constructive games today. With a new twist in the tycoon line of games, it puts you in outer space where you join the race to colonize the Moon. Seasoned tycoon gamers can prepare for a new and refreshing 3d look, while newcomers are welcome to take a break from confusing interfaces and relax with Moon Tycoon’s user friendly atmosphere.

Moon Tycoon Story

The game centers around earth’s lust for technology, and how quickly the side effects of everyone’s actions catches up. It’s pretty much based on a true story, you know, the real Earth and how everyone uses up its resources.

Nuclear energy is, of course, a dangerous alternative, so scientists are forced to turn to the ultra rare Helium 3. But of course, the moon is plentiful with it, prompting a collaboration of scientists to start a project on the moon. After spending some time on the moon preparing to send some Helium 3 back to earth, scientists come to another epiphany: this is a pretty great place, why not colonize here?

And so the story begins, starting you off with 50000 (yes, a whole 50000 to build an advanced colony)

Moon Tycoon Gameplay

Building a colony on the moon is no small task, and the small amount of money you are given to do it is no help. Gamers will have to play around with the ground level tool before building anything even becomes an option. Money is hard to come by in Moon Tycoon, so a good bet to accumulate before you run dry, would be simply mining what you were sent to the moon for in the first place.

Mining probes can be put in spots on the moon to tell you the percentage of Helium 3 in the specified area. After finding an acceptable ratio (Preferably 60% or higher) you place a small mine on top of the probe, and with a few turns later you are reaping the benefits.

Of course that would be too simple, so to add a wrinkle to the gameplay reality becomes a key factor. Mines and other buildings don’t work without the necessary resources, which plainly put means you will usually have to pick your spots to build very strategically.

Electricity is as big a deal on the moon as it is on earth, which is why solar plants must be built early on. Workers obviously need oxygen to breathe so its the main purpose of building an oxygen plant. And to round out the three necessary buildings is the inflatable home, for your busy worker bees to bunk at. The three buildings can network and use each others resources if built close together, otherwise you will be making big investments in connection tubes.

Other ways of making money include tourists attractions, limited to a few choices at first, gamers will eventually get the full enchilada putting the moon eventually on the same course earth is.

However the majority of money will come from mining for resources, and storing them in the various warehouses you will build. Tools to transport the materials back to earth are available, but don’t come cheap (when you factor in what you have already spent to begin with)

Moon Tycoon Graphics

No where near revolutionary for its visuals, but still a big step for tycoon games with the 3d graphics. This would qualify as first generation 3d, complete with blocky polygons. Since Moon Tycoon doesn’t include the usual low range 2d graphics that fans are used to, then be prepared for some slowdown in certain areas.

As nice as the addition of 3d is, Moon Tycoon still could’ve used a facelift overall in its graphics presentation.

Moon Tycoon Sound

A strange mix which includes both fast and slow tracks, but nothing memorable enough, nor annoying enough, to be noteworthy. Everything hums along in the background, and wouldn’t make a difference if there was no music at all. Of course the music is optional from the menu, and should fit some, if not all tastes.

Moon Tycoon Summing up

Adjustable difficulty levels from the start makes this a winner for all age groups, but the slow pace is definitely an acquired taste. A lot of thought went into the title, yet some key things got left out.

From a graphics standpoint, it is a milestone for the series, yet a step back by alienating the casual gamer who has yet to step into the 20th century. Not demanding specifications, but surely enough to cause slowdown on the average ‘tycoon fan-boys’ computer.

And of course, the lack of interaction with the exact people you are pleasing, makes your effort seem a lot less pleasing. Overall a Moon Tycoon is a good game, but nothing worth rushing to the store for.

Moon Tycoon cost

The game retails for $34.98, at the time of this review.