Space Moth: Lunar Edition

It's OK. The stages way overstay their welcome with repetitive enemies that work individually but dont really work together that well. Bosse patterns shine in this game though. Technically well executed, with lots of options, good scanline shader and control setup and UI.

I've played this for 15 hours on another account. I love this game! Fun, dynamic, and beautiful bullet patterns! Interesting scoring system! It has tate mode (for vertical monitors), and it plays nice with my Saturn USB pad. The colorful, psychedelic graphics look great too. Who doesn't love moths?

fun little cave-inspired doujin. theres two gimmicks to the scoring, part of it is bullet cancels with this special zone thing you can activate which raises your mult, the other half is using your rapid fire to soul drain enemies, making them shoot much harder patterns, and then killing them with laser for big score. it didnt appeal to me enough to go any further than 100% achievements and a quick 18m score, but it's relatively interesting and definitely should appeal to someone. i kind of wish bombing didnt take away your skull mode meter, because currently bomb spamming final boss and settling for 1x for the final boss defeat bonus seems best for score, while it would be cool to have an aspect of bomb spamming it then using skull mode right at the end to get back to 24x multiplier for the bonus. the survival play is decent, though quite easy, and one of the achievements has an incorrect description on steam (but a correct one ingame.)

A true little gem with a clever, addicting scoring system, precise controls, and a simplistic but satisfying neon-ethereal audio-visual presentation. Loved it. However, the lack of an online leaderboard is a missed opportunity.

Great shmup with an identity. Clearly inspired by Mushihimesama and kosmische music it carves a clear path for itself - especially with its unique scoring system that is integral to the survival gameplay. At first I wasn't big on visual and sound feedback lacking impact but it works as a more trancelike, meditative alternative to full on action Cave games.

나비가 우주까지 가서 우주선을 상대하는... 탄막 슈팅 게임을 좋아한다면 무난하게 즐길 수 있을 듯합니다. 다른 슈팅 게임과 차별을 두려고 만든 스컬 모드가 자체 난이도를 올주기도 하고요. 그냥 해도 어렵지만 플레이어 피격 판정이 너무 작아서 의외로 잘 피해지는 면도 있더군요. 개인적으로 원가에는 조금 아깝고 세일 50퍼 이상일 때 사면 무난하게 즐길 수 있을 듯합니다.

30 years after Tyrian and nobody can make a decent vertically scrolling shoot 'em up.

“What’s the objective of the game?” In Space Moth: Lunar Edition, your goal is simple: blast your way through waves of enemies and survive to the end of the game’s stages while racking up the highest score possible. As a shmup, clearing levels is just part of the challenge—mastering the mechanics and squeezing every point out of the scoring system is where the depth lies. “What tools do you have to achieve this?” Your ship comes equipped with two main attack types: a normal shot and a focus shot, similar to what you’d see in classic Cave shooters like DoDonPachi. On top of that, the game introduces a unique special ability that revolves around your normal shot. As you fire, a white ring grows around your ship and gradually charges your ability. Once the ring becomes rainbow-colored, it’s fully charged. Activating it allows you to absorb enemy bullets for a brief window, boosting your score significantly. This makes clever use of your normal shot and special ability key for hitting high scores. You’re also given a limited number of screen-clearing bombs. These provide a safety net by granting temporary invincibility and clearing bullets from the screen in tight situations. Bombs can also help strategically during boss fights or dense bullet patterns. “What’s the gameplay feel like?” The gameplay has a distinct Mushihimesama vibe, thanks to its insect-themed setting and bright, vibrant visuals. Bullet patterns in Space Moth are a blend of static, aimed, and what feels like “random” designs, some reminiscent of Crimzon Clover or other shmups. This mix makes each stage feel varied and keeps you on your toes. Stage 3 stood out to me in particular, thanks to its gorgeous colors and well-designed patterns. The visuals across the board are bright, colorful, and energetic, helping to create a unique identity for the game. “Is the game difficult?” There’s no explicit difficulty selection in Space Moth: Lunar Edition. However, the game’s clever design lets you adjust the challenge level through your playstyle. If you focus on survival without worrying about score, it’s not too hard to clear the game. Mastering the scoring mechanics, on the other hand, adds an extra layer of challenge for more experienced players. For reference, it took me about 6 hours of practice and runs to achieve my first 1CC. Understanding the mechanics and not stressing about scoring made the process feel accessible but still rewarding. “What other features stand out?” The game includes a Training Mode, which is perfect for practicing individual stages or bosses. It’s a great feature for players who want to refine their skills without needing to replay the entire game. The soundtrack deserves a mention as well. The music is laid-back and fits the game’s tone, complementing the colorful visuals and creating a chill yet engaging atmosphere. “Final Thoughts?” Space Moth: Lunar Edition is a fantastic shmup that combines classic mechanics with unique features, like its special ability system, to create a memorable experience. It strikes a nice balance between accessibility and depth. The game reminded me of the best aspects of Mushihimesama while introducing its own ideas. I really hope the developers follow this up with a sequel—this one is too good not to continue!

Cool, unusual soundtrack and lots of cool bugs. It a fun bullet hell, check it out!