Game Review: Deliver us the Moon (Xbox One X)

Deliver us the Moon is an Action-Adventure video game that was developed by KeokeN Interactive & published by Wired Productions. It released in 2020. The game was partially funded via a successful Kick starter campaign in 2017.  Earth’s natural resources are depleted. This energy crisis requires a solution. Global powers create the World Space Agency. They secure a promising new source of energy on the moon. When communications with the moon go dark, the energy source is lost. You’re the last astronaut on Earth. You must investigate what happened to save humanity.

During this adventure, your only companion is a small robot named ASE. Together you will traverse the moon. You’ll explore abandoned facilities, gather clues and ultimately uncover the secrets and hidden agendas that are at play. You must rely on your wits. Only then will you have a chance at successfully delivering the moon.

While exploring the moon base you’ll uncover ruins of previous lunar missions that have many stories and secrets to tell. You can use your astronaut equipment to uncover the final moments of the lunar colony.

The primary gameplay mechanics revolve around solving environmental puzzles. The lunar bases have fallen into disrepair and have become a challenge to navigate. You’ll unlock tools to overcome obstacles and dangers blocking your path.

Deliver us the Moon is a really well constructed game. Who doesn’t dream of being an astronaut and traversing the mystical moon? This is the closest a game has come to making that dream feel like a reality. The story is simple enough and yet I really enjoyed witnessing it unfold. This is a sobering tale about humanity and our home, the Earth. We take it for granted but it’s something that we should never give up on. If you enjoy space stories as much as I do, you’ll have a wonderful time.

This game has elements that are similar to other titles such as; The Turing Test, Portal & Tacoma. The environments are well designed. There are loads of small details that give you an insight into the people that lived on the colony. It’s fascinating to contemplate what their lives were like.

The puzzles in the game are simplistic. Thankfully, none will hassle you for long. Deliver us the Moon has little to no enemies. However, it manages to generate a creepy atmosphere. The prospect of being completely alone in such a hard and desolate place is eerie. You’ll have to contend with depleting oxygen on occasion which delivers adrenaline filled moments. The sombre soundtrack does a really nice job of adding some emotion to proceedings.

There is an antagonist in the game but their role presents an interesting moral conundrum. You certainly feel the weight of humanities survival on your shoulders.

Additionally, visually the game is rough around the edges. You can tell that it’s a budget title but it didn’t bother me. Unfortunately, I suffered bad frame rate drops on occasion. This was problematic during platforming sections. Also, it’s essential that you adjust the X & Y sensitivity. The default for this setting makes the game feel very stiff. Still, it’s likely you’re supposed to feel some stiffness, you’re an astronaut after all. Although, it makes some sections frustrating to manoeuvre.

Overall, Deliver us the Moon is a casual puzzle game with a story that thoroughly sucked me in. It’s a delightful gem and one of the best space based games out there. It is available via Game Pass.