Moons of Darsalon | PS5 Review

I have fond memories of gaming in the 80s. My first “console” was the Atari 400 which was graphically superior to the 2600. It was an 8-bit system although not as refined as the Nintendo a few years later. When Moons of Darsalon came up for review, I immediately felt those early generation system vibes and was interested. Then I saw that they threw in some comic relief and later-gen quality and added that into a story which already made me want to try it. So, here we are!

Moons of Darsalon is a retro-inspired action-puzzle platformer that immediately gives off strong next-gen Atari vibes—somewhere between the 800 and 7800 era. Brought to us by Dr. Kucho! Games and published by Astrolabe Games, Moons of Darsalon brings a quirky mix of pixel art, voice files and an unexpectedly familiar 8-bit style soundtrack that includes a surf rock classic (Miserlou by Dick Dale). The game is a unique throwback with modern mechanics. But does its gameplay hold up, or does it get lost in its own old-school charm?

Simple Story Lets You Jump Right In

The game puts you in the role of a rescue pilot tasked with guiding hapless astronauts, the “Darsanauts,” to safety. Each level has multiple objectives: keep the crew alive, finish within a tight time limit, prevent injuries, and sometimes even coordinate getting all Darsanauts to the goal simultaneously. It’s a simple premise, but the challenge quickly ramps up as you navigate increasingly treacherous environments. 

That Gosh Darn Jump Button

The controls take some getting used to, and the initial button assignments leave much to be desired. The game defaults the jump button to L2, a baffling choice that makes platforming feel awkward. Even the developers included a thought bubble questioning the button assignment. Seriously, trying to jump with L2 while also using the control stick to move or aim felt like a contortionist’s dream. Eventually, switching the jump button to R1 made the experience far more playable. That said, the jump-and-grab mechanics remain somewhat sloppy.

Furthermore, the Darsanauts themselves are frustratingly dim-witted. They don’t always listen and often forget their instructions, leading to frequent (and often hilarious) deaths for them or, in some cases, me. Thankfully, you don’t have to rescue them all. Moons of Darsalon gives you lofty goals but beating each level has minimum requirements which make it much more palatable. Those time goals, for instance, are virtually impossible, especially on the first run; thankfully, they are never required to beat the level.

The game doesn’t hold your hand, which is both a blessing and a curse. For example, in Level 3, I didn’t realize the gun could break rocks because I assumed it was only for enemies. Figuring things out on your own is part of the challenge, but it can lead to some trial-and-error frustration. Fortunately, you have a variety of tools to help, including a flashlight, a laser weapon, a ground-making tool, and a jetpack.

Music and Visuals are 8-bit Greatness!

The game’s aesthetic is pure retro goodness, delivering a pixelated charm that feels like an evolution of classic Atari-era games. The music selection is both fitting and surprising, with the inclusion of Miserlou giving it a distinct personality. Voice clips and other sound effects add to the experience, making the world feel more alive despite its simplistic visual style. 

Final Verdict

Moons of Darsalon is a fun but occasionally frustrating throwback to old-school platformers. Its unique art style, music, and challenging mechanics make it worth a look for fans of retro games. However, the clunky controls and less-than-intelligent AI can make some moments more annoying than enjoyable. If you’re up for a challenge and don’t mind figuring things out the hard way, it’s an adventure worth taking—just be prepared to yell at your Darsanauts.

To hear me talk more about Moons of Darsalon, be sure to listen to the February 12, 2025 episode of The Gaming Outsider podcast around the 1:15:16 time stamp.

This review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy of Moons of Darsalon provided by Jesus Fabre for coverage purposes. It is also available on PlayStation 4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.