Ep 28. Totally Accurate Battlegrounds and Moonlighter

In season 12 episode 28 of Zero Punctuation, game critic Yahtzee Croshaw reviews two games - Totally Accurate Battlegrounds and Moonlighter.

The episode starts with Croshaw discussing the popularity of Battle Royale genre among game developers and how each one tries to put a unique spin on it. This leads to the review of Totally Accurate Battlegrounds, a game developed by Landfall Games. Croshaw praises the game's ridiculousness and its physics-based gameplay where players can build structures and vehicles using objects found in the game world. He also appreciates the game's visual style and its satire of military shooters and Battle Royale games. However, Croshaw finds the game's matchmaking system and map design lacking and wishes for more game modes to add diversity.

Next, Croshaw reviews Moonlighter, an action-RPG developed by Digital Sun. The game has players take on the role of a shopkeeper by day and a dungeon explorer by night. Croshaw praises the game's charming visual style, music, and the sense of progression players get as they upgrade their shop and gear. However, he finds fault with the game's combat system which he feels is too simplistic and monotonous. He suggests that the game would benefit from more varied enemies and weapons.

Croshaw concludes the episode by pondering the recurring theme of simplicity versus complexity in game design and how developers need to strike a balance between the two. He recommends Totally Accurate Battlegrounds to players looking for a humorous take on the Battle Royale formula and Moonlighter to those looking for a relaxing RPG experience.