The Mooseman Xbox One X Review

It's a hard question to describe The Mooseman. Largely it's a single-player adventure game with minor puzzles and little exploration. Much of the activity comes from the adventure itself as new information is slowly revealed through artifacts, in-game dialogue, and actions from the protagonist. Those who invest the time and effort into The Mooseman will find a deep narrative adventure.
 

The Mooseman tells the tale of a Russian tribe from the perspective of a Shaman capable of seeing into the spiritual world. Using this ability he can move past obstacles, solve puzzles, and witness things others cannot. Much of the story's lore is told through optional artifacts which are very difficult to locate. Some requiring specific movement inputs or interacting with the environment in cryptic ways. It also doesn't help that navigating the interface can be vexing.

The Mooseman can be seen as a 2D walking simulator, as the protagonist slowly moves through a black and white world while avoiding hostiles. There's no jumping and the walking speed is noticeably slow, which will frustrate a lot of gamers. Much of the interaction comes from a spiritual mask that opens new paths and exposes supernatural creatures that either aid or hinder the Shaman's progress.

The atmosphere stands out thanks to a strong soundtrack and art style. Both the graphics and soundtrack complement what's happening on screen. Conjuring emotional ties between the Shaman and what's happening on this journey.

Puzzles and small battles are littered throughout the game but these are simple. Usually involving the player to pull switches or use the Shaman's spiritual abilities in some way. It's nothing remarkable but it does break up the pace which is saturated with slow walking.
 

The Mooseman isn't a game for everyone. The puzzles are simple and the boss encounters unremarkable. The slow walking speed and lack of challenge can lead to vexed players just yearning for the end credits to roll. What makes The Mooseman stand out is the narrative, art style, and strong musical score. All of these combine for an emotional and engaging tale. 

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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