Lunars is a party board game from the fun minds at Anubis Arts. The game handles like Mario Party, only replace the star with Jade Buttons, just with chaos greeting every facet this game can cover. To the mini games, the maps and even the characters themselves. Now let’s roll this 12 sides die and see where this review will place.
The one party game where it’s okay to have more than one person choose the same character.
Gameplay
Before you start the game, you can start the process of customizing your zodiacs if you’d like. Since I was born on the year of the ram/sheep, I was the character the whole review. While my partner Lucifera who was born on year of the dragon. Playing the maps three times on Normal, while only one map on Blitz mode was actually fun. Getting to experiment and experience the unique effects and themes that come with each map. For example, the Medieval map has you not only has you deal with a dragon on the map, but a tax collector too. Which I’m glad they don’t have a lot of movement on the map when active.
Now, Lucifera and I have different feelings when it comes to the mini-games that Lunars offers. We both agree that any of the racing mini games don’t need a timer or needs a longer timer on it until someone reaches the end. There is also the mini-game race with the flowers, it has flowers that are higher than others and it’s hard to tell. The jump rope mini-game was one that we both enjoyed failing at. The last min-game I want to discuss it the hotpot mini-game.
The hotpot minigame was experienced with just the two of us and then we added bots to the mix. We understand that staying out of the liquid is that goal, but why does jumping on someone’s head also give them points?!
Audio and Graphics
Lucifera was actually smitten with the yarn like texture given to the zodiacs models. I did enjoy the the designs of each of the maps have these little signs of “Made from scratch”. Almost like a Dungeon Master who goes all out on presentation for their Dungeons and Dragon group. Especially when it came to the Medieval map and the Science map.
Now the audio was enjoyable to listen to at first, there is a noticeable indication that the song either loops or just ended completely. For example, during the mini-game race, the music just slowly fades away and never comes back. We’re just hearing each other’s silence and slight screams of pain when missing the grapple.
Longevity
The game lets you pick between 10 to 30 turns, and with a max of 8 players, the game will last a couple of hours. Lucifera and I gave each map 10 turns to get a feel for it and then choose our favorite from the 4. There is even the items that the game offers that could make the games go quicker or slower depending on your take. There’s even a battle pass that you can work on over time the more you play. Also, keep your eyes on that flying hippo. That that thing like to play favorites.
Final Thoughts
We both enjoyed the game even with the little flaws here and there. Blitz mode really is a chaotic mess, but would only recommend if you all wanted to get one more round in. The game is fun to play with other while on a discord call. I’ve honestly placed this game into my rotation of games to play with Lucifera and others like Repo or Peak. Even though the game will start Early Access on Jan 19th, I’ might change the award depending when 1.0 comes out.
I give Lunars the Thumb Culture Silver Award
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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