Developer: Starbrew Games
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), Switch
Genre: Adventure, Casual
Publisher: Starbrew Games
Duck Side of the Moon is a cosy space adventure developed and published by Starbrew Games. The game follows Doug, an overworked duck astronaut who accidentally falls asleep while piloting his ship. Things quickly go from bad to worse when an asteroid crashes into the vessel, forcing him to make an emergency landing on a strange planet. With his ship in pieces, Doug sets out to gather resources, meet the locals, and hopefully find a way back home.
From the moment I started playing Duck Side of the Moon, it reminded me a lot of Lil Gator Game. It’s the kind of experience that’s all about exploring at your own pace, chatting with quirky characters, completing side quests, and uncovering secrets hidden around the world. The planet Doug crashes on is inhabited by the Geodudes, lovable rock-like creatures who are just as chaotic as they are friendly. Their love of parties has left parts of their world in shambles, making Doug’s shipwreck feel surprisingly fitting.
The story itself is simple but charming. Rather than throwing a huge narrative at you, the game slowly reveals more about Doug through conversations, collectables, hidden lore pages, and memories from his past. It’s a subtle approach that works really well, especially when paired with the game’s humour. There were plenty of moments that genuinely made me smile, and the Geodudes are full of personality.
Exploration is where the game really shines. As you gather resources, complete quests, and unlock new abilities, more areas of the planet become accessible. There are puzzles scattered throughout the world that often require creative thinking to reach their solutions. Some involve activating switches, while others make use of the environment or abilities you’ve unlocked along the way. The difficulty gradually increases as you progress, but nothing ever feels frustrating or overly complicated. Even when I got stuck, a bit of backtracking or experimentation usually led me to the answer.
One of my favourite parts of the game was the flying mechanic. Since Doug is in space, movement feels incredibly light and smooth, and gliding around the world is genuinely satisfying. It perfectly captures the feeling of floating through space while still giving you enough control to explore comfortably. That said, it did take me a little while to fully adjust to the controls, especially when switching between movement and interaction inputs.
Customisation is another area where Duck Side of the Moon offers a surprising amount of depth. The outfits available for Doug are absolutely adorable, and I found myself constantly swapping between them. There are also music discs to collect, lore pages to discover, and a fairly extensive crafting system that encourages exploration. Resources can be gathered through quests or found on smaller islands dotted around the world.
I also loved being able to customise Doug’s ship. As you progress, you can unlock new rooms and craft furniture to make the space feel more lived in and personal. It’s a small feature, but it adds a lot to the cosy atmosphere the game is going for.
The overall vibe of Duck Side of the Moon is incredibly relaxing. Whether you’re gathering materials, helping out the Geodudes, completing side quests, or taking part in the occasional mini-game, the game never feels stressful. It’s the perfect title to unwind with after a long day. The soundtrack also deserves a mention, as it does a fantastic job of reinforcing the game’s laid-back atmosphere.
My only real complaint is that some areas can’t be revisited later in the game. As someone who enjoys hunting collectables and achievements, it was a little frustrating to realise I’d missed a few items with no way of going back. Thankfully, the game only took me around five hours to complete, so replaying it isn’t a huge commitment if you’re aiming for 100%. I can definitely see this game having a sequel or even a DLC with additional content for players to explore.
Duck Side of the Moon is a charming and wholesome adventure packed with fun exploration, rewarding collectables, enjoyable puzzles, and some fantastic customisation options. It doesn’t try to be a difficult or intense experience, and that’s exactly why it works so well. If you’re looking for a cosy game that lets you relax, explore, and spend time with some adorable rocky space folk, Duck Side of the Moon is definitely worth checking out!
Overall: 8/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
