This Day in Games: October 30, 2023

By NewGamer

On October 30, 2023, just as fall chills filled the air and Halloween crept closer, Lunacid rose from indie development into the spotlight. Coinciding with the spooky holiday season, it follows in the footsteps of other eerie games like Dead by Daylight (2016) and The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan (2020), aiming to grab attention during the year’s most haunted time.

Journey into the Great Well

In Lunacid, you wake up at the bottom of the Great Well—a dark, cursed pit filled with lost souls and strange monsters. The surface world, poisoned and covered by the Great Beast’s toxic fog, has rejected you. Therefore, your only chance lies with the sleeping Old One deep below. As you progress, glowing signs and strange symbols guide you through vast tunnels filled with danger and secrets.

Screenshot 1

Gameplay Mechanics

  • First-Person Action RPG: Inspired by King’s Field and Shadow Tower, Lunacid brings back the slow, careful style of ‘90s dungeon games.
  • Heavy, Hands-On Combat: No rolling to dodge—just careful swings, steps, and blocks. Interestingly, you can aim for weak spots, like ankles or armor joints, for more strategy.
  • Magic and Weaknesses: Enemies react differently to fire, acid, or magic. Because of this, learning their patterns and planning attacks pays off.
  • Class Choices: Play as a thief, knight, cleric, or a unique vampire class. Each one has different gear and skills.
  • Puzzles and Secrets: It’s not just about hidden treasure—some secret areas are full extra levels. In fact, you’ll need sharp eyes and a good memory to find and unlock them.

Visuals & Audio

Lunacid uses old-school pixel textures with dark colors to create a moody feel. However, modern lighting and effects make it feel deep and alive. You’ll hear silence broken by strange sounds—like distant footsteps or creepy groans. Notably, Akuma Kira’s ambient music fits the mood perfectly, making your journey feel lonely and intense.

Screenshot 2

User Reviews & Reception

With a 94% “Very Positive” rating from recent reviews and 91% overall from over 8,000 players, Lunacid has made a strong impression. Players especially appreciate:

  • Atmosphere: Every hallway feels full of danger and discovery.
  • Smart Puzzle Design: The hidden spots are memorable and really clever.
  • Classic Combat Feel: Feels heavy and real—like swinging a big sword.

On the flip side, criticisms of Lunacid focus on:

  • Hard for New Players: Beginners might find it tough, since the game doesn’t offer much help.
  • Old UI: Managing items can feel slow and clunky.
  • Performance Issues: Some frame drops happen when the screen gets busy with effects.

Screenshot 3

Industry Impact

Lunacid taps into players’ love for old-style first-person dungeon games. As a result, it shows how small indie teams can bring classic ideas back to life. Consequently, its success might push more mid-sized studios to try mixing retro gameplay with today’s tools.

Final Thoughts

As Halloween fades, Lunacid proves that slow, dark dungeon crawlers still have power. Whether you played King’s Field years ago or are just starting out with creepy adventures, the Great Well is calling. Just don’t forget to save often—mimics love to snack on your unguarded loot.

Add Lunacid to your Steam collection!