Arcade Moonlander

Adventure· Racing· Exploration· Flight

Released Oct 2017

Explore space and race against the clock in this retro styled adventure game.

93% positive · 1,212 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

Medium confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

Medium confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 10 Oct 2026 $0.99

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Evaluation

Arcade Moonlander launched on October 25, 2017 and received a steady series of updates over the following years. The developer shipped two major content updates post-launch: version 2.0 on February 28, 2019 (adding 10 new arcade levels, reworked controller support, and various improvements) and the Procedural Update on June 30, 2020 (adding 10 more levels for a total of 30, plus a brand-new procedural level generator with multiple game modes). A follow-up patch on July 7, 2020 added leaderboards for the new procedural modes. The store description notes that the procedural map generator "is still in development" and that "future updates will see other map styles added," which reflects language present at the time of the June 2020 update. However, the last developer communication of any kind was that July 7, 2020 leaderboard patch — now nearly six years ago as of June 2026. There are no unreleased DLC listings, no announced roadmaps, no outstanding commitments, and no developer posts since mid-2020. The historical update cadence was roughly one major release per 12–16 months, and the silence since July 2020 far exceeds that window. The game has shipped as a complete product with three substantial content milestones, and no further content has been signaled since.

Evidence

Third major update shipped: 10 new arcade levels (bringing total to 30), new procedural level generator with multiple game modes (still in beta), landing mechanic improvements, and various fixes.

news post · Jun 30, 2020 source content shipped

high

Version 2.0 shipped with 10 new arcade levels, reworked controller support, physics improvements, and various bug fixes.

news post · Feb 28, 2019 source content shipped

high

Media

Details

Developer

Daniel Paul Griffin

Publisher

Back Of Nowhere Studios

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

partial support

Steam Deck

Not rated

Players

Single-player

Racing Exploration Flight Action Real-Time Arcade 2D Noir Adventure Pixel Graphics Sci-fi Space Physics Futuristic Retro

About this game

Arcade Moonlander is a challenge of precision and timing. Maneuver the craft to the landing pad before the fuel runs out. Be sure to land gently and vertically. And look out for satellites and space-worms! They will get you.

Arcade Mode has no time limit or lives, and the game saves progress automatically upon level completion. There are best times saved out for each level, as well as an overall best time for completing the 20 levels. Follow the radar toward your goal and access the tutorial at any time during play.

Adventure Mode encompasses a MUCH larger map and utilizes teleport pads to provide the player with a means of progression, as well as a checkpoint. You will encounter many more dynamic obstacles such as gravity wells, space worms, falling stalactites and more! There are also several paths through the level allowing players of all skill levels a rewarding experience. By discovering Fuel Tanks, it is also possible to complete all paths in one run for the die-hard fans. Use the mini-map to explore, locate and obtain your goals.

Procedural mode introduces a procedural level generator capable of providing an infinite number of levels. There are currently 3 different play modes. Quest, Time Trial and Practice. There is a leader board for Quest mode progress, and for Time Trial. Each game has a seed that can be used to replay those exact levels, or a random seed can be used for exploration. The procedural map generator is still in development and can currently only generate one style of map at varying difficulties. Future updates will see other map styles added to the generation capabilities.

Arcade Moonlander was designed for speed runs from the start and features a robust timing and score system. While secrets and hidden fuel tanks provide casual replay-ability.