If you asked me to make a list of the most stressful video games of all time, Lunar Lander would definitely be near the top. The Atari classic is known for its minimalist tension, challenging players to delicately land spaceships on rocky planets. Those who played the game when it first launched likely have stories of their intense space-faring adventures, and now Atari is ready to introduce a new level of stress to players.
Lunar Lander Beyond is a reimagining of the classic Atari game by developer Dreams Incorporated. This modernized version features animated cutscenes, an XCOM-inspired character approach, and various new systems that reinvent the original formula. While it retains the stress of piloting a fragile spacecraft, it amplifies it to new heights.
Players navigate a tiny spaceship using thrusters to move in 360 degrees, requiring careful management of momentum. The addition of a stabilizer helps in stopping the ship, essential for tasks like collecting items or safe landings.
In Lunar Lander Beyond, players must also monitor their ship’s stress level, which increases upon collisions with walls or objects. Higher stress levels lead to strange visual effects, reminiscent of games like Dredge and Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem.
The game introduces a pilot management system that reflects the stress levels, requiring players to enroll stressed pilots in therapy to reduce their stress levels, which persist between missions. The hardest difficulty mode includes permadeath for an added challenge.
Lunar Lander Beyond retains the essence of the original while introducing new elements, such as diverse objectives and unique ship controls. Atari’s retro revivals have consistently built upon the classics, making this reimagined version a fitting addition to the catalog.
Prepare to experience the stress of the Atari age like never before when Lunar Lander Beyond launches on April 23 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
