Stray Children: The Dream Successor to Onion Games' Moon
For years, fans of avant-garde Japanese games have whispered about a true follow-up to a cult classic, a game that challenged the very definition of an RPG. That classic was *Moon: Remix RPG Adventure*, and the dream of a successor is a powerful one. A recent buzz, centered around the name "Stray Children," has reignited this conversation, with one sentiment perfectly capturing the community's hope: "Stray Children is basically everything I wanted from a successor to *Moon*."
While Onion Games, the celebrated studio behind *Moon*'s modern revival, has not officially announced a project with this title, the very idea of "Stray Children" serves as a perfect vessel for everything fans desire. It represents a hope for a new adventure steeped in the strange, heartfelt, and utterly unique philosophy that only Onion Games can provide. Let’s explore the legacy that fuels this dream and what a game like "Stray Children" would need to be to capture our hearts all over again.
The Enduring Legacy of Moon
To understand the anticipation for a game like "Stray Children," you have to understand its spiritual predecessor. Originally released in Japan in 1997 for the PlayStation, *Moon: Remix RPG Adventure* was an "anti-RPG" that turned the genre's tropes upside down. Instead of playing as a world-saving hero slaying monsters, you were a young boy sucked into a video game world. Your mission wasn't to gain experience points through combat, but to gain "Love" by helping the world's quirky inhabitants and healing the souls of the creatures the so-called "hero" had slain.
*Moon*'s core tenets were:
- Non-violent gameplay: The central mechanic revolved around observation, puzzle-solving, and helping people, not fighting them.
- A living world: Characters and events operated on a strict in-game calendar and clock, making the world feel alive and persistent.
- Unforgettable characters: The cast was a collection of bizarre, hilarious, and often touching individuals, from a flying fish who delivers mail to a man who lives in a garbage can.
- A unique aesthetic: The game blended beautiful pixel art with a striking claymation art style for its characters, creating a look that remains iconic to this day.
It was a game about finding the beauty in the mundane and showing compassion to the overlooked. This profound emotional core is exactly what players hope to see reborn in a project like "Stray Children."
Deconstructing the "Stray Children" Dream
The name itself, "Stray Children," is evocative and perfectly aligned with the themes of Onion Games. It conjures images of lost souls, found family, and the journey of discovering where you belong. This aligns beautifully with *Moon*'s story of an unseen boy finding his purpose by mending a broken world.
A hypothetical "Stray Children" could explore these themes literally or metaphorically. We can imagine a game where you guide a cast of lost kids, each with their own fears and dreams, helping them find their way home or create a new one together. Alternatively, it could be a more abstract tale where all the characters, even the adults, are "stray" in some way—disconnected and looking for their purpose. This rich, emotional territory is the perfect playground for the creative minds at Onion Games.
What Gameplay Could Look Like
If "Stray Children" is to be "everything I wanted from a successor," its gameplay would need to be a thoughtful evolution of *Moon*'s anti-RPG principles. It wouldn't be about grinding levels or defeating a dark lord, but about interacting with the world on a deeper, more personal level.
We would expect to see:
- An Evolution of "Love": The core progression system would likely revolve around a non-traditional metric, similar to *Moon*'s "Love." Perhaps you would collect "Memories," "Bonds," or "Sparks" by solving problems, uncovering secrets, and making meaningful connections with NPCs.
- Deep NPC Interaction: The heart of the game would be its characters. We would want to see complex individuals with their own routines, desires, and multi-layered quests that unfold over time. The goal would be to understand them, not just use them for rewards.
- A Focus on Discovery: The world itself should be a puzzle. Secrets would be hidden not behind combat gates, but behind observation and curiosity. Learning the rhythm of the world—when a certain flower blooms, where a specific character goes on a rainy day—would be key to unlocking its deepest mysteries.
- Signature Humor and Heart: Above all, it must retain that signature Onion Games charm—a mix of surreal humor, bizarre situations, and moments of surprising, gut-punching emotion.
The Brilliant Minds at Onion Games
The reason the mere idea of "Stray Children" can generate such excitement is the immense trust players have in the creative team at Onion Games. Led by industry legend Yoshiro Kimura, the studio has consistently produced games that defy convention.
From the awkward love story of *Chulip* to the operatic shoot-'em-up *Black Bird* and the puzzle-RPG madness of *Dandy Dungeon*, their portfolio is a testament to creative freedom. Kimura and his team are masters of crafting experiences that are mechanically simple but emotionally complex. They are some of the brightest and most vital creative voices in the industry, and any new project from them is cause for celebration.
While the world waits and dreams of "Stray Children," we can only hope that Onion Games is listening. The desire for a new adventure filled with love, kindness, and a healthy dose of weirdness is stronger than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions about Onion Games
Has Onion Games announced an official successor to Moon?
As of now, Onion Games has not officially announced a direct sequel or spiritual successor to *Moon: Remix RPG Adventure*. "Stray Children" remains a speculative title that represents the fan community's hopes for a future project.
What is the most recent game from Onion Games?
The studio's most recent major release is *Mon Amour*, a quirky, one-button "flappy kissing game" that showcases their signature bizarre and charming style.
What platforms does Onion Games develop for?
Onion Games has released titles on a variety of platforms over the years, including PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. They have shown a strong commitment to making their unique games accessible to a wide audience.