RPGs where phases of the moon matter

[rusty_shackleford]

List RPGs where the phase of the moon has some effect on the game.
And you can't mention any of the Ultima games!

[Lich]

Shin Megami Tensei games

[rusty_shackleford]

In Project Gorgon, moon phases have at least two separate effects last time I played.
During full moons, anyone who is a werewolf (irreversible) is forced into wolf form for the duration.
And mushroom growing works based upon the phases of the moon.


These are both tied to IRL moon phases, not in-game time.

And yes, being forced into animal form has a big impact. You can't interact with most NPCs, even NPCs that may interact with you if you were in a different animal form because you're a scary wolf.
You can use the animal town tho

[rusty_shackleford]

This is one of those esoteric things that adds a lot of depth to the world. It's not really about it being tied to the moon, just an esoteric mechanic that is cool.

Like resources you can only collect at certain times of the day

[Norfleet]

Outside of werewolf-themed games, I can't really think of anything where the moon, real or in-game, has any particularly relevant impact on gameplay. The only game I can think of which assigns much in the way of relevance to moon phases was Sims 4, where the moon phase affects the various occults. And, naturally, the entire thing was introduced with Werewolves. You decide whether it even qualifies as an RPG in any way, though.

[J1M]

People believe this to be true in Final Fantasy XIV, and whether it is or not, since it is an MMO it affects the game.

[Oyster Sauce]

I remember Personal having esoteric moon mechanics

https://megamitensei.fandom.com/wiki/Moon_Phase_System

[Dorateen]

The SSI GoldBox Dragonlance trilogy, of course.

Champions of Krynn, Death Knights of Krynn, and Dark Queen of Krynn.

In the Dragonlance setting, there were three moons that governed the spheres of Magic: White, Red, and Black. Magic-users in Krynn gained powers from following one of the gods represented by these moons. Their magic was then influences by the waxing and waning phases.

In the cRPGs, this element was brilliantly incorporated in the GUI, and mage characters would receive bonuses or receive negative effects depending on the phase of the moon of his alignment.

[Val the Moofia Boss]

Final Fantasy XI: the outer doors in the Sanctuary of Zi'tah only open during the full moon, so just for 20 minutes once every couple real life days or something like that. Finding a tracker of this depending upon the private server you are on is very annoying, if it exists. This short window of opportunity was very tense when I was having to collect items for the quest that lets you fight all five of the Ark Angels at once.

[Tweed]

Nethack. Playing during a full moon gives you luck, but also makes werecreatures a *****.

[Bhaalspawn Jr]

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

"The battle system uses a new feature called the 'Age of the Moon', reflecting the game's lunar phases changing with each rest at an inn, or over a set period of in-game time. The altering phases change physical and magical attack powers for both player characters and enemies. Certain rare monsters also only appear during certain lunar phases."

[Kalarion]

Val already mentioned one way FF XI ties the moon phase into gameplay, there are numerous other examples of it; many doors only open during certain moon phases, certain monsters will only appear during one phase or another, etc.

But it also affects crafting and magic. Dark Magic, for instance, is stronger during the full and waxing gibbous moon. Crafting has a higher chance of being High Quality during a New Moon, but lower chance of success, and vice versa during Full Moon.

Caves of Lore has a fully-fleshed moon system as well. Its most important aspect of integration is different astral objects (the game tracks 3 moons and the sun) reveal treasures, secret doors and openings depending on their phase and relation to each other. But it also affects magic, and certain feats depend on moon phase for their function. In practice the biggest effect is secrets and treasures.