Eye of the Moon is a stunning debut by Ate Maarte, earning a spot in the upper echelons of interactive fiction (where works such as A Tale of Crowns, Project Hadea, and A Mage Reborn also belong) with just the prologue and first chapter under its belt. From the opening words, I took a deep breath and plunged headfirst, like a sailor taking to the deep blue waters, into a rich and immersive world teeming with color and life. EOTM feels like the transient boundary where sky and land meet. It is an enduring love letter to the culture and natural beauty of the pre-colonial Philippines, a way for Ate Maarte and fellow Filipinos to connect with the stories told in a distant past.
EOTM's prose is just as striking as its visual presentation: bold, powerful, and evocative. Ate Maarte writes with a deft and confident hand, joyfully painting moving scenes and landscapes across the infinite canvas of her work. I could not help but linger longingly on the loving descriptions of the traditional Filipino cuisine featured in certain parts of the story, so detailed and expressive that Ate Maarte evidently remembers these dishes herself with fondness. The graceful prose effortlessly balances the plot with vivid imagery, smooth dialogue, and well-established characters.
Both EOTM's setting and worldbuilding benefit immensely from the strength of Ate Maarte's prose. She establishes the physical context for the Moonfinder quickly and efficiently, leaving a strong impression that the Moonfinder has indeed traversed these divine domains for many years. Like the Moonfinder, I would love to wake up to pristine weather and meander around the terraces or go for a walk along the river.
Speaking of our MC, I should mention that the Moonfinder is no blank slate. The Moonfinder has been around for literal centuries, so it would be rather strange not to have a clear personality by now. Ate Maarte turns this trait into a strength through the game's customization, which allows for distinct variations in appearance, personality, and relationship management approaches. In Chapter One alone, I enjoyed the variety in the dialogue, choices, and subsequent responses from MC's parents and the first LI, Duma. I already plan to make several save files for different pursuits, such as the friendships, solo romances, and poly between Tala and Duma.
The relationships in EOTM are a highlight of the work for me. What stands out about EOTM is that I can work on managing the relationship between Moonfinder and their parents, the beloved pair of Mapulon and Lakapati. They clearly invented Good Parenting, and I love that the MC can potentially take on character traits similar to their parents, an accurate reflection of what can happen in real life. While I am not SEA, I am the child of immigrants that also value the bonds of family and so, I notice many things in EOTM that I value and want out of my own relationships. As for the Romance™, I believe that I can aptly summarize my feelings about Duma with this: I am a lesbian through and through, but I would not hesitate to make an exception for the god of mountains and hunting.
By Tala, this can't be happening.
On a more serious note, Duma and the MC have had a prior point of connection in MC's parents. There is the possibility of Something More, but the Moonfinder should keep a good head on their shoulders and act wisely around Duma, who exudes competence so rarely seen in Men (derogatory). The banter between Moonfinder and Duma is delightful, and I so appreciated the different contexts and lens through which the MC can view Duma. You can feel spiteful toward his cool demeanor, attracted to his devastatingly good looks, or responsible for living up to his high expectations. The romance between Moonfinder and Duma is bound to be a slow burn, so strap the hell in.
What I might love the most of all about EOTM is that Ate Maarte has taken the beloved lore of pre-colonial Philippines and written her own original take on the famous myth of Apolaki and Mayari. Chapter One sets the foundation of EOTM's divine world in a way that feels distinctly mortal somehow, like a charming slice of life vibe. That being said, EOTM's prologue does a great deal of work in setting up the main threads of the plot. You can tell from the first scene what will emerge later down the line as major points of contention. Nothing that happens later in the story should come as a huge surprise if you are a careful reader, as far as I can tell.
All said, Eye of the Moon is a fantastic debut by a rising star in the IF community.