“Against The Moon” for Mac: Complete Operation Guide

I. Core Interface and Workspace Detailed Explanation

The main game interface consists of multiple functional areas, and understanding its layout is the foundation for efficient gameplay.

1.1 Main Interface Layout

• Central Combat Area: Located in the center of the screen, displaying the currently encountered enemies, your units, and combat animations. Unit health values and status effects will be displayed below the character models.
• Player Information Panel (Left Side): Displays the commander’s health, current energy (used to play cards), core resources (such as “Power,” “Data,” etc.), as well as special items or buff effects held.
• Hand Card Area (Bottom): Horizontally displays the cards currently available to play. The upper left corner of each card shows the energy cost, and the lower right corner has quick reference information. Hover the mouse to view the full card description.
• Tactical Map/Base View (Non-Combat): In Campaign mode, the screen switches to a top-down view of the lunar base or a node-based strategic map. Here, players choose their advance route, enter shops, laboratories, or random event nodes.
• Unit & Tech Panel (Right Side): On the base interface, this panel displays recruited units, available tech upgrade options, and the current deck composition.
• Menu & Log Buttons (Top Right): Contains entry points for settings, game save/load, combat log, and the Codex.

II. Complete Operation Flow: From Start to Export (Completing One Playthrough)

The following flow uses starting a new Campaign as an example.

2.1 Create/Start a New Game

Location: Main menu → “New Game” or “Campaign”.

1. Launch the game and click “Campaign” on the main menu.
2. Select the game difficulty (typically options such as “Standard” and “Challenge”).
3. Select the initial commander character (e.g., “Engineer”, “Commander”, etc.); each character has a unique starting deck and units.
4. Click “Start”, and the game generates a random map with checkpoints, officially beginning the flow.

2.2 Strategic Map Phase Operations

Core Action: Plan your forward route on the node-based map.

1. The map consists of multiple nodes (icons) and connecting lines. Use left-click on a target node to move.
2. Node types:
   • Combat (red skull icon): Enter a tactical battle.
   • Shop (shopping cart icon): Spend resources to buy new cards, units, or items.
   • Laboratory (beaker icon): Consume “Data” resources to permanently upgrade technology or enhance cards.
   • Event (question mark icon): Trigger random story events, usually requiring you to make a choice.
   • Rest Site (medical cross icon): Restore HP to all units, and may offer extra services such as card removal.
   • Boss Fight (large special icon): The end of the stage; defeat it to advance to the next area.
3. On the right-side panel of the screen, you can view your current Deck, Units, and resources at any time.

2.3 Combat Phase Operations

Core Objective: Use your hand cards and command your units to eliminate all enemies.

1. Turn Start: At the start of each turn, energy is automatically refilled, and cards are drawn from your deck up to your hand limit (usually 5-6 cards).
2. Playing Cards:
   • Left-click a card in your hand and drag it to the target unit or area (highlighted), then release the mouse to play it. Shortcut: number keys 1-5 correspond to hand positions from left to right.
   • Cards require energy to play (number in the top-left corner). If you don’t have enough energy, you cannot play the card.
3. Unit Commands: Some cards will command specific units to attack or use abilities. After a unit attacks, an “Already Acted” indicator will appear below its model.
4. End Turn: When you have finished all actions for this turn, click the “End Turn” button in the bottom-right corner of the screen (or press the Spacebar shortcut). The enemy will then execute their actions.
5. Combat Victory: After defeating all enemies, a spoils selection screen will appear. You can usually choose one card from several random cards to add to your deck, and receive resource rewards.

2.4 Base Management (Shop, Laboratory)

Location: A dedicated interface that opens after entering the corresponding node.

1. Shop: The interface lists purchasable cards, units, or items. Click an item to view details, click again (or click the “Buy” button) and confirm to spend resources on the purchase. Press ESC to exit the shop.
2. Laboratory: The interface displays a list of researchable tech trees or upgradeable cards. Click on a research project to view its effects and “data” cost, then click the “Research” button to permanently unlock it.

2.5 Completing a Run (“Export”/End)

The game is played in “runs” or “battles” until victory or defeat.

1. Victory condition: Defeat the boss of the final zone. The game will display a victory summary screen showing various stats from this run.
2. Defeat condition: The commander’s health reaches zero. The game ends and a defeat screen is displayed.
3. On the victory or defeat screen, you can choose:
   • “Return to Main Menu”: End this run and return to the main screen.
   • “Play Again”: Immediately start a new randomized run.
4. Game progress (such as unlocked commanders and technologies) is saved automatically.

III. Advanced Tips for Common Features

• Card Preview & Quick Look: Outside of combat (such as in the shop or laboratory), hover your mouse over any card and hold the Command (⌘) key to display that card’s upgraded form, making it easier to decide.
• Combat Speed Adjustment: On the combat screen, press the + or - key to speed up or slow down the combat animation, saving time.
• Precise Target Selection: When multiple enemies overlap or are positioned close together, use the Tab key to cycle through all selectable targets, and confirm your selection with the mouse.
• Maximize Information: Press the C key at any time to open the “Codex” and look up detailed mechanics for all enemies, cards, and statuses you are currently encountering—this is key to formulating strategy.
• Resource Management Priority: In the early game, “Data” resources should be prioritized for unlocking key technologies in the laboratory (such as extra energy capacity, core unit upgrades) rather than blindly purchasing shop cards, in order to build a long-term advantage.

IV. Common Issues and Solutions