Independent studio Blue Lily has unveiled Moonlight Pale, a 2D hand-drawn survival horror game inspired by genre classics such as Silent Hill, Signalis, Rule of Rose, and RPG Maker horror titles. Alongside the reveal, the Guadalajara-based developer has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the game’s completion.
Moonlight Pale is currently targeting a Q4 2026 or Q1 2027 release on Steam with full Steam Deck support.
A Haunting Mystery Inside a 19th Century Seminary
Moonlight Pale follows Juliette, a student attending St. Birgitta’s female seminary in the late 1800s.
After following the ghost of her deceased cat into an abandoned building hidden within the school’s gardens, Juliette finds herself trapped in a nightmare filled with monsters, apparitions, and unsettling corridors that feel strangely familiar. Alongside her own struggle to survive, she must help other girls trapped within the mysterious structure.
The game blends psychological horror, exploration, and puzzle-solving while telling what Blue Lily describes as a tragic fairy tale.
Classic Survival Horror With Two Gameplay States
Moonlight Pale centers around two core gameplay modes.
In the “Search” state, players explore environments, gather items, and solve inventory-based puzzles. The “Caution” state slows movement and prioritizes survival, allowing players to dodge attacks, block incoming threats, and engage enemies in melee combat.
The system aims to capture the tension and deliberate pacing found in classic survival horror games while adapting them to a 2D perspective.
Fully Hand-Drawn Visuals
Every visual asset in Moonlight Pale has been illustrated, colored, and animated by artist Ao Clover.
The game’s hand-crafted art style gives it a distinctive storybook-like appearance while maintaining a dark and unsettling atmosphere. Screenshots released alongside the announcement showcase detailed character artwork, eerie interiors, and richly animated environments.
Music by Horror Veteran Arai Tasuku
The soundtrack is being composed by Arai Tasuku, whose credits include work on NieR: Automata, as well as collaborations with Mili and World’s End Girlfriend.
The music is expected to play a major role in establishing the game’s psychological horror tone.
Notable Voice Cast Confirmed
Moonlight Pale will feature fully voiced dialogue throughout its story.
The cast includes:
- Kira Buckland (NieR: Automata, Danganronpa)
- Lizzie Freeman (The Amazing Digital Circus, Lycoris Recoil)
- Diana Garnet (Little Goody Two Shoes, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls)
- Chiisa (Little Goody Two Shoes, Card-En-Ciel)
- Michelle Marie (NIKKE: Goddess of Victory, Zenless Zone Zero)
Voice work for Chapters 1 and 2 has already been completed.
Kickstarter Campaign Underway
Blue Lily is seeking approximately $16,000 USD in Kickstarter funding to finish development.
According to the studio, the game’s core systems are already implemented, and the full script has been completed. Backers can secure a copy of the game through campaign tiers, while higher reward levels include bonuses such as an art book, soundtrack, acrylic keychains, and sticker sets.
Stretch goals include additional language support, Mac and Linux versions, console ports for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, extra game modes, and additional animated cutscenes.
Moonlight Pale is planned to launch with English, Japanese, and Spanish localizations and is currently targeting a Steam release in late 2026 or early 2027.
