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Google’s Rise of the Half Moon is an interactive card game about linking phases of the Moon and scoring points against the Moon itself. The Doodle launched on Thursday, October 24, 2024, and remains an archived game rather than a new 2026 release. Google describes it as a monthly recurring game that tests your knowledge of the lunar cycle.
What is Google’s Rise of the Half Moon?
Google’s Doodle page calls Rise of the Half Moon a card game: you connect lunar phases to earn points while playing against the Half Moon. Its subject is not just the Moon’s appearance; the phase sequence is part of the game’s premise.
Google’s page presents the game as monthly recurring, but does not spell out a complete turn-by-turn rulebook in its description. It does not establish the deck composition, scoring formula, wildcard rules, or difficulty levels, so those details should not be assumed from the high-level premise.
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How do the Moon phases fit in?
The game uses “half moon” in the familiar, informal sense. Google notes that the phase is scientifically called a quarter moon: one quarter of the Moon is illuminated, even though it can look as if half of the visible disk is present.
#1 Best Overall
- Gamefound Success: Enjoy 60 minutes of magical potion-brewing strategy as your coven races to outshine your rivals, in a game that raised over $1.7 million on Gamefound.
- Brew Your Potion: Forage ingredients in the moonlit garden, barter with the mysterious Elder Witch, and arrange puzzles of Ingredients in your cauldron to prove your prowess.
- Outwit Your Rivals: Watch out for mischievous frogs and poisonous mushrooms as rivals try to snatch your ingredients or sabotage your brew before the moon completes its cycle.
- High-Quality Components: Includes 4 Witch's Huts, 30 Potion cards, 66 Basic and 14 Rare Ingredient tokens, Star Power tokens, 5 Garden tiles, a Witch's Hat, and a Rule Book.
- Great Gift for Strategy Fans:: A spellbinding mix of foraging, bartering, and puzzle-solving perfect for family game nights, ages 10 and up, with 2-4 players (2-6 with expansions).
- After first quarter, the Moon is waxing gibbous, growing brighter as it approaches full.
- After last quarter, it is waning gibbous, growing darker as it approaches new.
That sequence gives the card game its educational context: players are invited to recognize how phases follow one another through the lunar cycle.
Can you play a physical version?
Google’s Doodle archive shows a first paper prototype made from playing cards, evidence that physical cards were part of the design process—not evidence that Google sells an official retail deck. Community discussion includes fan interest and player-created tabletop adaptations, but does not verify an official physical edition or a currently available product.
Rank #2
- COMBINE CARDS TO CONQUER THE NIGHT - Players combine the phases of the moon and nocturnal animals to form cards into tricks.
- BEST PLAYED 2V2! - Lunar plays great as a 2v2 game. Sit across from each other, alternating players from each team.
- WORK TOGETHER - In Lunar, you'll have to play cleverly and have chemistry with your teammate to succeed.
- USE YOUR TURN WISELY! - Leading with a suit can be very advantageous, depending on the cards in players’ hands.
- PRAISE FOR LUNAR - "Really tense team trick taker... Solid keeper in a genre that's a bit flooded right now." BGG User behr77
If you are looking for a tabletop alternative, check whether a listing is genuinely about Moon phases, whether it supports solo or group play, and whether its rules and age guidance suit the people playing. Treat fan-made adaptations as unofficial unless a publisher or Google confirms otherwise.
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Google credits Nate Sandhart and Helene Leroux for art; Nate Sandhart and Winnie Ma for UX and design; Daniel Dovali, Jonathan Shneier, and Grant King for engineering; and Nick Zammuto for music and sound design. The listed Doodle team leads are Jessica Yu, Alyssa Winans, Nate Sandhart, Tom Tabanao, and Jacob Howcroft.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Strategic Trick-Taking Gameplay: Master unique character abilities and special powers that let you change the trump suit, lead after losing tricks, and outwit your opponent with clever card play
- Compact Travel-Friendly Design: Perfectly portable for date nights, vacations, and weekend getaways with its small box that fits easily in bags and luggage without sacrificing quality components
- Beautiful Illustrated Cards: Stunning fairy tale character artwork with intricate botanical details and elegant brushwork makes analyzing your options quick and enjoyable during each game
- Quick 30-Minute Sessions: Ideal for busy adults seeking meaningful screen-free connection without long rulebook learning curves or extended play commitments on weeknights
- Balanced 2-Player Experience: Expertly designed trick-taking mechanics ensure neither player gains unfair advantage, rewarding strategic thinking and creating intense memorable moments every game
Rank #4
- SCI-FI BOARDGAME: Immersive theme and beautiful art pull players into this fun strategic sci-fi game. Compete to build the most popular lunar base on the Moon.
- LUNAR COLONISATION: Moon imagines the first 100 years of lunar colonization, taking place over three eras in the game. Using the familiar “pick & pass” mechanism with a new twist, plus elements of worker placement, Moon is filled with crunchy decisions!
- INCREASING DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Gameplay begins at an easy level and becomes more complex over time.
- VARIABLE ELEMENTS keep each game feeling fresh and exciting with new opportunities to score points. Create satisfying combos with futuristic technology to score big bonuses.
Rank #3
- COOPERATIVE TIME-THEMED CHALLENGE: Work together to strategically place cards around a clock, solving unique puzzles with evolving difficulty.
- 40 INCREASINGLY CHALLENGING TESTS: Progress through 10 chapters, each with 4 unique tests, requiring communication, planning, and logical thinking.
- UNIQUE CARD PLACEMENT MECHANIC: Players must arrange Solar and Lunar cards face down around the clock while following specific rules to succeed.
- HIGHLY REPLAYABLE WITH TEAM STRATEGY: Plan, discuss, and adapt to new challenges as you play through multiple sessions, aiming to complete all 40 tests.
- PERFECT FOR FAMILIES & PUZZLE LOVERS: Designed for 1-4 players, ages 10 and up, offering engaging, thought-provoking gameplay for groups and solo play.
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