Amazon Luna: A Couple Months In

It’s been a couple months since I last touched Amazon Luna, and the truth is, I’m still waiting for it to truly blossom. I was hoping to see some exciting new features and developments, but we’re still stuck in this beta-like early access phase.

Technical Foundation: A Solid Start

Let’s get one thing straight: Luna, the cloud streaming service from Amazon, is technically sound. It’s comparable to GeForce Now and competes with Google Stadia and Xbox Game Pass. Luna streams games directly from the internet to your browser, phone, or Fire TV Stick.

The Luna app is polished and intuitive, making navigation a breeze. You easily browse games, check out trailers and Twitch streams, and even see basic game information. Selecting “play” results in swift loading times, comparable to Stadia. However, Luna currently lacks fast app switching, meaning you must reload a game if you switch from one to another.

Subscription Model: Pros and Cons

Amazon is pushing a subscription-based model with Luna. The base subscription includes a selection of games, which are constantly being added. Additionally, you can choose to add a Ubisoft subscription for extra monthly fees to unlock their entire game catalog.

The subscription model is attractive for players who want access to a diverse library of games without purchasing them individually. However, it also holds the potential for disappointment. Amazon can, theoretically, remove games from subscriptions at any time, leaving you without access to a game you might have enjoyed. Conversely, if you buy a game outright, you own it permanently.

Gaming Experience: A Mixed Bag

While Luna’s game streams run smoothly at 1080p, the gaming experience left me with mixed emotions. The focus is undeniably on the technology, not the gaming itself.

The Luna Controller: A Disappointment

The Luna controller, priced at an additional $50, has been the biggest hurdle for me. Although it boasts “cloud direct technology” for low latency, I’ve experienced a noticeable lag in certain games. While sometimes unnoticeable, there were times where button presses were significantly delayed, especially in older, 2D games. This is a stark contrast to the minimal latency found in Stadia.

The Luna controller itself feels cheaply made, with mushy triggers. It’s like the Fire TV game edition controller just got a paint job and a “Luna” logo. It lacks the premium build and responsiveness you’d expect from a high-quality controller, especially when compared to the Stadia controller. The D-pad is downright abysmal, making any D-pad reliant game a frustrating experience.

Adding insult to injury, you need a third or fourth generation Fire TV Stick with 4K capabilities to play Luna games on your TV. This is a significant extra cost that Stadia wisely includes with their Chromecasts Ultra. Seeing as Luna is heavily marketed as a console replacement, this missing component is particularly irritating.

A Dedicated App: A Positive

However, there is a bright spot: Luna does offer a dedicated desktop app. While not as necessary as with a platform like Steam, it certainly contributes to a more focused gaming experience compared to using a web browser as Stadia requires.

Mobile Apps: A Missed Opportunity

Another disappointing aspect is the lack of dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android. Currently, you’re forced to rely on a web browser workaround, where you create a shortcut on your phone’s homescreen to access Luna. This feels like a band-aid solution, and we desperately need proper mobile apps. This is another area where Stadia currently excels.

Early Access: A Necessary Reminder

It’s crucial to remember that Luna is still in early access. We’ve seen Stadia drastically improve over time, and Luna has similar potential. It’s too early to give a definitive judgment. We’ll need to revisit Luna in six months or a year to see what improvements have been implemented.

The Verdict: Potential with Room for Growth

Luna is a serviceable cloud streaming service with a solid technical foundation. While the gaming experience is hindered by the subpar Luna controller and lack of dedicated mobile apps, the potential is undeniable. However, Luna needs to step up its game, particularly in the areas of controller refinement and app availability, before it becomes a compelling alternative to other cloud gaming platforms. I’m keeping an eye on Luna and hoping to see significant improvements in the future.

Beyond Luna: Tech Content on a New Channel

If you’re interested in more tech-focused content, I’ve been moving a lot of my tech reviews and unboxings to a separate YouTube channel. You can find a link to it in this video’s description. I’ll continue to focus primarily on gaming content on this channel, so stay tuned for more reviews and discussions!