![]() ![]() These also, alongside special moves awarded after completing stages, offer the only bit of strategy for the game outside purely mechanical techniques. These power modules stay permanently available, even if the player dies, and two can be equipped at a time. These collectibles come in the form of power modules that gives the player certain gameplay buffs or even aesthetic options. While Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is very linear compared to other Metroidvania titles of its kind, there are still collectibles to be found on every level, some of which are hidden fairly well. This unfortunately locks the player into slow and repetitive strategies that eat up precious amounts of time during speed runs. While certain bosses can be tackled with different strategies, most are immune to creative solutions due to extended periods of invincibility which overlap with their devastating attacks. These bosses feel more tedious than truly difficult with repetitive attack patterns and massive (invisible) health bars. While all the end-stage final bosses are excellently designed and engaging, some of the mid-level bosses feel redundant and sluggish, breaking the flow of gameplay. The only major issues with the gameplay manifest in certain boss battles. The gameplay design, while not entirely original, is a nearly flawless balance between challenging combat and carefully timed platforming. ![]() Thus, while only consisting of 8 overall stages, this game has high replay value, especially for perfectionists. Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a game designed for speedrunning, as it holds a record of completion times alongside a letter grade for each stage the player has completed. The flow of the game is balanced between incredibly quick and responsive combat alongside platform elements designed to slow the player down and cause them to carefully plan every movement in order to get the best possible time. The game immaculately mimics the sound, style, and gameplay of old-school platformers. While this genre of game has become a little bit more niche in the past few decades, it still demands a cult following, and Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider certainly delivers on that front. JoyMasher is devoted to crafting highly-refined adaptations of classic-styled, unforgiving action platformers. The result is a nostalgic, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience for those wanting to relive the era of classic ’90s gaming. ![]() The game is entirely focused on delivering tightly crafted, harrowing levels to complete that rely entirely on precise motor skills and lots of retries. JoyMasher has devoted every one of its projects to recapturing the glory of action platformers from the SNES era, and this entry is no exception. Each level doesn’t just lead into the other one, either, as you can choose between the seven areas (including the starting area) in a way that is slightly reminiscent of Mega Man, including bosses that drop power-ups on death.Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a throwback to 90’s action-platformer games that will appeal to those looking for a challenging nostalgia trip.ĭeveloped by two-man team JoyMasher and published by The Arcade Crew, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a retro-inspired action platformer that sees players don the mantle of the titular super solider and battle through 8 stages of side-scrolling fury in an attempt to overthrow the despotic regime of a cyberpunk-esque dystopia. ![]() While Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is mostly a sidescroller, it does have a few other tricks, like the pseudo-3D vehicle segments that would feel at home on Genesis or SNES. Add in some Contra-inspired imagery, and Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider ends up being a pretty good retro styled action game. There are also slots for power-ups called “power modules” that can significantly alter gameplay. It also has a level selection and boss power-ups that resemble Mega Man. Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a retro side scrolling action platformer, most closely resembling the 16-bit era Shinobi games. However, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a rare game that manages to feel authentically retro, and is a love letter to the Shinobi series, and other classic games like Metroid, Mega Man and more. It’s rare for something to come along that both nails the gameplay and aesthetic of a retro game, especially without making too many concessions to modern conveniences. I’ve been playing a lot of retro games lately, so when a game that’s “retro-inspired” comes across my desk to review, I’m always weary. ![]()
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