Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider Trailers
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider - Release Date Reveal Trailer
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider - Steam Next Fest Trailer
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider - Announcement Trailer
Critic Reviews for Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a throwback to 90's action-platformer games that will appeal to those looking for a challenging nostalgia trip.
If it sounds like the criticisms here are on the pedantic side, that is because Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider’s downsides are largely negligible. This is a pristinely crafted action-platformer that has a strong understanding of what it means to deliver an engaging, frenetic, action-packed experience. If Moonrider had been released on the SNES, it would be one of those legendary 16-bit-era action titles that are frequently referenced in reverent tones. Its influences aren’t hard to see, and it certainly doesn’t do anything to reimagine what a great 2D action title is, but it does everything so extraordinarily well that it never feels redundant. Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider stands shoulder to shoulder with the greats, and all fans of pristinely crafted action games owe it to themselves to give it their attention.
One of the best things going for Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is its length. Making your way to the last level and defeating the final boss only takes a few hours. In this way, it knows exactly what it is: a brief but enjoyable nostalgic experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome. By the time you start feeling like you’ve completed a full retro meal, credits are right around the corner and I appreciate it for that. Moonrider’s adventure likely won’t linger with you, but I don’t regret playing the short, familiar, and satisfying experience.
Solid and definitely have an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
An ode to the golden age of 16 bits, which perfectly transmits those sensations. As a game, it is a somewhat brief challenge, but very intense and varied, that tempts you to improve more and more.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is great in a lot of ways. Even if it stays almost too close to the Mega Man X formula, it still utilizes it well. The visuals and music are definite highlights that put this game apart, but it also just feels satisfying to play. The ride is over all-too-soon, but I’m happy to have taken it. It was another good challenge and we cut up tons of machines, fascists, and fascist machines along the way. More than that, I’d love to see some speedruns of this game because it looks ripe for excellent players to learn and master. If you want a decent action platformer to kick 2023 off with, you can’t go wrong with Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider conjures the spirit of the golden age of 16-bit gaming.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is easy to recommend for those longing for retro platformers, but is over a bit too quick.
