Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider Reviews
Look, I’m a kid of the 90’s so this is a hard game to truly review without some level of taint. It looks, plays and sounds like a refinement of games of the Mega Drive. An elevation to a new level, a classic of a system it’s not even for. It’s a strange experience to explain, but an experience I don’t think you or I should explain. Instead, simply play Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider. You’ll thank me.
"Another speedy retro cyber ninja!"
Review in Finnish | Read full review
As it stands right now you just have a 3 hour, phenominal retro adventure to slash through that you’ll enjoy every second of, and arguably exceeds the great retro balance found in Blazing Chrome, nearing outright perfection in several aspects. The ultimate definition of short and sweet.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider has a steel-like focus on its demographic: people who either grew up with titles like Shinobi and Strider or people who have taken the dive into retro gaming and want the thrill of something new that feels authentic to the time period. The short run time, use of a lives system, and difficulty that some may feel is cheap may deter some gamers. That said, all in all, the developers have knocked it out of the park once again with some high-octane ninja action with intuitive controls, smooth gameplay, and the kind of pick-up-and-play style hook that the loftier AAA games just don’t have.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider reminds of great classic games like Shinobi and Strider, demonstrating how the genre is still alive and kicking.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Rather than being a game for people who miss the old school ninja platformers of yesteryear, Moonrider feels more like a game made for the people who miss the idea of them, rather than the games themselves. The game borrows liberally from its inspirations and combines them into a game that looks and plays the part just fine. It just doesn't push itself or the player on a level that will fully satisfy people who still regularly enjoy the games it takes from.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a fantastic platformer that combines the best elements from the SNES and Genesis era with some fresh and fun ideas. It is difficult, as some of its inspirations, but beginners can still enjoy it and have a great time.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
This game was just the greatest cup of coffee for me to help start the new year. Last year started with a bang when I had the pleasure of playing Infernax, and 2023 got off to a great start as well with Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider. It’s not terribly involved, the storyline is a bit heavy handed, and you need to figure out how it handles, but it’s exactly what it needs to be.
In fact, in some ways, it could actually stand to hew more closely to them, especially when it comes to exploration and difficulty. Taken as it is though, Vengeful Guardian is an approachable, stylish retro platformer that I can see many falling for once they give it a chance, and I encourage anyone curious enough to do so. I think much like myself, you'll find a surprising amount to appreciate here, even if you'll be left wanting more.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider stands out among the pack of games looking to capture that 16-bit nostalgia. It is not just an art style. There are so many pieces that go into making a modern retro game and JoyMasher continues to prove they are better at it than most. I highly recommend this game and don’t let it slip through the cracks. It is definitely one of the better ones available.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider certainly isn’t the most unique or downright original game that ever was. But it’s just so well conceived and fun to play that it would be a crime for you not to give it a go. It’s readily available on just about every single modern platform, so I would urge you to give it a shot. It’s also not terribly long – if you know what you’re doing, you can finish it in a couple of hours leisurely, so it’s a fantastic pick up and play in short bursts. I had my eye on this game ever since it was announced and I’m overjoyed it turned out so well.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a good action-platformer and an even better retro throwback. Amidst a sea of retro-inspired games, Moonrider does enough things to make itself stand out. The controls could have been smoother and a game bit longer. But, as it stands, the satisfying gameplay loop and the excellent aesthetics make it a must-have for folks like you and me.
Though in general it doesn’t break new ground, 16-bit era fans should enjoy this pretty authentic action platformer
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.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider feels like a blast from the past and kicks off the year with a challenging and rewarding experience.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a throwback to 90's action-platformer games that will appeal to those looking for a challenging nostalgia trip.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a quick and powerful hit of retro action platformer nostalgia.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a fantastic game. It reminds you of how those old SNES and Genesis games were, enhanced with plenty of quality of life elements. If all your side scrolling melee retro games got together, and created a game in the lab of a maniacal government, it would be this. If you love retro 16-bit action games, you won't regret this. Cyber ninja vanish.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is far from the most original game out there. It wears its 16-bit influences on its sleeves, and developer JoyMasher certainly isn't a stranger to this specific kind of game. However, there is a level of expertise on display in Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider that ends up making the game a pure joy to play, thanks in no small part to its snappy controls, excellent visuals, and a stunning soundtrack.