Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider Reviews
Solid and definitely have an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
As Blazing Chrome, Vengeful Guardian Moonrider is a neat tribute to old action games. It really feels like a lost Mega Drive title, but on more modern platforms. A good retro trip with a gorgeous aesthetics from the 90s and a soundtrack that could have been in a Streets of Rage game. Imperfect, yes, but generous.
Review in French | Read full review
I loved Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider, but it won’t be for everyone. It’s a must-play for 2D action platform veterans. Especially those that value speedrunning. The 80s inspirations hit all the right nostalgia buttons for me. It might look a little generic on the surface, but anyone who gives Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider their time, will find a tight action platformer, with lots of unique nuance. If you’re at all curious, don’t hesitate to pick it up.
Overall, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an awful lot of fun. Those who appreciate the platforming games of yore will get a nostalgia kick that feels very close to those older titles, with some subtle tweaks to make things more playable. It may not be a game with a lot of longevity, but what's here is very enjoyable.
At the end of the day, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a solid retro-inspired action game that does a good job of offering a satisfying albeit brief campaign. You could definitely do a lot worse but there is substantial room for improvement, that's for sure.
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.
From its stunning sprite work to its masterful level designs that make full use of your ninja abilities, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider will keep you glued to your controller until the end credits roll. My only real complaint aside from the relatively easy bosses is that it’s such a short burn. With just eight levels available, skilled players will make their way through the game in just a couple of hours. Still, completionists should be able to squeeze out a few more by unlocking all of the hidden upgrades in each map. When all is said and done, if you’re a fan of games like Shinobi, Hagane: The Final Conflict, or Ninja Gaiden, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a must-play love letter to the ninja action games of the ’90s.
In short, “Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider” is a great game for fans of the style and a great gateway for those new to the universe of retro games. Despite being short, lasting an average of two to three hours, the game delivers very well what it promises: something new with a classic flavor.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider kicks off 2023 in the best way possible with an immaculate retro platforming title delivering tight gameplay, gorgeous visuals, great enemy variety and intense boss fights. Anyone who enjoys classics like Contra or Shinobi should have this game on their radar.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an action-platforming title that follows a sentient robot that tries to restore peace to civilization. Was this eight stage campaign worth my time? Find out in this Rapid Review.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider has a lot of heart and very strong level design, but it's weakened by a low level of challenge.
Although the game gets interesting just before it ends, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a fantastic throwback specially for fans of Ninja Gaiden or the recently released Cyber Shadow. Also the CRT filter in Switch OLED is just fantastic.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The only crime Moonrider has committed is that it left me wanting more of the action and genre. 90s action titles starring ninjas/samurais/hybrid-of-the-two have distinct controls and feel, and Moonrider captures that to a tee, especially with its speed and plethora of attacks and skills on tap.
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.
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 a quick and powerful hit of retro action platformer nostalgia.
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 feels like a blast from the past and kicks off the year with a challenging and rewarding experience.