![]() The music and audio design, like the rest of the game, is faithful to the retro vision. ![]() There’s even an optional CRT TV screen effect that looks convincingly vintage. The pixel graphics and the enemy models and map designs are intentionally reminiscent of 90s futuristic dystopias like Shadowrun or Robocop. Stylistically, this is thoroughly a 16-bit game. This module decreases the overall amount of damage taken, but also caps the max level rank at a “B” grade. While there are no difficulty settings, the player is offered several power modules with defensive capabilities, one of which is given to the player after their first game over. Some players, especially those who are not as familiar with the genre, may have a hard time adjusting to the pure technical challenge that the game presents. ![]() Just as Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a game designed with a specific playstyle in mind, it is also a game designed with a specific playerbase in mind. While these diversions from the central gameplay are not particularly detailed or difficult, they offer a nice change of pace from the standard gameplay and keep the game fresh throughout. Furthermore, while the level variety is limited, there are pleasantly surprising breaks from the traditional side-scrolling with sections, like a bike chase in Iwondonilo City. 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. 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. ![]()
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