Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider Review

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a throwback to 90’s action-platformer games that will appeal to those looking for a challenging nostalgia trip.

Developed 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. 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. The game is entirely focused on delivering tightly crafted, harrowing levels to complete that rely entirely on precise motor skills and lots of retries. The result is a nostalgic, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience for those wanting to relive the era of classic ’90s gaming.
GAMERANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
JoyMasher is devoted to crafting highly-refined adaptations of classic-styled, unforgiving action 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. The game immaculately mimics the sound, style, and gameplay of old-school platformers. 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.

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. Thus, while only consisting of 8 overall stages, this game has high replay value, especially for perfectionists. The gameplay design, while not entirely original, is a nearly flawless balance between challenging combat and carefully timed platforming. The…

Source