Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider [Review]

By: Mithrandiel

In the 16-bit era, I was mostly a Super Nintendo junkie. The JRPGs of that period had a firm grasp on me, and it was hard for the Genesis to pull me away. One game that did a great job of keeping me hooked for hours was Vectorman - the sleek, futuristic retro platformer could be punishingly difficult, but also had some tight controls and an amazing aesthetic to back it up.

In this era where everything old is new again, it would make sense that a studio would seek to recapture this energy, and indeed The Arcade Crew (Infernax, Young Souls) has delivered something pretty special with Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider.

You play as a hybrid cyborg ninja-warrior who has some botched memories and seemingly was subjected to some horrific experiments by an unnamed mega-corporation. Your journey for vengeance begins in a lab before seeking out those that wronged you amidst an edgy, dystopian world.

Along the way you’ll encounter a variety of similar horrors and enhanced warriors - some of which can grant you enhanced powers to further aid you on your mission.

The controls are simple, but delightfully crisp; the gameplay reminded me of those mid-90s titles the rewarded skill and precision. From the increased jumping distance by quickly executing a dash beforehand to well-timed wall-hanging/jumping, picking up this game is like getting back on a bike after a few years. It might be a bit wobbly, but not for long.

Perhaps one of the most appealing elements of Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is its shortform narrative and playtime. Those familiar with this style of game will be able to complete it within a couple of hours, with level rankings and a pursuit of ever-higher scores driving replayability.

Being a fan of the retro genre means having a soft-spot for the soundtracks of the period, and this is where Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider dials things up a notch. The music is fantastic, arguably doing more to transport you back in time than the visual aesthetic. From spooky, slow-paced tunes to more frenetic beats, it’s a fantastic complement to the game.

Ultimately, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider sets itself apart by having a very clear idea of what it is - an homage to the action platformers of yesteryear. While you would expect it to fit snugly on your library of Sega Genesis games, it makes perfect sense residing on your Nintendo Switch.

You can also find Moonrider on Steam, as well as the PS4/PS5.

Happy hunting!