14 DAY TRIAL // 
A robot ninja, clad in metal, sticks to a wall, nimbly jumps to the opposite one, then reaches a ledge, just ahead of a fire-breathing enemy emplacement. I decide to idle there for a few seconds, satisfied with my previous progress. I then time a quick flurry of attacks to take down the opponent and take a few cautious steps forward.
More running and double jumping get me over some electrified floor panels and I arrive face to face with a shielded enemy, backed by a flying drone. Their coordinated assaults take a third of my health off before I manage to finish both. It’s a significant setback and a clear sign that my approach to combat needs improvement.
I deal with another group of opponents using my special attack, which simply ignores their shields. I then find a crate that gives me a welcomed energy top-up. The path is now relatively clear and I am getting ready to deal with a mid-level special opponent. It will require careful use of running, double jumps, and fast attacks.
I failed to get past it once before but this time around I feel suitably prepared. I only need to remember patterns, make sure that I do not react too quickly when it launches an attack, and only deliver damage when it’s safe to do so.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is developed by JoyMasher and published by The Arcade Crew. I played over Steam on the PC. It is also available on the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation 5, and the older console from Sony. The title is designed to capture the unique experience of a classic side-scrolling action platformer.
The narrative is simple and direct. An oppressive government is trying to create super soldiers that it can control and direct to attack civilian protesters. In the process, they unwittingly create the Moonrider, a powerful ninja warrior with a conscience.
He bursts out of his growth chamber, slaughters those seeking to control him, and then goes on to battle his cohort of super soldiers and other tools of the government. Don’t expect major depth or carefully constructed world-building. The mostly exists to demonstrate that the developers know the classics of the genre and can replicate all its core elements.
The heart of Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is the gameplay, which is as classic for the 2D side-scrolling action adventure as they come. Our robot ninja is very nimble given his all-metal armor, able to double jump and dash when he needs to. The moves allow him to navigate the labyrinthine levels and dodge a range of environmental hazards.
The authoritarian regime is not ready to allow his escape and some capable enemies are targeting our protagonist. The basic laser-armed soldiers are not a big threat, mainly because our ninja blades can actually slash through their attacks. Blocking incoming fire feels almost like a rhythm game. But drones, shielded troops, fire turrets, and more, can quickly drive down health. Keep in mind that the special attack can punch through almost any kind of protection an opponent has.
Thankfully, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider also features crates, sometimes a little off the main path, that can replenish both health and mana. Don’t fret about any hit you take, use the invulnerability frames it provides, but make sure to learn something from it and try not to make the same mistake.
Players need to explore as much of a level as they can, mainly because chips are hidden throughout. These will give them a chance to tweak the gameplay more to their preferred approach. They also offer a way to reduce the difficulty level as long as gamers are ready to accept that scores are not important and simply want to push forward.
It is pretty easy to get overwhelmed and die in Vengeful Guardian, mainly when groups of opponents combine their abilities and you also have to avoid environmental dangers. It’s a good thing that the game is generous with its lives but be warned that checkpoint placement is very old-school. You will have to get through the same section multiple times.
The entire experience is designed to appeal to gamers who remember the classics of the genre and want a solid challenge. Sharp reflexes and quick thinking are important, and having clear knowledge about coming challenges is crucial. The game can become frustrating for anyone who does not look at past titles with a dose of nostalgia.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider looks how fans of the side-scrolling action genre remember games looking during the 16-bit era. The pixel art has enough detail to suggest an oppressive universe, filled with varied enemies, but a little more color would have been nice. The ninja looks great in action and the game’s design makes it easy to make split-second decisions about how to approach a challenge.
But the outstanding element of the presentation is the soundtrack, which manages to push all the nostalgia buttons while also sounding clean and modern. It pumped me up and kept me trying to overcome obstacles when I was ready to give up because of the difficulty level.
The Good
- Classic mechanics
- Old-school look
- Challenging levels
The Bad
- Limited universe
- Difficulty spikes
- Requires nostalgia for full effect
Conclusion
Even the CRT effect is better than the tech actually looked in the past but instantly recognizable for players of a certain age. All these elements should also prepare players for the difficulty level. This is a game that wants players to perfect their approach and execution if they want a high rank for a level. Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider might not attract a new audience but it will offer a stiff challenge for anyone who loves the classics of the 2D side-scrolling action genre.
A review key was provided by the publisher.
