Video games lived through an era of reunion and reconstruction starting with the NES, Nintendo Entertainment System, officially launched in Japan in 1983, and arriving in the West in mid-1985.

After a serious crisis, the 8-bit era made possible the emergence of several games such as the “Ninja Gaiden” franchise and, later, the evolution to 16-bits on the Super Nintendo and Mega Drive consoles with great classics such as “Shinobi”, “Strider”, and even lost gems such as “Run Saber”, showing that the gaming industry still had room to grow and reach the level it has reached today.

“Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider” shares the ninja theme and fast and dynamic combat of the previously mentioned games, but with the modernity brought by indie games that enchant and bring a completely new dynamic and the reimagining of established classics. In addition to the aforementioned titles, the stage selection screen and the bosses reminded me a lot of the “Mega Man” franchise games, both the classics and the “Mega Man X” franchise.

The Brazilian company JoyMasher once again launches a game that marks both the national and international markets, in a title that catches the eye and with just the right amount of challenge. The company also created “Blazing Chrome”, a game inspired by “Contra”, and other titles that are very reminiscent of the classic dynamics of “Ninja Gaiden” and even “Castlevania”, such as “Oniken” and “Odallus”.

“Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider” is short but with great incentives to play it again

“Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider” presents the story of an unlikely hero fighting oppression and tyranny, paralleling authoritarianism and dictatorship. The hero called Moonrider was created by the authoritarians but rebelled against the initial purpose for which he was created, so he fought his creators and the other subordinates of the army.

In terms of content, the game has eight stages and relatively fast gameplay (I managed to finish the game in approximately 3 hours), but it also has a platinum system, interesting secrets, and a note system by stages that motivates you to re-explore the stages for those who are achievement and trophy hunters.

That, in itself, could be the biggest draw to retro game-loving streamers and their audience. With fast and dynamic gameplay, the content creator doesn’t need to dwell too much on his content, delivering exactly what his audience wants to see.

For lovers of retro games, the size of “Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider” is a great excuse to re-adventure and learn the patterns, but for people who don’t have much appeal to that particular type of game, maybe it’s not a fully effective replayability factor. In terms of performance, the game runs easily on virtually any computer and has no major problems for those who want a lighter game to have fun and enjoy, just like the old days.

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider

PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch (2023)

Performance

Streamability

Audience Engagement

Replayability

Summary

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a modern indie ode to the great retro classics, living up to the old titles while creating its own identity and being yet another amazing game released by Brazilian producer JoyMasher. It provides a good experience in a game with good challenges but balanced difficulty for both those who have fond memories of older titles and those who may be exploring this type of game for the first time. Although short, it has challenges for those who like to hunt for achievements and trophies and go for the platinum, but it can leave some players wanting for more.

4.3

Ludovicoluka

I have 25 years, I produce content to internet for 4 years and I like retro games, indies and I’m an enthusiast for new launches. I have as my favorite games Donkey Kong Country 2, Super Mario World, Hollow Knight and Red Dead Redemption II, per example. I like to experiment everything and the more, the better, but I never get sick of my comfort games!