Retro platformers aren’t hard to come by. I count myself among the group of video game gamers who applaud the efforts of small development teams playing on our nostalgia for an era when playing video games meant tuning into Channel 3. Some are awesome, some are too difficult to make fun, but most fall somewhere in the middle. Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider won’t go down in history as one of the greats, both embracing the past and modernizing the action, but I’d place it more on the fantastic side of the scale, even if it doesn’t quite make it all the way.
In Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider you are the titular moonrider. You break out of your container and destroy the guards in a violent show that would have made you thankful your parents wouldn’t have been watching if you had played it on your Genesis in 1992. The story is sparse but entertaining. Most of the time I wondered if I was the villain and enjoyed Moonrider’s monologues about how unlimited power is not appropriate for anyone, no matter how noble their intentions. I also appreciated the little personality traits instilled in each boss before the fight started.
However, the story is secondary to the platforming and sword action. Moonrider moves well, bouncing off walls like Samus Aran and sprinting to jump over large chasms. It feels great to move about, but it has some annoying flaws where the camera limitations prevent you from seeing your next platform. Zooming out would make it feel too much like a modern game, but I don’t know if the Genesis-era accuracy was worth the occasional fret.
Aside from the jumping and sword action that makes up most of the game, there are a handful of motorcycle levels. These levels look difficult, like they could have existed on a 16-bit console, but I’m almost positive they couldn’t. But more importantly, I enjoyed them as much as I did the default platform.
Difficulty is often a shortcoming for comparable games, with many emphasizing challenge over fun. Thankfully, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider strikes a good balance. Levels are difficult but achievable thanks to sane lives and checkpoints, and bosses have patterns that can be followed and exploited, but probably not on the first try.
Inspired by Mega Man, the other six can be pursued in any order after completing the first level, and defeating his boss will reward you with a new weapon. The mechanics are familiar, but it works and it’s exciting to try out your new tornado weapon, or my favorite, a tentacle that ejects from a portal. Hidden upgrades, such as a double jump or the ability to get stronger the more enemies you defeat, can also be found in each level and can be optionally equipped. I’ve enjoyed these as rewards for exploring off the main path, but some are undoubtedly more useful than others. I found two early on that I never equipped.
One of the best things about Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is its length. It only takes a few hours to get to the last level and defeat the last boss. That way, it knows exactly what it is: a short but pleasant nostalgic experience that doesn’t overwhelm its reception. By the time you feel like you’ve completed a full retro meal, the credits are right around the corner, and I appreciate that. The adventure of Moonrider is unlikely to stay with you for long, but I don’t regret playing the short, familiar, and satisfying experience.
