Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider

• Genre: 2D Action Platforming
• Time Played: 3-4 Hours
• Too Short/Long: I would have been happy with a little more, but it was fine.
• Pleased/Disappointed: Pleased.
• Why I played: Motorcycle Samurai Action Platformer with Mega Man elements? How could I not? Also the gorgeously detailed pixel art, even if it at times bordering on grotesque.
• Recommend to others: I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes games like the original Ninja Gaiden or Strider, though Hagane might be a more direct inspiration.

I've played all of Joymasher's games and enjoyed them all, even if sometimes I think they're working within their self-imposed limitations a little too much. Controls could be tighter, as they often are in modern action platforming games. In Joymasher tradition the controls are just a little stiff and it leads to missing jumps you shouldn't. Thankfully their endless pits aren't actually endless pits and even accidentally falling into spiked or electric floors, isn't too painful.

Other than that? Excellent game. Basically mixing the previously mentioned games with the Mega Man style progression/upgrades. Prologue level, 6 level choices, then a couple final levels that thankfully do not include a boss rush. I was enjoying it and would have been happy with a bit more. Joymasher seems to like to make different games inspired by different classic games each time, but I would be really happy if they turned this one into a series.

Also I would have liked more motorcycle sections. The Mode 7 style sections a couple times is nice, but the game teases you with some side scrolling motorcycling by having a couple level intros take that perspective. Only with Moonrider jumping off before you gain control.