Back in August, JoyMasher, the developer known for various retro-style games like Blazing Chrome, unveiled a new 16-bit throwback in the form of Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider. Whereas Blazing Chrome based its gameplay on old-school run-and-gun games like Contra, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider takes inspiration from the side-scrolling ninja antics of Strider and Ninja Gaiden. This announcement came more than a year after the release of Cyber Shadow, another dystopian ninja action game. For those who felt hungry for more ninja side-scrollers after Cyber Shadow, JoyMasher’s latest effort should ideally do plenty to satisfy those cravings. And those players will not have to remain hungry for much longer, as Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider has a release date coming up soon.
The release date trailer that coincided with this announcement treats players with about half a minute’s worth of intensive running, jumping, and slashing. These explosive gameplay clips come alongside snippets of its Ninja Gaiden-esque cutscenes as well as a 3D motorcycle stage. That last bit should come as a particularly fun inclusion for players who have a nostalgic fondness for Mode 7 and other similar graphical techniques of the 16-bit era.
A love letter to 16-bit gaming
According to the JoyMasher co-founder and Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider art director, Danilo Dias, the developers aimed “to faithfully pay homage to the formative era of games which ultimately inspired us to create our own.” Everything from the audio recording techniques to the restricted color palettes was designed to evoke the feeling of games found on the Sega Genesis in particular.
The developers do not just see Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider as a simple tribute, however. It also serves as an “interpretation of how [these retro experiences] can still evolve going forward.” Hopefully, once the game sees its official release next year, this interpretation will end up resonating with diehard fans of this beloved era of gaming. Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider will be available on its release date of January 12, 2023.
