Again in August, JoyMasher, the developer identified for varied retro-style video games like Blazing Chrome, unveiled a brand new 16-bit throwback within the type of Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider. Whereas Blazing Chrome primarily based its gameplay on old-school run-and-gun video games like Contra, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider takes inspiration from the side-scrolling ninja antics of Strider and Ninja Gaiden. This announcement got here greater than a yr after the discharge of Cyber Shadow, one other dystopian ninja motion recreation. For many who felt hungry for extra ninja side-scrollers after Cyber Shadow, JoyMasher’s newest effort ought to ideally do a lot to fulfill these cravings. And people gamers is not going to have to stay hungry for for much longer, as Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider has a launch date developing quickly.
The discharge date trailer that coincided with this announcement treats gamers with about half a minute’s value of intensive operating, leaping, and slashing. These explosive gameplay clips come alongside snippets of its Ninja Gaiden-esque cutscenes in addition to a 3D motorbike stage. That final bit ought to come as a very enjoyable inclusion for gamers who’ve a nostalgic fondness for Mode 7 and different comparable graphical methods of the 16-bit period.
A love letter to 16-bit gaming
Based on the JoyMasher co-founder and Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider artwork director, Danilo Dias, the builders aimed “to faithfully pay homage to the formative period of video games which finally impressed us to create our personal.” Every little thing from the audio recording methods to the restricted shade palettes was designed to evoke the sensation of video games discovered on the Sega Genesis particularly.
The builders don’t simply see Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider as a easy tribute, nevertheless. It additionally serves as an “interpretation of how [these retro experiences] can nonetheless evolve going ahead.” Hopefully, as soon as the sport sees its official launch subsequent yr, this interpretation will find yourself resonating with diehard followers of this beloved period of gaming. Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider might be out there on its launch date of January 12, 2023.