If you’ve played the NES Ninja Gaiden games or Sega’s Shinobi, this hits many of the same gameplay notes. Moonrider has a variety of melee attacks and can dash and wall-jump. There are eight stages to progress through, each with a boss that grants a new ability upon defeat. Of course, the presentation is worth noting for its 16-bit visuals and old-school music.

For more details on Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider, check out our review here. You can also check out gameplay from Stage 3, which sees Moonrider chasing down Flamestalker, taking down enemies and avoiding hazards en route to their encounter. Stay tuned for details on future updates.

Much like Blazing Chrome, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a love letter to classic side-scrolling action platformers. Much like its predecessors, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is channeling classics like Super Contra, Ninja Gaiden, Shinobi, and to some extent, even games like the Mega Man X series and Super Castlevania 4. Sure, that’s a long list of games to refer to for the sake of a review, but I’m essentially using these games to lay a foundation.

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a side-scrolling action platformer with a heavy emphasis on getting better at the game through the strength of repetition. Rather than just borrowing gameplay and visuals from its 16-bit inspirations, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider also borrows quite a bit when it comes to the general game loop, especially when you take into account its difficulty and the speed and precision it demands of the player.

Let me get this out of the way: Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an incredibly difficult game. The game’s own description on Steam goes as far as referring to its levels as “deadly”. And this is because at the very center of the entire gameplay loop is the fact that you’re going to have to repeat these “deadly” levels quite a few times. Thankfully, the general speed and gameplay prevents this repetition from getting annoying, and the relatively short 4-5-hour play time certainly helps make the whole experience quite fun and breezy.

"Let me get this out of the way: Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an incredibly difficult game."

Difficulty and a short run time aren’t the only ways the game manages to pull off its replayability, however. As you fight your way through the game’s various levels, you’ll inevitably find modifier chips that help you customize the fighting style and move set for your character, the titular Moonrider.

One of the most striking things about Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is its look. Sure, on the surface it might look like yet another retro-styled 2D platformer, but interestingly enough, the game taps into more than just the look of classic games. Its use of more modern technology largely stems from its desire to maintain the look and feel of its 16-bit predecessors.

This goes beyond just things like pixel art, too. Seeing too many projectiles on the screen from various enemies might cause some sprites to flicker, and it even has some fancy “3D” sequences that feel like they were ripped right out of a Contra level. Rather than just going for surface-level aesthetics, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider goes all the way, and surprisingly enough, manages to execute on its vision without it getting in the way of the core gameplay.

"Rather than just going for surface-level aesthetics, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider goes all the way"

This attention to detail also carries forward into the game’s chosen style of storytelling. While most of it largely makes use of sprites talking to each other through text boxes, there are often full-fledged cutscenes that also look right at home on the classic consoles it’s trying to emulate.

When it comes to the core gameplay, Moonrider is equipped with a few tools right from the outset. Alongside the typical jumping and attacking, you also have access to a couple of specialized moves to begin with: a dive kick and a heavy beam attack. While these aren’t exactly insane attacks that would change how you go about taking on a challenge, the addition of a dive kick is an incredible way to showcase right from the beginning just how much expression of skill is possible in the game.

While most of us will just play through the opening levels by largely relying on the basic attack, more skilled players will undoubtedly find their way through Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider’s levels much faster by making use of the dive kick. The trick is that, along with dealing quite a bit of damage if you can land it, it also acts as a great way to maintain forward momentum and gain higher jump height. Sure, it’s simple, but its simplicity hides quite a clever level of depth where the difference between beginners and skilled players becomes obvious right from the outset.

"Its simplicity hides quite a clever level of depth where the difference between beginners and skilled players becomes obvious right from the outset."

While the levels themselves are quite fun, even throwing in a surprising variety of things like simple puzzle bosses and even third-person action-packed bike chases to help break up the monotony of going to the right and killing things. Each level is capped off with boss fights that quite often aren’t just a visual treat with their cool designs, but also mechanical treats as you figure out attack patterns and eventually learn to take down a boss without getting hit even once.

Like I said earlier, the levels are incredibly short, making repeated playthroughs – especially of earlier levels once you’ve unlocked a few upgrades – quite fun. Even on my very first attempt, the first level took me around 8 minutes to finish, and that’s counting around 5 attempts at the boss where I had to slowly take my time to learn how the boss attacks before I could get serious about taking it on. Also, as far as first bosses are concerned, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider definitely makes a great impression.

Alongside the visuals, the gameplay is also enhanced to quite a degree thanks to the game’s music and audio design. While attacks sound like you’d expect from a 16-bit action game, the soundtrack is low-key one of the best things about Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider. The game’s music has a heavy emphasis on meaty bass drums with level-appropriate synths. All in all, the music helps propel you forward just about as much as the sprint button does by keeping the tempo high and getting you in the flow.

"The game’s music has a heavy emphasis on meaty bass drums with level-appropriate synths."

When we get right down to it, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider isn’t going to be winning any awards for originality with its concept or influences, but it definitely deserves a fair bit of recognition thanks to its core gameplay, excellent visuals, and a great soundtrack. While some may already be tired of classic side-scrollers, I’d argue that there’s still plenty of room for those kinds of games if they can manage to reach the no-holds-barred non-stop action like Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider manages.

Just about every aspect of Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider feels incredibly fine-tuned to offer a very specific type of action, and as this game proves, JoyMasher seems to be on the cusp of having perfected this type of game. Sure, we’ll get many action games inspired by classics, but there’s a level of expertise on display in Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider that makes me quite excited to see what’s next for JoyMasher.

This game was reviewed on the PC.

In this footage, Moonrider traverses the Fallen City in search of Flamestalker. He can equip one of two modifiers that provide unique abilities beforehand. What begins as a chase eventually leads to Moonrider avoiding shots from a robot in the background while pressing forward. There are still plenty of obstacles to overcome, including the classic spike pits.

The battle with Flamestalker sees him unleashing flaming ninja stars, a rain of fire, and much more as time goes on. Defeating him nets the Flamearang, which sends out a flaming boomerang that returns to Moonrider. Based on performance, you receive a rank at the end of the stage.

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is out on January 12th for PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

NOTE: This interview was held prior to the game’s launch.

"Boss battles are the big thing in all our games, we care a lot about them and we always pack our games with LOTS of them. As a run’n’gun we used a lot of encounters to guarantee that we’re always throwing some new to the player. This is essential for a run’n’gun."

How much will the gameplay style differ depending on which of the two characters players are playing as?

The first two characters in Blazing Chrome are basically the same, it’s just a skin, like in Metal Slug 2, 3 and X. However, after finishing the game you unlock two new very different characters, more melee style, faster and who can jump high but cannot collect special weapons.

Can you speak to us about the variety of weapons that will be on offer to players in Blazing Chrome?

We have a normal machine gun weapon, a grenade launcher, an energy whip and a particle cannon. We choose to keep 4 weapons because we wanted to guarantee that we’re not creating useless armament, every weapon has its strong points. Besides, the 4 main weapons players can collect assist bots. These are little fellas that help you with three different types.

Attack bot: A small robot follows the player and shoot enemies, like in a shmup game.

Defense bot: These robot brothers generate a shield that protect the player; if you get hit two times you lose them.

Speed bot: This guy helps the player to run faster, jump higher and double jump! Speedrunners’ favorite.

We also feature vehicles section in every stage to guarantee a good amount of variety in gameplay.

Boss fights and set piece encounters can often make or break run’n’gun titles- how much of an emphasis does Blazing Chrome put on such encounters? Can you talk to us a bit about how you’ve designed them?

Yeah, boss battles are the big thing in all our games, we care a lot about them and we always pack our games with LOTS of them. As a run’n’gun we used a lot of encounters to guarantee that we’re always throwing some new to the player. This is essential for a run’n’gun. We spend a lot of time designing them and creating crazy encounters, it was super fun but also super difficult, but we had a great time and we hope everyone has fun with it.

"A very experienced player will probably finish the first run in 50 minutes, however most players will take more time, also after finishing you unlock new characters and new gaming modes, it’s a hell of a ride!"

About how long is an average playthrough of Blazing Chrome?

Depends of the player, a very experienced player will probably finish the first run in 50 minutes, however most players will take more time, also after finishing you unlock new characters and new gaming modes, it’s a hell of a ride!

Are there any run’n’gun games in particular that you drew inspiration from for Blazing Chrome? I imagine you hear this a lot, but the game immediately gives off Contra vibes at first glance.

Ah yes, we got inspiration from lots of titles- not just Contra, there’s Metal Slug as well and even some underground titles like Gun Force 2.

Classic run’n’gun titles were often defined by how challenging they could be- is that something we should expect to see in Blazing Chrome as well?

Definitely, Blazing Chrome has a lot of challenges, even the easiest setting will put players to the test!

As an indie developer, what are your thoughts on the Switch, which has become a haven for indies since its launch?

Switch is a great platform to feature your indie title, there’s a lot of attention! There are people who bought two or more times the same game just to have it on Switch, it’s great!

Does the game feature Xbox One X specific enhancements? What can players expect if they are playing the game on Xbox One X? Is 4K/60fps on the cards? And how has the PS4 Pro version turned out in terms of resolution and frame rate?

Well, our idea is to keep 60fps in all platforms, since Blazing Chrome is a fast action game, we have to guarantee that. Now, we don’t have an answer yet for the 4k, maybe we can see about that in a future patch, at least on PC if your desktop is set at 4k the game will upscale to 4k automatically.

"Switch is a great platform to feature your indie title, there’s a lot of attention! There are people who bought two or more times the same game just to have it on Switch, it’s great!"

How is the game running on the original Xbox One and PS4, frame rate and resolution wise?

On Xbox and PS4 Blazing Chrome is running at 1080p 60fps, however the game’s native resolution is 427×240 so basically our game upscales to this resolution.

What is the resolution and frame rate of the Switch version in docked and undocked modes?

On Switch we’re also trying to keep 1080p and 60fps in all modes, we’re still working on some tweaks to fix all kinds of performance gripes that the game may have.

The game’s plot is simple. Blazing Chrome is set in a post-apocalyptic world where robots battle humans. Humanity is losing.  You play as Marva or Doyle, the only surviving members of a suicide mission behind enemy lines. Marva’s a badass who literally kicks ass a chews bubble gum, while Doyle’s a reprogrammed robot with a mohawk and questionable fashion sense. They’re an odd team, but both characters have personality: let Marva idle too long, and she’ll blow an enormous pink bubble, while Doyle likes to rock out at the end of missions.

"You’ll start every level with the standard issue machine gun, but there are other weapons and power-ups to collect."

The gameplay is equally throwback: you can move, shoot (pressing the shoot button when an enemy is close to you will make your character perform a melee attack a la Metal Slug), go prone, and roll. You can hold a button to stand still and aim, which comes in handy when you don’t want to manage both moving around and the game’s eight-way aiming system at the same time. There are also vehicles to pilot, from lumbering mechs wielding chainguns to hover bikes that zoom and jump all over the screen. One level even sees you jump into a flying mech suit and go on-rails. It reminded me an awful lot of Star Fox, and I loved every second of it.

You’ll start every level with the standard issue machine gun, but there are other weapons and power-ups to collect. There’s the whip, a pink beam of light that can be swung in all directions and is good if there are a lot of enemies close to you. The grenade launcher sacrifices the machine gun’s range for power, dealing enormous damage to anything unlucky enough to be in the immediate vicinity of one of its projectiles. By far the most impressive, however, is the particle laser. It can shoot small projectiles if you like, but the real damage is done when you charge it. Let it loose after gaining some charge, and it will fire a beam that covers a good chunk of the screen and lasts several seconds, allowing you to sweep it across the screen and murder all but the most powerful enemies in a single shot.

There are also bots to acquire, each of which offers a different advantage. The Attack Bot fires when you fire, increasing your damage output and your ability to control what’s on the screen. The Defense Bot provides a shield, which will absorb two hits before failing, and the Speed Bot boots your movement and firing speed, and gives you a double jump, allowing you to access otherwise inaccessible areas that usually contain things like power-ups or extra lives. You must be careful when selecting a weapon and bot, however. Unless you have the Defense Bot, you die in one hit, and lose whatever you currently have equipped. You can cheat this a bit by switching to your machine gun if you feel like you’re about to die, allowing you to keep your other weapons when you respawn, but bots are gone no matter what. This is classic risk/reward design, and it incentivizes careful play and knowledge of a level. If you’re too reckless, you can lose your power-ups very quickly.

"If you run out of lives, you can use a continue and go back to the lack checkpoint you reached, which will only ever set you back by about one-third of the level."

Blazing Chrome maintains the punishing difficulty that made the Konami Code public knowledge, but it does make concessions to new players. Each level is divided into several sections, usually denoted by a fight with a mini-boss. If you run out of lives, you can use a continue and go back to the lack checkpoint you reached, which will only ever set you back by about one-third of the level. The game also tries to introduce you to new ideas and mechanics in a safe way before bringing them into the game at large. One area, for instance, has you jump your hover bike over several obstacles, and the game lets you practice with a set that’s enemy-free before throwing everything at you.

That said, this is still a game based on Contra, and the fact that you die in a single hit means that it’s still hard, even on easy, which gives you items if you’re having trouble. Still, once you give yourself time to get used to things and learn how things work, the game is a lot of fun, and you’ll find that you improve very quickly. Even if you’re doing poorly, most of the game can be finished if you just stick with it. The only thing that will suffer is your score; the game doesn’t otherwise penalize you for using continues.

Even if you’re having a hard time, Blazing Chrome is probably a game you’ll want to play. It’s utterly gorgeous, even if you don’t use the various filters, and the beautiful sprite work and quality backgrounds make it hard to dislike. Each level is different, and you never quite know what you’re going to get. The game isn’t fond of reusing ideas. It takes them to their natural conclusion and then discards them for the next thing. This is particularly true in the boss fights, which are incredibly varied and universally excellent, especially in the later levels, when the game throws absolutely everything it can think of at you. Throw in a rocking soundtrack and you’ve got everything you need for a run through yesteryear.

"There are also three difficulties – easy, normal, and hardcore – as well as a mirror mode and a boss rush mode which unlock once you’ve finished the game."

Blazing Chrome isn’t a complicated game. What you see is what you get. Like the games that inspired it, it’s also not particularly long. There are only six levels; the opening four can be played in any order, which then opens the last two, which must be done sequentially. Skilled players should be able to blow through the entire game in about an hour or less, and I have a hard time believing it would take anyone more than 3 or 4 hours to beat, no matter how bad they are. That doesn’t mean that the game is short on content, however. There are two additional characters to unlock, both of whom are melee oriented, and play considerably differently than the standard characters. There are also three difficulties – easy, normal, and hardcore – as well as a mirror mode and a boss rush mode which unlock once you’ve finished the game.

If you want to climb the leaderboards, or just see everything the game has to offer, you could be busy for quite a while, especially if you have a friend to play with. The game supports local co-op, even in the PC release, and it’s the best way to play. Sure, you can have plenty of fun playing by yourself, but co-op is where it’s at for this sort of thing. The co-op mode does introduce some minor issues – there were times either I or my co-op partner were put in impossible positions when we respawned after dying and couldn’t do anything except die, for instance – and there are times where you might accidentally blow something up in a way that leaves them with a weapon of bot they don’t want, but the joy of playing with a friend far outweighs these problems.

If anything, I wish there were more game here, but what is here is excellent and should keep fans of the genre occupied for a while, especially if they want to master it. Blazing Chrome an excellent throwback to the games of yesteryear, and a loving tribute to several series – both in games and in film – that still occupy the public consciousness. Konami and SNK don’t seem to have much interest in making games like this anymore, but that’s their loss. If Blazing Chrome is any indication, Joymasher is more than up to the challenge. Now get out there and kill some robots.

This game was reviewed on PC.

The world has more or less ended in Joymasher’s Blazing Chrome, but that doesn’t mean the future can’t be awesome. With rogue machines calling the shots, it’s up to a few human survivors to fight the good fight. Blazing Chrome is out now for Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Check out the release trailer here.

Featuring characters like human resistance fighter Mavra and sentient robot Doyle, players will run-and-gun through a variety of levels. Taking inspiration from classic Contra titles, Blazing Chrome features vehicles like hover-bikes and large, screen-filling bosses to battle. There are also some hidden characters to unlock for even more variety.

Local co-op gameplay is supported for two players, and the 16-bit aesthetic looks pretty darn good as you shoot through five unique environments. Blazing Chrome is also available for Xbox Game Pass on Xbox One. If you’re a subscriber, it might be worth checking out.

Joymasher’s Blazing Chrome is out tomorrow and to celebrate the same, publisher The Arcade Crew has released a new trailer. It’s not just chock-full of gameplay showcasing the game’s 2D side-scrolling action. It also features some live-action footage with budget outfits, cheesy acting and lame CG. Check it out below.

Blazing Chrome stars Marva and Doyle, two soldiers who blast their way through a variety of environments to take down an AI army gone bad. A variety of weapons, mechs that can be piloted, vehicles like hoverbikes and much more await. And of course, there are some giant bosses waiting to be killed.

Blazing Chrome is out on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One tomorrow for $16.99. It will also be available for Xbox Game Pass tomorrow along with titles like Timespinner, Unavowed and Dead Rising 4. Head here to see two of the secret characters that can be unlocked and what they’re capable of.

Fancy a retro throwback to Contra (not Contra: Rogue Corps, of course)? JoyMasher has you covered with Blazing Chrome, a run ‘n’ gun action platformer that captures that signature 16-bit vibe. Even better is that the game has a release date – it’s out on July 11^th for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

The latest trailer is also noteworthy, because it features two secret characters. Suhaila has a robot arm, while Raijin is a ninja. Really, what more could you ask for? They join Mavra and Doyle, who are available from the outset, though how they’ll be unlocked is unknown.

Blazing Chrome features five different environments for its campaign and includes set-pieces like riding a motorcycle in a chase scene. There are enormous bosses to fight, but much like games from that era, Blazing Chrome will be tough. You might die a fair number of times before actually seeing the end. Stay tuned for more details on the game en route to release.