The one that will clench your Metroidvania thirst
Disclaimer: This review was originally published through The Gamers Camp.
After finishing Kingdom Hearts III, I found myself lost looking for something to play. I, then, looked at my email and saw that I was given the privilege to play Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight for the Nintendo Switch to review. I was thinking, “I don’t like platformers. It makes me sleepy. I should just reject this.” because most 2D platformers do. However, when I saw some Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight photos and screenshots, it seemed different so I went ahead to play it only to find out that it was good!
This is JJ-kun of The Gamers Camp bringing you my review of Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight.
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, developed by bombservice, is a 2D side-scrolling, action-platformer game released for the Windows PC in 2016 but got recently re-released for the Nintendo Switch via eShop last January 10, 2019. It is actually the fourth installment in the Momodora series so I thought I need to play the first three games before playing this one, but it was not the case, fortunately. Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is said to be a prequel for the Momodora game series, so you can play it without playing the first three games!
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight starts with two people from the side with the other one just bringing you up to a certain point saying “This is the point where I can bring you. Going further would be dangerous.” I immediately thought, “Damn, looks like this is a continuation of a game.” The other guy with the main character, Kaho, told you of your quest; to have an audience with the Queen of the land to aid you of removing the curse laid upon the world that affected your village. Unfortunately, you are too late and the Queen is already cursed, ordering the evil monsters to attack.
Honestly, when I started playing Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, it felt like reading a novel or watching a movie about something you have no background of, except you start at the middle. Sure, your quest was laid upon you but the story itself was not given much expansion like as to how the world was cursed. There is a big potential within the story but that opportunity was not grabbed.
When I first saw Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, I saw that it was sprite-based, which I was happy about since I am a big retro game lover. I love games using sprites. One example would be Pokemon Black and White, the way it utilized sprites was so escalating.
Nevertheless, Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, delivered its graphics greatly. It had a very distinct graphical style which is a big plus point for me. The attacks of monsters and bosses, the environment which goes with you – like how grasses sway when you walk through it, the animation of each movement, all of it. The game felt very lively and smooth and I love it!
Each area has its own theme and having its own theme means having its own background music to represent it. Personally, while I think the background music, or the OST, is good on its own, I could not really pay attention to the music while playing the game as I was more engaged with the gameplay than the rest that makes up the game. Essentially, in a game, music is one that is most crucial, however, for this game, it seems to break this rule. I would say that the music is good, but not good enough to actually be noticed while playing, in comparison to other games where you really notice the music.
To be fair, the only music that I noticed are the music from the bosses as it really sets the mood for a boss battle. Aside from that, nothing more.
The gameplay was pretty straightforward. You move, you attack. That’s it. However, what made it different from other action-platformer titles is its limited yet rewarding gameplay. There is the button for ranged attack, melee attack, roll, and jump. You also get abilities mid-game that will help you progress throughout the game!
I did mention “limited yet rewarding gameplay”, right? So, what do I mean by that? What I mean is that the game has difficulty, even just at normal mode, with the addition of the limited controls making it a hard game. Yes, the game is kind of hard but it is not too hard that it removes the fun aspect of the game. It just got the right blend of fun and difficulty. I have to say, I did take breaks from time to time as I was almost close to raging and throwing my controller, but that is exactly the kind of gameplay experience that I like; when something gives you difficulty, you find ways to finish or do the job. Once you do, the feeling you get is of a “very rewarding” feeling, knowing that all of your hard work paid off, and with that I had enjoyed playing the game very much!
For its price, $14.99 for the Nintendo Switch or $9.99 for PC via Steam, can I say that its content justifies its price tag? Well, for a game that is very engaging but fairly short, I would say, if you are into Metroidvania games or 2D Action Platformer games, then get this. It’s very worth its price. You would be playing this not just once as it features multiple endings. In addition to this, you get to unlock a New Game+ mode after finishing the game and as well as an Insane mode after finishing the game in Hard mode which would engage you even more!
In fact, I’m already playing the game for the nth time for Insane mode New Game+. It’s just so fun to play!
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight did not fail me. Like I said earlier, 2D side-scrolling, action-platformer games make me sleepy but Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight did not. It is a fairly short game; Not too short to make it feel lacking nor too long to be boring. I finished the game, including the unlocking of all endings within 4 hours (including my break from my almost-rage quits) and it had me engaged throughout the entire experience. The question, however, still remains: “Is it worth buying?” very much!
Rdein of bombservice, the developer of the game, is doing another 2D side-scrolling, action-platformer game called Minoria, said to be the spiritual successor to Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, with some elements from the latter carrying over with the addition of new ones and I cannot wait for it to get released!
REVIEWED ON PC
A REVIEW CODE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE REVIEW OF THIS GAME.
