While we collectively use the term here for the sake of familiarity, I’m always a bit hesitant in my own mind to label a game under the wide banner of “Metroidvania.” In part, that’s because I think the two referenced games (Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night) are actually more different than they might appear at first glance. Gloomsoft’s recent release, Moadra, recognizes that distinction, crafting a game that draws heavy inspiration from the specific tradition of Super Metroid, even while presenting an intriguing and atmospheric fiction that is great fun to discover. In movement, actions, and exploration, Moadra feels remarkably similar to the best of the 2D Metroid games. A scanning tool also leans into the Metroid inspirations, revealing details about the weird alien world you’re navigating. If you’ve been hungry for a game that scratches that particular itch of sci-fi gear/ability-gated exploration, I think you’ll find a lot to love in this game.
