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Momodora: Moonlit Farewell

94%Game Brain Score
story, music
grinding, replayability
94% User Score Based on 1,093 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchPCPCPlaystation 5Playstation 5WindowsWindowsXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SPlayStationPlayStationXboxXbox

About

"Momodora: Moonlit Farewell" is the latest installment in the Momodora series, where you play as Momo, a priestess on a mission to save her village from a demon invasion. With gorgeous pixel art, action-packed gameplay, and an engaging story, players will enjoy challenging combat and an atmospheric world. However, be prepared for grinding and intense battles. Overall, this single-player platformer features a compelling story, wonderful graphics, and a perfect soundtrack, with a wholesome and heartwarming message.

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell screenshot
Momodora: Moonlit Farewell screenshot
Momodora: Moonlit Farewell screenshot

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,093 reviews
story74 positive mentions
grinding17 negative mentions

  • Beautiful pixel art and animations that enhance the overall experience.
  • Engaging combat system with a variety of sigils that allow for different playstyles.
  • Charming story and characters that tie up the series nicely.
  • Game is relatively short, taking around 6-10 hours for completion.
  • Difficulty is on the easier side, with many bosses being straightforward and not very challenging.
  • Linear level design that lacks the interconnectedness typical of other metroidvanias.
  • story
    274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Momodora: Moonlit Farewell" is generally described as straightforward and simple, with some reviewers noting it lacks depth compared to previous entries in the series. While it features emotional themes of duty and perseverance, many found the narrative to be somewhat generic and lacking in character development, though it does provide a satisfying conclusion to the series. The game's beautiful pixel art and engaging gameplay often overshadow the story, making it more of a backdrop than a focal point for many players.

    • “It's a journey worth taking for fans of the series and newcomers alike, offering a unique blend of action, art, and story that resonates long after the screen fades to black.”
    • “The story is touching and the gameplay is perfect for a 'rainy indoors day'...or whenever.”
    • “Moonlit farewell continues to push the best of what momodora is known for - an enjoyable story with interesting characters, challenging fights, responsive controls, a well-crafted world, superb music which felt like a part of the world rather than a 'game soundtrack', and gorgeous artwork throughout.”
    • “The plot is simple and not particularly compelling; you don't really meet any of the characters for long enough to get attached to them or their stories.”
    • “There's something lackluster or rushed in the plot that I can't put my finger on.”
    • “The story is minimal and mainly narrated through recurrent interactions with different characters.”
  • music
    250 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Momodora: Moonlit Farewell" has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, featuring a blend of soft melodies and intense orchestral tracks that resonate with players. Many reviewers noted the soundtrack's emotional depth, with memorable themes that complement the stunning pixel art and gameplay, making it a standout aspect of the game. Overall, the music is described as beautiful, immersive, and integral to the gaming experience, with some tracks lingering in players' minds long after finishing the game.

    • “The music is gorgeous, filled with soft melodies that make you feel both sad and inspired, transitioning to intense orchestral battle music that makes you feel in danger but also vibing.”
    • “The soundtrack is once again phenomenal, with several songs that I listen to from time to time, especially the village theme!”
    • “The music complements the atmosphere perfectly, transitioning seamlessly between dynamic, somber, oppressive, and moody tones as needed, enriching the overall gaming experience.”
    • “The music is even more generic than the one in rutm; there are reused enemy sprites from momo3, the beginning locations are very boring... it certainly feels like a hollow sequel to what was a fantastic game.”
    • “Unlike with graphics, I barely paid any attention to the music, which severely failed to capture my interest.”
    • “And the music was putting me to sleep. The sound design and music were very boring; there was no build-up, no stakes, no tension & release.”
  • gameplay
    247 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Momodora: Moonlit Farewell" is generally well-received, characterized by its straightforward mechanics and engaging combat, though some players find it less innovative compared to its predecessor, "Reverie Under the Moonlight." While the game features enjoyable boss fights and a variety of customization options through the sigil system, critiques highlight issues such as a lack of depth in combat mechanics and some frustrating design choices, including a stamina system that slows down gameplay. Overall, it offers a solid metroidvania experience with beautiful pixel art and a captivating soundtrack, making it a worthwhile play for fans of the genre.

    • “The game is a fairly short and straightforward metroidvania, that has good gameplay and fun boss fights.”
    • “From start to finish I enjoyed it a lot, really cool gameplay, music and visuals, very fun boss battles, quite happy with the game, the hardcore challenge was very fun to make, I can see myself doing speed runs with this game, my current best is 2 hours 40 min.”
    • “The gameplay is astonishingly good.”
    • “Don't expect sophisticated skill trees, upgrade systems, or combat mechanics.”
    • “While I've primarily played these games for the pixel art, the gameplay mechanics often leave me frustrated.”
    • “The gameplay is very similar to 'Reverie Under the Moonlight'; that game was the first in the series that's considered souls-like, and 'Momodora 4' is no different, it's still very much a souls-like, even more so because they added a stamina system, MP system, and autosaves.”
  • graphics
    166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Momodora: Moonlit Farewell" have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful pixel art style, fluid animations, and vibrant environments, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor. Many players appreciate the charming aesthetics and attention to detail, which enhance the overall gameplay experience, although some noted that certain visual effects can be distracting during combat. Overall, the visuals are considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing to its appeal as a metroidvania title.

    • “The game's atmosphere is just outstanding - the visuals, the music, the lighting - are all top-notch.”
    • “I already loved the pixel art aesthetic of 'Reverie Under the Moonlight' and this game takes it to another level with much more fluid animation and detailed backgrounds.”
    • “The graphics are the best in the series.”
    • “I didn't care much for the visuals.”
    • “One of the drawbacks to the new visuals I did find while playing—the areas do seem a little more samey.”
    • “Artwork feels rushed, a lot of background and characters like the big snake clearly lacks detail.”
  • atmosphere
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive music, and distinct environmental designs, creating a rich and engaging experience. While some players miss the darker tones of previous entries, many appreciate the blend of lighthearted and melancholic elements, with each area offering a unique ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is described as beautiful, serene, and effectively enhancing the gameplay, despite some critiques regarding certain areas feeling less memorable.

    • “The game's atmosphere is just outstanding - the visuals, the music, the lighting - are all top-notch.”
    • “The dense atmosphere, the heavy music, the gorgeous pixel art all had me enraptured.”
    • “The music complements the atmosphere perfectly, transitioning seamlessly between dynamic, somber, oppressive, and moody tones as needed, enriching the overall gaming experience.”
    • “Gone is the bleak atmosphere, the silent protagonist, the barebones storytelling featuring a few charming characters, the fast pace of finding new abilities and bosses and zones... this one is beautiful to look at, no doubt, but after nearly 3 hours with it I just can't find the fun.”
    • “The atmospheres of the areas in the game feel uninteresting and bland.”
    • “It's a bit disappointing coming from the melancholy, desolate atmosphere of the prior entries, but the game's fun so it's not really a problem.”
  • grinding
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to backtracking and limited fast-travel options in the early stages. Many reviews highlight that traversing the map can feel monotonous, especially with stamina constraints, and boss fights often lean more towards being tedious than challenging. While some appreciate the exploration and completionist elements, the requirement for multiple playthroughs and extensive grinding for achievements can deter others.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Backtracking can be a bit tedious in the first half of the game, since fast-travel activates only in the second half.”
    • “Traversing certain sections of the game can be very tedious, as you'll just be running along mostly flat ground with your very limited stamina meter depleting every few seconds of sprinting.”
    • “To get all achievements it requires at least 3 playthroughs, one of them being a no-deaths one in hardcore mode, so it might be tedious for completionists.”
  • emotional
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    "Momodora: Moonlit Farewell" is praised for its emotional storytelling and beautiful world, evoking strong feelings ranging from joy to devastation. Players report being deeply moved by the narrative and character interactions, with many experiencing tears during key moments. The game's combination of tight combat, stunning visuals, and a haunting soundtrack enhances its emotional impact, making it a memorable and heartfelt experience.

    • “It’s called Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, and it’s a gorgeous Metroidvania game with tight combat, emotional storytelling, and a hauntingly beautiful world.”
    • “And at the end of the game, we wrap up the story in a way that’s satisfying but also leaves players emotionally devastated.”
    • “When I started playing this, getting past the intro, I cried happy tears and smiled from beginning to end... after which I cried again. This game felt like an absolute masterpiece; every moment of exploring felt whimsical, the music was beautiful, especially Koho's theme. This game delivered on so many levels I wasn't ready.”
  • character development
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by charming and memorable designs, particularly in the NPCs and enemies, which contribute to an enjoyable aesthetic experience. However, some reviews note a decline in character depth and writing quality compared to previous entries, with criticisms aimed at bland boss battles and simplistic designs that detract from the overall narrative engagement. While the art and music are praised, there is a consensus that character development could benefit from further improvement to enhance the storytelling experience.

    • “The art design, animation, music, character designs, story, and actual gameplay are all tightly knit and well made.”
    • “I’ve always loved the character designs of this series, and that continued charm is on full display with this newly-improved stylistic iteration.”
    • “The beautiful pixel art, the area and character design, the lighting effects, and the wonderful soundtrack all combine to create an experience I was very happy to be lost in.”
    • “Even in the series’ most banal entries, at least the game design elements did not clash with one another, but Momodora: Moonlit Farewell takes away great elements from the predecessor, such as rewards for no-hit killing bosses, fun secrets, and a true Metroidvania map that loops in on itself multiple times in clever ways and trades it for a half-baked linear experience with an eye-roll-worthy story and a level of writing that almost feels like the entire writing team for their previous games was fired, as well as some of the most bland boss battles in the series, boring character designs, and a hardcore mode that only exemplifies the game’s further issues with lack of control response and typical Momodora one-hit kill shenanigans.”
    • “Really like the music and background graphics, but character development could be improved.”
    • “However, there are a few character designs that either feel too simplistic for the art style (the big one being a certain snake) or overly suggestive (another snake, this time the snake lady in the promotional images), though I suppose that sort of thing is up to personal preference.”
  • humor
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely appreciated, with players enjoying the quirky character designs and amusing dialogue, particularly the interactions with companions. Many found the pixel art and chaotic gameplay moments to be entertaining, even when they led to unexpected deaths. However, some players felt that the characters could benefit from more distinct and humorous quirks to enhance their personalities.

    • “When she first did that multi slash attack, I was like a fangirl, just screaming because she was just so cool (plus, the gun dora was just too funny).”
    • “And if a funny anecdote is what'll pique your interest: this game made me respond to a boss' second phase with 'finally, gender equality.'”
    • “The pixel art was amazing followed by the visual effects, it really made everything feel so lively and punchy; there were points where there was a lot of clutter causing a silly death, but it ended up being funny so I don't mind.”
  • replayability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the challenge of variant modes and the engaging sigil system, others find the lack of unmarked secrets and linear level design limits the incentive to replay. Overall, the game offers enough content and modes to encourage multiple playthroughs, but it may not satisfy those seeking extensive exploration or hidden elements typical of the metroidvania genre.

    • “The sigil system is really fun, the boss fights are cool, the level design is great albeit linear (don't think there was a single room I hated), and it's short enough to have great replay value while not feeling like a waste of time.”
    • “After your first playthrough, you unlock some game modes which I haven't had much time to play yet, but so far it seems like a good challenge and replayability.”
    • “There isn't too much in the way of unmarked secrets, and I had found everything on my first playthrough, which is quite crippling for a metroidvania's replay value.”
    • “There is a variant mode available after beating the game once that I haven't tried, and plenty of ways to challenge yourself if you're looking for more replayability, but the main game coming in at around 10 hours is well worth it.”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with many users reporting smooth controls and no significant glitches or slowdowns. However, some players have noted that it can be somewhat messy, despite running well on platforms like Proton and Steam Deck.

    • “Runs great on Proton as well.”
    • “I'm glad to report that it runs great on Steam Deck!”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is highly praised for its exceptional optimization, featuring polished designs, smooth gameplay, and responsive controls. Players report a seamless experience with no bugs, even on the Steam Deck, highlighting the impressive graphics and overall performance.

    • “From the beautifully polished designs and animations to the smooth and well-optimized gameplay, the stellar soundtrack, the nice and responsive combat and controls, as well as the charming dialogue during the sparse story moments.”
    • “Alright, the game is really well done, with incredible graphics, tight controls, and good performance overall (I played the entire thing on the Steam Deck and never experienced bugs of any kind).”

Buy Momodora: Moonlit Farewell

8h Median play time
7h Average play time
4-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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