![momodora reverie under the moonlight art momodora reverie under the moonlight art](https://nintendosoup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Momodora-Header-902x507.jpg)
While these can be upgraded, the basic concept of this never really changes. Kaho has two main offensive attacks: a melee and ranged attack. I mention challenge a lot in this article, and the combat is intuitive enough that any of those challenges can be conquered with finesse. No dreaded Symphony of the Night-like hallways to be found here. The overall level design of the game is so exquisitely executed, that backtracking and exploration never feels bogged down because of the balance with the game’s challenges. Also because the visuals between each zone are so drastically different, along with the rooms being distinguishable enough from each other, it means the map isn’t as imperative to success as other metroidvania style games. Momodora makes rooms either combat encounters or platforming challenges, and when it combines the two it never feels like one is overbearing. When backtracking through an area it makes no sense to have an obstacle so punishing, especially when you have to go through the room multiple times, with enemies respawning every time you re-enter a room. At the same time no room is so ridiculously challenging that it makes backtracking a nightmare. In Momodora all maps are balanced, making each area distinguishable from others, while retaining enough challenge that no room is boring to go through. The main issue with these type of games is that backtracking is such a slog, and often times there is a real problem with how challenging and monotonous a room could be. Save points in particular are very important because they function very similarly to the bonfires in Dark Souls they restore your health as well as restock all your active items. The point of exploring is to find items, save points, or bosses, each with its own purpose for progression. A lot of these maps interconnect with each other, and they are divided by zones that are thematically different. In Momodora you explore a huge world where the overworld map slowly unfolds as you explore different stages. How Momodora handles backtracking is stellar, and it is something that lot of games in this genre seem to not grasp. Like many metroidvania type games, you will do a lot of back tracking and exploration. These witches are always a pain to fight. What is most important is how the game balances metroidvania type of exploration with a solid combat system. The gameplay and visuals are the real show stopper here. Just because it is iterative doesn’t mean that there aren’t genuinely cool moments when story beats do happen. The story doesn’t get any more complicated than that, and that’s not bad. You must find the source of the curse and destroy it, all while exploring, fighting, and platforming across a gorgeous pixel art world. You play as Kaho, a priestess who is on a quest to lift a curse from kingdom that is now spreading across the land. Momodora is that type of game, where the plot is given enough to be engaging, but subtle enough that gameplay and visuals are at the forefront.
![momodora reverie under the moonlight art momodora reverie under the moonlight art](http://www.mylesfreeman.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cry_plays__momodora__reverie_under_the_moonlight_by_redrumurder217-da4ru6z1.jpg)
I’m of the sound mind that a simple plot isn’t necessarily a bad thing there is legitimate brilliance in something simple with proper execution. Thankfully Momodora deftly leaps over every one of those possible pitfalls and comes out on top. In that article I talk about the many problems with that game in particular, and the potential problems of metroidvania style of games. I recently helped one of my colleagues write an article and video about one of my favorite games: Castlevania Symphony of the Night. I’m not even going to try to be subtle – this game is great. Though it’s early in 2017, Momodora stands out as an amazing title even in a year with so many good games coming out.
![momodora reverie under the moonlight art momodora reverie under the moonlight art](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/212/838/42b.png)
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is an astounding piece of art that manages to use crisp gameplay mechanics and amazing visuals to tell a simple plot with finesse.