One of 2024’s most overlooked games just came to consoles. Don’t miss it twice

digitaltrends.com:

We are currently in something of a Metroidvania boom. With the genre reaching peak saturation, new releases — of which there are many — are forced to expand upon the core formula fans know and love in hopes of standing out. Take the thrilling Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist as an example, which imbues the Metroidvania with RPG systems and a focus on player builds. Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, on the other hand, believes that simple is better.

Originally released in January 2024, Moonlit Farewell is the fifth and final entry in developer Bombservice’s Momodora series. While it might not have any ostentatious additions to the basic Metroidvania formula, Moonlit Farewell’s devotion to a sleek rendition of the genre’s core pillars make it a refreshing adventure. The game went under the radar in 2024 but now, with its release on consoles, Metroidvania fans have the perfect way to tide yourself over until Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Before you ask, no you don’t need to play any of the previous Momodora games before Moonlit Farewell. Sure there are some returning characters and world lore that fans of the franchise are sure to delight in, butMoonlit Farewell onboards newcomers extremely well. That’s partially because the narrative is kept pretty simple. The priestess Momo embarks on a journey to save her village from destruction at the hands of evil. What more do you need to know? This is also a series that truly exemplifies iterative design. While Moonlit Farewell is the end, it is also the best place to start.

Back to basics

There are a handful of elements that come to mind when thinking of Metroidvanias: a sprawling interconnected map, collectible abilities, impressive boss fights. Moonlit Farewell has them all. There is no fat on the proverbial bone here though. When it comes to exploration, the world of Moonlit Farewell feels no bigger than it needs to be to instill a sense of scale on the