Metroidvania and 2D platforming are combined with action RPG elements in Moo Lander. “Mootroidvania” is the name given to the game, which is full with puns. Then there’s the fact that a UFO is flying across a planet that they initially believe to be Mars, and it’s kidnapping giant cows in order to get their milk. Although the game’s design makes the concept even more nonsensical, it is nonetheless enjoyable to play.
There are many different biomes to explore, thus the player adopts the position of a Lander and controls their ship. Because Lander and the AI software that operates his spacecraft are always conversing, lore dumps occur on a more or less frequent basis. The Camoflouge Modules are Lander’s ship upgrades that may be gained once a specific number of enemies have been defeated and destroyed. To gain access to the abilities that give updates, you’ll need to level up and consume a particular amount of milk. In comparison to previous Metroidvania games, Moo Lander’s exploration is more linear. This isn’t always a bad thing, though, because the story is continually progressing. It becomes less linear in later levels, such as the one where Lander must find three keys in order to move on, but it works nicely anyway.
Despite the fact that fighting cows might be a lot of fun at first, it can quickly become tedious. Even though each cow has its own distinct features, most of the gaming elements are relatively similar. Because Lander is limited to non-lethal weaponry against the cows, it’s possible that a direct hit would be difficult. These battles might go on for a long time since they are more durable than the average foe. Fights might become tiresome after the first five or six times because of these and other causes. Defending oneself against the cows is one of the least fun parts of Moo Lander. As a result, the game’s beneficial qualities much exceed its bad ones, especially given the absence of many cow battles.
In addition, the Moo Lander tone is reminiscent of the cow wars. At times, it’s as if two different games have been blended, and this method isn’t always effective. Milk-powered technology is linked with the story of society’s demise and warning stories against tampering with nature in this science fiction narrative. In addition to soothing music and beautiful animated pictures, there are also a lot of cow jokes thrown in there. A good dose of tone shock is guaranteed, and the humour occasionally comes out as more of an afterthought than an integral element of the tale.
Mooltiplayer is a great place to play PvP or co-op because of the variety of game styles available. While several of these mini-games are reminiscent of the Campaign, only one, Galactic Mooball, is a true departure from the others. It’s more like the Mario Party soccer mini-game than Rocket League. If you’re looking for something to keep you entertained for a long amount of time, Moo Lander’s Galactic Mooball mode provides a pleasant departure from the game’s usual action by having competing UFOs try to score points in the goals of the other side.
It’s hard to argue with the fact that, despite its flaws, Moo Lander is one of the best “Mootroidvanias” ever made. Even if the jokes aren’t always on point, players will find plenty of opportunities to chuckle as they explore the various biomes and try to solve puzzles in order to progress the story. While the story of Moo Lander isn’t all that compelling, its excellent gameplay more than makes up for it.
