- This Moadra review evaluates Gloomsoft's dark sci-fi Metroidvania released on October 22, 2026
- Core loop: agile movement, deliberate combat, and ability-gated exploration across Protea VI
- Standout systems: Protoplasm upgrades, organic chamber mutations, scanner and X-ray Vision secrets
- Best for: players who enjoy pattern-based boss fights and methodical backtracking
- Skip if: you want multiplayer, codes, or live-service progression — Moadra has none
Moadra Review: First Impressions on Protea VI
Moadra is a single-player, premium sci-fi action Metroidvania developed by Gloomsoft and released on October 22, 2026. Set on the alien planet Protea VI, the game casts you as an alien soldier investigating a world overrun by hostile organisms — a desert surface, frozen peaks, and research facilities consumed by alien life. The premise ties into the lost heritage of the Neera and an extinction event roughly twenty thousand years old.
Our first hours confirmed the tone immediately: dark, atmospheric, and hostile. The official Steam page tags the game as action, adventure, indie, sci-fi, Metroidvania, exploration, and horror, and each of those labels shows up in actual play.
| Review Category | First-Impression Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | ★★★★★ | Toxic-teal alien biomes, eerie facilities |
| Opening pacing | ★★★★☆ | Teaches movement before danger spikes |
| Story hook | ★★★★☆ | Neera heritage mystery, environmental clues |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ | 9 interface/subtitle languages supported |
The World
- Protea VI desert surface, frozen peaks, alien-taken research facilities
- Interconnected Metroidvania map
- Hidden paths and blocked routes everywhere
The Protagonist
- Alien soldier with a Neera heritage
- Evolves abilities through Protoplasm
- Equipped with scanner drone for mapping
The Tone
- Dark sci-fi with horror undertones
- Gory, committed combat
- Secrets tied to an ancient extinction
Moadra is a paid single-player title with achievements, cloud saves, and 9 supported languages on Steam. It has no redeem codes, daily rewards, or online multiplayer — any page claiming otherwise should be treated with suspicion.
Combat and Movement Review
Combat in Moadra is built around discipline rather than aggression. Enemies telegraph attacks, and the safest play pattern is a short attack sequence followed by a roll, sprint, or jump to a neutral position. Trading damage without a recovery plan is the most common way to die.
Movement is the stronger half of the design. Rolling, dodging, jumping, wall jumping, and sprinting each serve a distinct purpose, and the best players chain them rather than treating them as isolated buttons.
| Action | Purpose | Best Use | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | Pass through committed attacks | Enemy attack animations, hazards | Rolling without tracking landing position |
| Sprint | Create distance, reposition | After attack exchanges | Forgetting it is also defensive |
| Jump | Cross gaps, avoid ground threats | Safer route than rolling | Not checking the landing zone |
| Wall Jump | Climb vertical routes | Narrow shafts, hidden heights | Holding direction too long |
| Attack | Punish recovery windows | After enemy commits and finishes | Continuing combos into retaliation |
Do not burn every movement option at once. If you roll, sprint, and jump in the same window with nothing left, the boss's next attack has no answer. Always keep one defensive option in reserve.
Bosses and Difficulty Review
Boss encounters are where Moadra's design philosophy pays off. Each fight is pattern-based: learn the attack, find the opening, punish, reset. Multi-phase bosses reduce safe openings in later phases, so resource discipline — saving healing for the back half of a fight — matters more than raw damage.
Scout the Opening
Watch the boss's first attack sequence without committing to a long combo. Identify which attacks are punishable and which require pure evasion.
Punish Recovery Windows
Attack only after the boss finishes a committed action, then return to a neutral position near the arena center for repositioning space.
Manage Resources Across Phases
Hold healing and limited supplies for later phases. Reaching the phase transition consistently is worth more than rushing early damage.
Adapt to New Patterns
When a phase-change animation begins, stop attacking and prioritize survival until the new pattern is understood.
If you like learning enemy rhythms — where each death teaches you something — Moadra's difficulty curve is fair and readable. Players who prefer forgiving, reaction-light combat may find the early boss walls frustrating.
Upgrades and Progression Review
Progression runs through Protoplasm, collected across Protea VI and spent in organic chambers to evolve abilities and weapons. The scanner drone and X-ray Vision reveal hidden paths and secret areas, making exploration upgrades feel genuinely transformative rather than optional fluff.
| Upgrade Category | Practical Value | Acquisition | Recommended Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobility/access abilities | Highest — open new routes | Major progression milestones | S-tier, get first |
| Combat weapon improvements | Strong — easier boss openings | Exploration, guarded areas | A-tier, before hard fights |
| Exploration utilities | Good for completion runs | Off the main path | B-tier, cleanup phase |
| Situational/convenience | Playstyle-dependent | Optional challenges | C-tier, last |
Prioritize anything that opens previously blocked routes. In a Metroidvania, access is power: movement upgrades improve both forward progression and backtracking efficiency across every region of Protea VI.
Completion and Value Checklist
A full run combines story progress, boss defeats, hidden-area sweeps, and Steam achievements. Before committing to the final story sequence, work through this checklist to avoid missing ending context tied to exploration thoroughness.
Before Your Final Run:
- Revisit every blocked route after gaining new movement abilities
- Defeat all required major bosses and elite encounters
- Sweep optional rooms and hidden paths region by region
- Spend remaining Protoplasm in organic chambers
- Compare Steam achievements against your exploration notes
Moadra Review FAQ
Q: Is Moadra worth buying?
If you enjoy dark sci-fi Metroidvanias with pattern-based boss fights, methodical exploration, and meaningful ability-gated progression, Moadra delivers a focused single-player experience. Check the Steam page and Gloomsoft's official site for current pricing and trailers before purchasing.
Q: Does Moadra have multiplayer or redeem codes?
No. Moadra is a premium single-player game with no known code redemption, gift code, or promo system. Progress comes from exploration, combat, upgrades, and story advancement only.
Q: How long is Moadra?
Completion time depends heavily on exploration style. A direct story route finishes the central journey faster, while a thorough run that clears hidden areas, optional bosses, and all achievements takes considerably longer.
Q: What languages does Moadra support?
The Steam page lists 9 interface and subtitle languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese-Brazil, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Latin American Spanish.
Q: Is Moadra good for Metroidvania beginners?
Yes, with patience. The game teaches movement fundamentals early, but boss difficulty rewards disciplined play. Practice rolling, sprinting, and attack rhythm in safe areas before pushing deep into unfamiliar regions.
Visit the Gloomsoft official site and the Steam community discussions for patch notes, guides, and post-launch updates.