Moon Diver (ムーンダイバー, Mūndaibā), formerly known as Necromachina, is a side-scrolling platforming video game developed by feelplus[3] and published by Square Enix. It was released in 2011 for the PlayStation Network in March, and for the Xbox Live Arcade on May 4.

Moon Diver
Moon Diver logo
Developer(s)feelplus
Publisher(s)Square Enix
Director(s)Koichi Yotsui
Producer(s)Andou Takehiro
Platform(s)PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade
ReleasePSN
XBLA
May 4, 2011[2]
Genre(s)Side-scroller, platformer
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Plot

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It is the dawn of the 22nd century on the third planet from the sun. Humanity, broken free from its eschatological thralls, now watches as a lone boy stands before it. Within his hands, he controls the power of Mephistopheles – a force which can breathe life into that which has none. Animated machines devour the helpless; buildings shower the streets with storms of glass; cups, trains, bridges, whole towns – the remnants of civilization are transformed into bloodthirsty beasts whose only purpose is to wield the hammer of judgment.

The boy's name is Faust, and he will not stop until he has cleansed the planet of humankind and claimed it as his own. Centuries have passed since his advent, and the world now holds its breath as the End of Days draws ever closer, yet hope is not lost. Hidden among humanity's last remaining survivors, an elite unit of specially trained ninja known as Moondivers have been lying in wait for orders from their Shogun to embark on one final mission to reclaim the planet. Today, those orders arrived.

Development

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Koichi Yotsui directed the four-player side-scroller, with gameplay reminiscent of the Strider game series, which was also helmed by Yotsui.[4]

Reception

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The game received "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6] IGN called it fun but inconsistent and flawed.[13][14] Official Xbox Magazine praised the co-op mode but criticized the unnecessary long stages and called the solo mode a hopeless grind.[16] Game Informer said that the multiplayer component was more enjoyable and polished than the single player.[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ Fletcher, J.C. (March 8, 2011). "Moon Diver strides to PSN March 29". Engadget (Joystiq). Yahoo. Archived from the original on March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  2. ^ North, Dale (May 4, 2011). "Square Enix Drops Moon Diver on XBLA Today". Destructoid. Gamurs. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "『MOON DIVER(ムーンダイバー)』近未来忍者アクションが登場". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. June 21, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
  4. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 30, 2011). "'Father' of Strider talks Moon Diver". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Moon Diver for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom.
  6. ^ a b "Moon Diver for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom.
  7. ^ Reed, Kristan (April 1, 2011). "Download Games Roundup (Page 3) [date mislabeled as "April 6, 2011"]". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Vore, Bryan (April 4, 2011). "Moon Diver Review (PS3)". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on April 7, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Vore, Bryan (May 4, 2011). "Moon Diver Review (X360)". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 7, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  10. ^ Wolinsky, David (March 30, 2011). "Review: Moon Diver (PSN)". GamePro. GamePro Media. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  11. ^ Johnson, Jeremiah (April 11, 2011). "Moon Diver Review (PS3)". GameSpot. Fandom. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  12. ^ Sanchez, David (April 5, 2011). "Moon Diver Review (PS3)". GameZone. Archived from the original on April 7, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Moriarty, Colin (April 4, 2011). "Moon Diver Review (PS3)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Moriarty, Colin (April 4, 2011). "Moon Diver Review (Xbox 360)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  15. ^ Schiller, Mike (April 6, 2011). "Moon Diver review: Lunar Mayhem (PS3) [author mislabeled as "Justin McElroy"]". Engadget (Joystiq). Yahoo. Archived from the original on April 8, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Lewis, Cameron (May 2011). "Moon Diver". Official Xbox Magazine. Future US. p. 71. Archived from the original on 2011-05-10. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  17. ^ "Review: Moon Diver". PlayStation: The Official Magazine. No. 46. Future plc. June 2011. p. 75.
  18. ^ Barker, Sammy (April 2, 2011). "Moon Diver Review". Push Square. Gamer Network. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  19. ^ a b De Large, John (May 26, 2011). "Moon Diver (XBLA, PSN) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  20. ^ Hargreaves, Roger (April 4, 2011). "Moon Diver review – platforming for four (PS3)". Metro. DMG Media. Archived from the original on April 6, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
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