Moo Lander is pun-fueled, self-described "Mootroidvania" that combines Metroidvania elements, 2D platforming, and some action RPG combat and mechanics. It's also about a UFO flying through a planet they initially believe to be Mars and abducting monstrous cows for their milk. It's a strange premise that's somehow even stranger when playing - but it's also a whole lot of fun.
As Lander, players will navigate their ship through a variety of biomes while lore drops intermittently take place thanks to regular conversations between Lander and Hamilton, his ship's AI program. Camoflouge Modules can be unlocked by defeating a certain number of enemies, offering upgrades to Lander's ship. Skills also provide updates, but these are unlocked by gaining levels and collecting enough milk. The exploration in Moo Lander is a bit more linear than what's featured in a lot of games in the Metroidvania genre, but this doesn't feel like a drawback since the story is always propelling forward. Later moments, like when Lander must find three keys to proceed, are less linear but still work well.
Combat is a lot of fun, although the actual fights with cows start to get tedious after a while. Despite the cows having some differences, most feature similar mechanics - and since Lander has to use non-lethal weapons on them, the cows can be hard to hit. They also have more health than normal enemies, which means these fights can take a while - all of which can add to the tedium after the first five or six cow fights. Sadly, fighting the cows in Moo Lander may be the least fun part about it. Thankfully, the bulk of the game doesn't involve cow fights, which means the good outweighs the bad by a large margin.
Like the cow fights, tone is another issue in Moo Lander. At times, it feels like two games mashed together and it doesn't always work. The story of civilization's downfall and warnings against tampering with nature are mixed with an odd sci-fi story about technology powered by milk. It's combined with relaxing music and beautiful animated graphics - and then there are lots of cow puns thrown in. It's enough to give anyone tonal whiplash and sometimes the humor feels more tacked on than integral.
Mooltiplayer is for anyone looking for some PvP or co-op action, and the various modes here are enjoyable. Most of them feature the kinds of combat and gameplay found within the Campaign, but Galactic Mooball - which feels like the soccer mini-game in Mario Party more than Rocket League - is a real highlight. Mooltiplayer may not keep players interested long-term, but Galactic Mooball serves as a nice break from the usual gameplay in Moo Lander as opposing UFOs try to score points in each other's goals.
Despite having some problems, Moo Lander is a ton of fun that delivers on its premise of being the first "Mootroidvania." The humor is hit or miss, but there are plenty of times players will find themselves smiling as they navigate the various biomes and try to solve puzzles to move the story forward. The story may not be that great, but the gameplay is - and it definitely makes Moo Lander worth checking out.
Moo Lander is available now on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch. Screen Rant was provided with a PlaySation code for Moo Lander for the purpose of this review.