Moadra Xbox Series X Review: Everything to Know About Gloomsoft's Sci-Fi Metroidvania

Moadra Xbox Series X brings Gloomsoft's sand-swept metroidvania to current-gen consoles. Explore features, performance, and gameplay tips.

Moadra Xbox Series X just arrived, and if you have been waiting for a moody, exploration-first action game on current-gen hardware, this is the moment to pay attention. Gloomsoft's release drops you onto Protea VI, a sand-swept planet of alien ruins, freezing summits, and secrets buried for 20,000 years. The Moadra Xbox Series X version matters because it is the build Microsoft's storefront flags as optimized for Series X|S — with 4K output, high frame rate support, cloud saves, and Play Anywhere — so console players are getting a proper current-gen presentation rather than a quick port.

Below is a full breakdown of what the game is, how it runs, what systems drive its progression, and how to get off to a strong start on Protea VI.

Moadra Xbox Series X: The Quick Facts

The store listing is refreshingly clear about the essentials. Here is everything confirmed at launch.

DetailInformation
TitleMoadra
DeveloperGloomsoft
PublisherGloomsoft
Release dateOctober 22, 2026
PlatformsXbox Series X|S, PC, handheld
Age ratingMature 17+
Player modeSingle player
SettingProtea VI, a sand-swept alien world
ProtagonistMoadra, searching for lost Neera heritage
Store pageOfficial Moadra listing on Xbox.com

Two things stand out immediately. First, Gloomsoft is handling both development and publishing, which usually means a tighter, more singular vision than a large publisher-driven production. Second, the game is strictly single player — there is no co-op or multiplayer mode to split your attention. This is a game designed to be absorbed alone, at your own pace.

What Kind of Game Is Moadra?

Moadra is an exploration-driven action-adventure built around a massive, interconnected world. You play as the title character, a survivor piecing together what happened to the Neera — a civilization that went extinct 20,000 years before the story begins. The structure rewards curiosity: hidden paths, secret rooms, and optional discoveries are the main course, not side dressing.

Combat is deliberately challenging. Gloomsoft describes encounters that scale from minor organisms to gargantuan monsters that force you to use every tool in your kit. That combination — punishing fights plus open-ended exploration — puts Moadra in the same conversation as modern metroidvanias and soulslike-adjacent action games, though its sand-blasted science-fiction identity is very much its own.

The world itself is split across distinct biomes: the desolate surface, deadly freezing summits, and a research facility overrun by hostile alien species. Each area has its own hazards, and the game expects you to adapt rather than brute-force your way through.

Performance and Features on Moadra Xbox Series X

The store listing advertises an unusually rich feature set for a first console release. Here is what each capability actually means when you sit down to play.

FeatureWhat It Means for You
4K Ultra HDSharper environmental detail, which matters in a game built on spotting hidden paths
60 fps+Smoother combat timing for dodge and parry windows
120 fps supportHigher frame rates on compatible displays, useful for the sprint-and-evade playstyle
Variable Refresh RateReduces screen tearing during fast camera movement
Optimized for Xbox Series X|SBuilt for current-gen hardware rather than patched afterward
Xbox cloud savesProgress follows your profile across devices
Xbox Play AnywhereBuy once and play on Xbox and PC with shared saves and achievements
Xbox achievementsStandard achievement support at launch

One caveat worth stating plainly: the store page lists 4K, 60 fps+, and 120 fps as capabilities of the Xbox Series X|S version without breaking them down console by console. Treat Series X as the flagship target and Series S as the value option, and check in-game display settings rather than assuming every mode is available on every box. Player experience reports on frame rate modes will vary by television and setup, so the official listing remains the authoritative reference.

The Systems That Drive Progression

Moadra's growth loop is not a simple XP bar. The game layers traversal upgrades, gear, and biological evolution on top of each other.

SystemHow It WorksWhy It Matters
Agility movesetRoll, dodge, leap, wall jump, and sprint at high speedMovement is your primary defense against organisms and environmental hazards
Scanner botDeploy it to examine creatures and terrainReveals hidden paths and secret areas invisible to the naked eye
X-ray visionDeep-scans your surroundingsHelps map out areas you have already explored
ProtoplasmAbsorbed from destroyed hostile organismsThe core resource that fuels everything else
Organic chambersConsume Protoplasm inside themTriggers metamorphosis
MetamorphosisApplies permanent upgradesEvolves abilities and weapons to new levels

The elegant part is how these interlock. Exploration finds you resources; resources make you stronger; strength opens previously lethal routes; new routes reveal more of the map. The scanner bot is the quiet MVP here — players who ignore it will find Protea VI far more hostile than it needs to be.

Moadra Xbox Series X vs. Other Platforms

Because the game supports Xbox Play Anywhere, your purchase decision is less about locking into one device and more about where you prefer to play.

PlatformWhat the Listing ConfirmsBest For
Xbox Series XOptimized build, 4K Ultra HD, 60 fps+, 120 fps, VRRLiving-room play on a large 4K TV
Xbox Series SOptimized build, same core feature listBudget setups and secondary rooms
PCIncluded via Play AnywherePlayers who want mouse-and-keyboard or tinkering
HandheldListed as a supported play optionCommutes and short sessions

For most people, the Moadra Xbox Series X version is the straightforward pick: it is the console the game's presentation was clearly tuned for, and Play Anywhere means a PC copy comes along for the ride. Handheld play is a genuine bonus for a game built around map exploration — short sessions spent scanning a new corridor are a natural fit.

Getting Started: Practical Tips for Protea VI

The opening hours of Moadra are unforgiving if you rush. These habits will save you a lot of frustration.

PriorityActionReason
1Scan every new room before fightingHidden paths and resource caches are easy to walk past
2Practice wall jumps in safe areasTraversal precision is required, not optional
3Bank Protoplasm regularlyMetamorphosis is your main power spike
4Note locked routesYou will return with new abilities
5Fight one tier below your comfort levelLearning enemy patterns beats trading damage

A few more pointers:

  • Look up constantly. Vertical exploration is where most secrets hide in this kind of interconnected world.
  • Treat the freezing summits as a gear check. If an area is draining you faster than you can react, you are probably there early.
  • Use the research facility for practice. Dense enemy populations are ideal for learning dodge timing.
  • Do not hoard metamorphosis charges. Upgrading early compounds across the rest of your run.
  • Keep a mental map of dead ends. Backtracking is a feature of the genre, and the scanner helps you remember what you skipped.

Is Moadra Xbox Series X Worth Playing?

If you like games that trust you to find your own way, Moadra is built for you. Gloomsoft has assembled a package that hits the right notes for the genre: a hostile, hand-crafted world, a movement system with real depth, combat that demands attention, and a progression loop tied directly to exploration rather than grinding. The Moadra Xbox Series X build adds the technical layer that makes it comfortable to play on a modern television — 4K, high frame rates, VRR, and cloud saves that keep your progress portable.

The honest caveats are the ones baked into the design. It is single player only, it is rated Mature 17+, and it is clearly not a hand-holding experience. Players who want guided objectives and generous checkpoints should adjust expectations. Everyone else should go in ready to explore, scan, and evolve — the game rewards exactly that.

FAQ

Is Moadra available on Xbox Series X? Yes. Moadra launched on October 22, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and handheld, and the store listing marks it as optimized for Xbox Series X|S with 4K Ultra HD, 60 fps+, and 120 fps support.

Does the Moadra Xbox Series X version support cross-saves with PC? It does, through Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox cloud saves. Buying the digital version gives you access on both Xbox and PC with shared progress and achievements.

Is Moadra multiplayer or co-op? No. The listing confirms single player only, so the entire experience is a solo exploration and combat campaign.

How long does it take to finish? Gloomsoft has not published an official completion time, and player experience will vary widely depending on how thoroughly you explore. Expect a longer run if you chase secrets and optional upgrades rather than sticking to the critical path.

What is the age rating? Moadra is rated Mature 17+, so it is intended for adult players.