Moribund Reviews

Moribund is what happens when a group of friends decide to shoot each other in a post-apocalyptic wasteland and laugh about it later. Developed by Traptics, this chaotic 2D arena shooter thrives in the sweet spot between “easy to pick up” and “rage-inducingly competitive,” offering a delightfully deadly twist on local multiplayer action. The core mechanic is both clever and brutal: players use a gun that first immobilizes opponents with a gooey fungal blast and then follows up with a charged harpoon shot to finish them off. The beauty lies in the tension between these two actions—one false move or poorly timed shot, and you're the one getting skewered. There's no filler here. No XP bars, no skill trees—just pure, frantic fun. Environmental hazards like sawblades, lava pits, and exploding barrels keep things spicy. Think Duck Game meets TowerFall, with a splash of The Last of Us’s fungal aesthetic. Moribund is unapologetically focused on local multiplayer. It supports up to four players in either free-for-all or team modes. It also offers a handful of single-player challenge levels, but let's be honest: this is a party game. The kind you boot up when your friends are over, snacks are on the table, and grudges are ready to be formed. It’s not all perfect—lack of online multiplayer limits its reach, especially in an era where couch co-op is more of a luxury than a norm. The art direction is grimy in a good way—post-apocalyptic, gritty, but not overwhelming. Character models are distinct and colorful enough to avoid confusion during frantic skirmishes. However, some of the darker stages can make it hard to see what's going on in the heat of battle. It's atmospheric, but clarity sometimes takes a hit. The soundtrack slinks along in the background, enhancing the dystopian mood without stealing focus from the action. Each of the eight playable characters comes with their own voice lines and personalities, adding a welcome bit of flavor. They're not deep, but they don’t need to be—this is a game about blasting your friends off platforms, not telling a grand narrative. Moribund won’t be your main game—but it could easily become your go-to “friends are over” title. With sharp mechanics, devious level design, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting, it scratches the same itch as the best party brawlers. It’s rough around the edges and limited in scope, but if you’ve got controllers, a couch, and a competitive streak, Moribund delivers a bloody good time. Great for local multiplayer sessions. Limited by lack of online support, but it nails the core of what it sets out to do. Rating: 7/10