Will is an adventurous shopkeeper that secretly dreams of becoming a hero. By day he runs a shop that sells curios of the ancient ruins outside town, and by night he explores those same ruin... Read allWill is an adventurous shopkeeper that secretly dreams of becoming a hero. By day he runs a shop that sells curios of the ancient ruins outside town, and by night he explores those same ruins.Will is an adventurous shopkeeper that secretly dreams of becoming a hero. By day he runs a shop that sells curios of the ancient ruins outside town, and by night he explores those same ruins.
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- ConnectionsFeatured in Previously Recorded: Moonlighter VS Recettear (2018)
Featured review
Dungeon Delving and Shopkeeping
At the core of every roguelike-style game lies its difficulty, replayability, freedom, and, most importantly, its gameplay loop, all aimed at captivating players for many hours of enjoyment. Moonlighter encompasses all these aspects with meticulous attention to each of its mechanics. However, while the dungeon-crawling elements are executed exceptionally well, as expected from any roguelike, it's the simple yet engaging management mechanics involving owning a shop and selling items obtained from fallen enemies that truly shine.
Gameplay:
Moonlighter masterfully combines the thrill of dungeon-crawling with the intricacies of a store management simulator. The protagonist embarks on a journey through five forgotten dungeons, each housing unique enemies and specific requirements. Items acquired from defeated foes can be collected and then either used to upgrade equipment or put up for sale. The shop management aspect, forming the second core gameplay element, brings a dynamic market where pricing invokes emotional responses from customers. Throughout the day, various events unfold in the store, from daring thieves attempting to snatch hard-earned items to affluent patrons making grandiose entrances. Even NPCs approach, requesting specific items. These NPCs often seek items from your current dungeon or previous ones, prompting players to weigh the value of the reward. A shop assistant serves multiple roles, including thwarting thieves or temporarily taking charge of the store in exchange for a share of the profits. Customers' reactions vary based on pricing and perceived value, ranging from contented smiles (Ah, this item's a steal, dinner is on me tonight) to disgruntled frowns (This guy's trying to swindle us; I won't be returning). Striking a delicate balance between fetching the best price for an item and keeping customers content is a pivotal challenge.
Story:
Your mission is to resurrect a once-thriving city that has seen better days, to turn near-nothingness into a vibrant community. This essentially involves crafting something out of nearly nothing, accompanied by intriguing revelations and a mildly surprising twist towards the journey's conclusion. While the story has its moments of intrigue, it isn't the standout feature; gameplay aptly compensates for any narrative shortcomings.
Graphics and Animation:
In the realm of Moonlighter, everything sways and undulates in the breeze. Graphics possess a subjective allure, where what captivates one person might not resonate with another. Moonlighter employs a distinctive, cartoony art style that imbues environments and creatures with lively animations, creating an endearing atmosphere. Some adversaries boast exaggerated wind-up animations, preceding their basic or charged attacks. This attention to detail extends to the main character as well. Inside the shop, each collected item finds its place, often shielded by glass panels, ensuring protection from would-be thieves.
Music and Sound Cues:
Indie games inhabit a unique space within the gaming industry. While budget constraints might preclude them from hiring full orchestras or renowned composers, their resourcefulness and creativity often shine through. Moonlighter embraces this indie spirit, offering a soundtrack with medieval undertones enhanced by sprinkles of magical flair. On the auditory front, sound cues are particularly exceptional. Whether it's the resounding clash of a weapon, the thud of a fall, or the varied sounds of contentment or dissatisfaction from clients, these cues punctuate the experience adeptly.
Customization:
Customization unfolds through the acquisition of armour and furniture for your shop. Each piece of armour, finely crafted and geared toward different attributes, presents unique gameplay possibilities. The heaviest armour maximizes health but hampers mobility, while another set might adopt the opposite approach. Each armour piece subtly alters your character's appearance. Likewise, furniture purchases for the store introduce both visual changes and tangible effects. These effects range from hastening customer movement and dwell times to extending business hours and diminishing the threat of theft. These incremental changes combine to create an immersive gaming experience, instilling a sense of purposeful progression.
Weapon Variety:
The backbone of your offensive capabilities encompasses a selection of melee and ranged weapons. Choices range from sword-and-shield combinations, two-handed swords, spears, brass knuckles, to bows. Just as with armour, each weapon choice aligns with a distinct playstyle. Personally, I opted for the two-handed sword and paired it with heavy (albeit slow) armor, a combination that proved remarkably effective.
End-Game State:
Following completion of the main game-having conquered every dungeon, sold all the necessary items, and unravelled the game's twist-what lies ahead? Challenge yourself by navigating dungeons using only one weapon or abstaining from potions. Discover the perfect selling price for each item (there are numerous items to consider), strive to attain every achievement, or amass as much as you possibly can.
DLC:
Moonlighter's sole DLC, "Between Dimensions," introduces fresh challenges in the form of novel enemies, bosses, weapons, armour, and new tradeable items. Although I haven't personally played it, judging by the base game's polish and depth, I expect the DLC maintains a comparable level of quality. For fans of the original game seeking to extend their adventure, "Between Dimensions" seems to satisfy that desire admirably.
Moonlighter is available on various platforms, including Windows (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG.com, Humble Bundle, GameFly for PS4/Switch, Green Man Gaming, Xbox App), macOS, SteamOS + Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.
Gameplay:
Moonlighter masterfully combines the thrill of dungeon-crawling with the intricacies of a store management simulator. The protagonist embarks on a journey through five forgotten dungeons, each housing unique enemies and specific requirements. Items acquired from defeated foes can be collected and then either used to upgrade equipment or put up for sale. The shop management aspect, forming the second core gameplay element, brings a dynamic market where pricing invokes emotional responses from customers. Throughout the day, various events unfold in the store, from daring thieves attempting to snatch hard-earned items to affluent patrons making grandiose entrances. Even NPCs approach, requesting specific items. These NPCs often seek items from your current dungeon or previous ones, prompting players to weigh the value of the reward. A shop assistant serves multiple roles, including thwarting thieves or temporarily taking charge of the store in exchange for a share of the profits. Customers' reactions vary based on pricing and perceived value, ranging from contented smiles (Ah, this item's a steal, dinner is on me tonight) to disgruntled frowns (This guy's trying to swindle us; I won't be returning). Striking a delicate balance between fetching the best price for an item and keeping customers content is a pivotal challenge.
Story:
Your mission is to resurrect a once-thriving city that has seen better days, to turn near-nothingness into a vibrant community. This essentially involves crafting something out of nearly nothing, accompanied by intriguing revelations and a mildly surprising twist towards the journey's conclusion. While the story has its moments of intrigue, it isn't the standout feature; gameplay aptly compensates for any narrative shortcomings.
Graphics and Animation:
In the realm of Moonlighter, everything sways and undulates in the breeze. Graphics possess a subjective allure, where what captivates one person might not resonate with another. Moonlighter employs a distinctive, cartoony art style that imbues environments and creatures with lively animations, creating an endearing atmosphere. Some adversaries boast exaggerated wind-up animations, preceding their basic or charged attacks. This attention to detail extends to the main character as well. Inside the shop, each collected item finds its place, often shielded by glass panels, ensuring protection from would-be thieves.
Music and Sound Cues:
Indie games inhabit a unique space within the gaming industry. While budget constraints might preclude them from hiring full orchestras or renowned composers, their resourcefulness and creativity often shine through. Moonlighter embraces this indie spirit, offering a soundtrack with medieval undertones enhanced by sprinkles of magical flair. On the auditory front, sound cues are particularly exceptional. Whether it's the resounding clash of a weapon, the thud of a fall, or the varied sounds of contentment or dissatisfaction from clients, these cues punctuate the experience adeptly.
Customization:
Customization unfolds through the acquisition of armour and furniture for your shop. Each piece of armour, finely crafted and geared toward different attributes, presents unique gameplay possibilities. The heaviest armour maximizes health but hampers mobility, while another set might adopt the opposite approach. Each armour piece subtly alters your character's appearance. Likewise, furniture purchases for the store introduce both visual changes and tangible effects. These effects range from hastening customer movement and dwell times to extending business hours and diminishing the threat of theft. These incremental changes combine to create an immersive gaming experience, instilling a sense of purposeful progression.
Weapon Variety:
The backbone of your offensive capabilities encompasses a selection of melee and ranged weapons. Choices range from sword-and-shield combinations, two-handed swords, spears, brass knuckles, to bows. Just as with armour, each weapon choice aligns with a distinct playstyle. Personally, I opted for the two-handed sword and paired it with heavy (albeit slow) armor, a combination that proved remarkably effective.
End-Game State:
Following completion of the main game-having conquered every dungeon, sold all the necessary items, and unravelled the game's twist-what lies ahead? Challenge yourself by navigating dungeons using only one weapon or abstaining from potions. Discover the perfect selling price for each item (there are numerous items to consider), strive to attain every achievement, or amass as much as you possibly can.
DLC:
Moonlighter's sole DLC, "Between Dimensions," introduces fresh challenges in the form of novel enemies, bosses, weapons, armour, and new tradeable items. Although I haven't personally played it, judging by the base game's polish and depth, I expect the DLC maintains a comparable level of quality. For fans of the original game seeking to extend their adventure, "Between Dimensions" seems to satisfy that desire admirably.
Moonlighter is available on various platforms, including Windows (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG.com, Humble Bundle, GameFly for PS4/Switch, Green Man Gaming, Xbox App), macOS, SteamOS + Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.
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- Pixelsinflow
- Aug 28, 2023
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