Review: Moonlighter 2

When the shopkeeper decides to leave the counter to fight monsters and come back with a fully stocked inventory.

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Starting my journey in Moonlighter 2, I carried with me all the love and experience from the first game. I had completed absolutely everything in the original, so my expectations for this sequel were sky-high.

The first Moonlighter was one of the most memorable experiences I had in the last generation, combining the life of a merchant with the thrill of dungeon exploration.

STORY

In this second chapter, the narrative tone gains more weight. The protagonist Will returns to his role as an adventurous merchant, but the context is now darker and more ambitious. After the events of the first game, a mysterious new force begins to corrupt the interdimensional portals, pulling Will once again into a cycle of discovery and danger. The plot keeps the franchise’s charm and mystery while expanding the universe of Rynoka, giving more depth to the characters and the mythology of the portals.

What was once a simple curiosity to explore and sell now becomes an epic journey involving the balance between worlds and dimensions.

GAMEPLAY

The gameplay evolution is clear from the very first moments. Moonlighter 2 keeps the essence of the original but refines and expands nearly every system. Dungeon exploration remains the heart of the game, now presented in a 2.5D isometric format. The new perspective completely changes the way the game feels, adding depth and dynamism to every encounter.

You start with only the basics, a broom and a slime pistol, and it’s immediately clear that there’s room to grow. Weapons are divided into categories like short swords, spears, and merchant gauntlets, each offering a unique combat style. The dodge and roll mechanics are tighter and smoother, and you can even knock enemies off cliffs with your backpack, adding a creative twist to battles.

Combat feels faster, more strategic, and deeply satisfying. The customization system is broader, letting you upgrade your character and gear more freely. The crafting and shopkeeping mechanics remain major highlights, and managing your store is just as enjoyable as diving into dungeons.

The town serves as a central hub, where you interact with NPCs, blacksmiths, and traders. Dungeon divisions are now separated by kingdoms, starting with the Diurnal Kingdom, and you unlock others as you progress. Everything feels more expansive, more alive, and more closely tied to your overall progression.

VISUALS AND SOUND

The visual leap is astonishing. Moonlighter 2 moves away from the pixel-art 2D of the first game, embracing a 2.5D isometric style that gives the series a fresh identity. The environments are richly detailed, the colors pop beautifully, and the animations are among the smoothest ever seen in an indie game.

Enemy designs, particle effects, and dynamic lighting all showcase impressive technical polish. However, this visual fidelity comes at a cost, as the game demands a strong PC, with recommended specs even suggesting an RTX 3060 for optimal performance.

The soundtrack continues the series’ tradition of immersive melodies that perfectly balance the adventurous spirit with the calm of shopkeeping. It’s one of the most well-composed soundtracks in the genre, enhancing both the exploration and the intensity of combat.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The achievements follow the same spirit as the first game but are now more varied. There are challenges tied to weapon types, dungeon times, and even shop management tasks. The progression system feels more balanced, rewarding both exploration and commerce equally.

This is exactly how achievements should be done, engaging, rewarding, and naturally connected to how you play.

TRAILER OFFICIAL

RESUME

Even while playing an early access version, I could feel the care and passion poured into every detail. The game is already fully localized in Brazilian Portuguese, with redesigned menus and a much more intuitive interface.

I spent hours immersed in this world and was genuinely impressed by the level of polish, the amount of content, and the clear love the developers have for this project.

Moonlighter 2 doubles everything the first game did right — more systems, more emotion, more depth. Even with a few bugs, like getting stuck mid-roll on stairs, none of that dulls the brilliance of the experience.

This is a sequel that truly understands what made the original special while boldly evolving in every direction. Everything that worked before has been refined and expanded. The new visuals, refreshed combat, improved commerce systems, and vibrant world make it one of the year’s best indie surprises.

Despite small technical flaws, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the result. Moonlighter 2 is proof that sequels can evolve with both ambition and heart.

SCORE:88/100

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