‘Moonlighter 2’ has one of the most infectious gameplay loops of 2026 — Raid dungeons, sell the loot, grow your shop, become RICH

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My favorite publisher has just released the sequel to a fantastic game from the last decade! Digital Sun developed and 11 bit studios published Moonlighter in 2018 – it’s an action RPG where you play as Will, a shopkeeper trying to revive his family’s business. Will explores dangerous dungeons at night to find valuable items, then sells them in his shop during the day.

Moonlighter combines the thrill of exploring dangerous dungeons with the relaxing pace of running your own shop. It’s a unique blend of action, adventure, and RPG elements, all presented with beautiful pixel art and a classic, top-down perspective reminiscent of the original Zelda games.

After seven years, Digital Sun and 11 bit studios are teaming up again for a new adventure with Will, this time exploring dungeons.

A whole new world to explore

After the events of the ‘Between Dimensions’ expansion for Moonlighter, Will has left his home in Rynoka behind. His days of running a shop and exploring dungeons have led him to a completely new world. This sequel isn’t just a new location, though – it also features a visual overhaul, moving away from the original pixel art style to a more modern, 3D look similar to recent Zelda games like Breath of the Wild, viewed from an overhead perspective.

Moonlighter 2 continues the gameplay of exploring dungeons for valuable relics, which you’ll sell in your shop to earn money. You’ll use those profits to improve Will’s gear and supplies, and also share wealth with other merchants in town. This sequel introduces new elements, too – you’ll need to carefully consider which relics to collect and how to best manage your limited backpack space, adding a new layer of strategy to the game.

In Moonlighter 2, players can find stolen items in the Kalina Desert that have special effects – some cause burning, while others add armor. The game isn’t just about *collecting* these items, but also about strategically organizing them in Will’s backpack. The value of certain items can change based on whether they’re burned or armored, and some can even break if affected by these conditions. Players need to carefully consider how they store items to maximize their worth when returning to Tresna.

Each type of dungeon environment introduces unique effects that can change how relics behave. For example, the second dungeon Will can explore features ‘relic shock,’ which can destroy relics if it gets too strong. A new item called ‘batteries’ helps prevent this destruction. It can be tricky to manage all of this at the beginning, and you’ll need to experiment to find the best way to upgrade your items without losing them. But once you learn the system, you’ll be rewarded with lots of valuable loot.

Modifiers don’t only change relics; they impact entire dungeon runs. You might encounter NPCs offering unusual challenges – for example, they could boost your damage if you avoid certain weapons – or even find a blacksmith to upgrade your gear. Like traditional roguelikes, each run lets you choose your own path. Icons mark points of interest, showing you what awaits, such as tough enemies, helpful characters, or useful upgrades.

Bring prosperity to a whole new town

In Moonlighter 1, Will’s success in reviving his family’s shop boosted the entire village of Rynoka. As Will prospered, so did the other shopkeepers. This continues in Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault. By exploring new dungeons, Will finds valuable relics to sell, attracting even more customers. The profits he earns are then reinvested back into the community by shopping at other stores.

While better potions, armor, and weapons are great additions in Moonlighter 2, the game goes further by letting players customize Will’s shop. You can now buy better display cases to increase the value of items and add decorations to create a more appealing atmosphere, encouraging customers to spend their money.

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault enters early access

As an analyst, I’m happy to report that Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault is now available in early access on PC for $29.99. What’s great for Xbox and PC Game Pass Ultimate subscribers is that they can jump right in and start playing at no additional cost. The developers, 11 bit studios and Digital Sun, have also confirmed that a full launch on Xbox Series X|S is planned, though they haven’t announced a specific release date just yet. It’s been a while coming, but players can finally experience the next chapter of Moonlighter!

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2025-11-25 21:10