Video Game Review: Moonlighter

Moonlighter

11 Bit Studios

Roguelike

Nintendo Switch

In my review of Children of Morta, I mentioned how common dungeon crawlers and roguelike games are on the Nintendo Switch. I also wrote that Children of Morta is one of the best games that utilize both roguelike and dungeon crawling mechanics. After playing 11 Bit Studios’ other title Moonlighter, I’m convinced that the studio simply gets how to make great titles within these genres.

Moonlighter is another action role-playing game featuring retro graphics and roguelike elements. Players take control of Will, a little guy who fancies himself a dungeon crawler at night time. During the day Will runs a shop called Moonlighter where he sells the loot he found the night before. As Will grows his shop the town around him will find some new life too, leading to a wonderful sense of progression. The story is rather simple but still enjoyable, giving players just enough of a nudge to keep moving forward.

Exploring dungeons is pretty simple, but Moonlighter makes the most of its mechanics. The dungeons are randomly generated upon entering them and are essentially a bunch of rooms laid out in a grid like a 2D Zelda game. Players will use various weapons like swords and spears to defeat monsters, claim loot, and make it back up to the surface in one piece. Deciding when exactly to turn back will be a decision in the back of the player’s mind every time, leading to a balancing act between aggressive and thoughtful gameplay.

The shop mechanic is essential for progressing deeper into the dungeons. Players can choose what they will sell and also set the price of their products. Players will obtain money, then they can use those funds to get better gear. Gauging the demand of products is a key aspect of shopkeeping, and players will need to find the sweet spot. The store can be expanded upon, giving players more access to income. It’s a cute little store simulator that breaks up the action.

The shopkeeping mechanic is also an artificial way to make Moonlighter easier than most games that utilize roguelike mechanics. Rather than progressing through learning and dying, players can simply get better loot to make the dungeons easier. Moonlighter is one of the easier games in the genre, making it accessible to those who are aren’t used to brutal gameplay.

The day and night cycle comes together well, giving players a unique experience. It’s all enjoyable, especially in the beginning, but the game can be a bit shallow. Neither the dungeon crawling nor the shopkeeping is full of depth, and after a few hours, players will more or less be masters of both. After this, Moonlighter will mostly consist of grinding the same gameplay mechanics until players finish the game. It’s still enjoyable from start to finish, but some of the charm is lost at around the midway point.

Still, Moonlighter‘s charm doesn’t just come from its gameplay. The entire game has a gorgeous aesthetic that few pixel games achieve. Everything looks so cute, and the incredible colors bring everything to life. The game maintains this aesthetic whether the switch is being played on the go or is docked, making it look great anywhere. The character and monster animations are clean and diverse, and every encounter feels unique.

Moonlighter is another successful title by 11 Bit Studios. Some will find the grind repetitive, but the solid gameplay loop and unique balance of shop simulator and dungeon crawler keep it engaging. Plus it is cute as heck.