Unlocking Wealth: How Moonlighter 2 Could Be My Best ‘Get Rich Quick’ Scheme Yet!

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I’ve thought through an elaborate and carefully designed strategy in case I miraculously become a billionaire. It used to be a million, but these days that’s not enough. Whether it happens by winning the lottery (though I don’t gamble), inheriting from a wealthy relative (none in my family have wealth), or striking it rich on YouTube like MrBeast (I only use YouTube for music), I can’t predict. But I do have a strategy ready, one that prevents me from squandering it all through foolish spending, while still allowing me to indulge in some extravagances. In essence, I have a plan. The closest I might ever come to putting this plan into action, if I’m being honest with myself, was my recent experience with Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault.

I recently participated in 11 bit studios’ interactive workshop held in Warsaw, Poland. During this event, I had the opportunity to play several hours of “The Alters” and also spend a brief moment with “Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault.” It is evident that there have been significant updates since the initial game; however, the fundamental aspects remain consistent. Players reprise their role as Will, the Merchant-Hero, continuing the story from where it left off in the first installment. This time around, players discover themselves in a peculiar village called Tresna, where an unyielding landlord insists on rent for a shop we haven’t yet opened. Previously, Will was an aspiring merchant with dreams of being a hero; after accomplishing some aspects of his aspirations, he now confronts the harsh realities of capitalism as his ultimate weapon.

Moonlighter 2’s Gameplay Loop

In Moonlighter 2, we find ourselves being kicked out of our place by the landlord and sent through a portal into a dungeon. He requires us to gather relics to settle our overdue rent. Despite the debate on the economic viability and return on investment of this unexpected journey, we embark on the tutorial.

The first thing fans of Moonlighter will notice (and they already have) is the shift from its 16-bit era-inspired pixel art style to a 3D visual presentation. Fortunately, this change doesn’t alter the game’s essence; it maintains the distinct feel of Moonlighter. It seems more like an evolutionary sequel than a strange departure or repetition, which showcases Digital Sun’s knack for blending the novel with the familiar.

In Moonlighter 2, battles have significantly evolved, making them more of an engaging puzzle to conquer rather than an obstacle to overcome. Players still possess melee abilities, but certain enemies necessitate ranged attacks—which may require charging through with melee attacks. Moreover, when enemies are stunned, you can use Will’s backpack to smash them, sending them flying across the map, crashing into walls, falling off ledges, or even colliding with other foes. The combat in Moonlighter 2 is both exhilarating and hectic, as players must dodge enemies, manage multiple on-screen elements (and off), all while balancing a few resources such as health and so forth.

In this guide, players get their initial glimpse into the primary dungeon setting of the game – a desert resembling the Wild West. This area will be frequented by players for several runs following the completion of the initial run and shop work. Here, we encounter the familiar rhythm of Moonlighter 2: exploring dungeons, collecting artifacts, returning to town, and then selling these items. The narrative also progresses during this transition, reacquainting us with characters like Andrei and Eris, as well as introducing The Endless Vault. This vault sets the main objective of the game, which involves becoming wealthy fairly fast. It’s worth noting that this could be the only instance where I find myself using the phrase “landlord and I” in a similar context.

Running the Shop

In Moonlighter 2, players can enhance not only the shop but also the entire town of Tresna. However, when we started, all we had was a basic store. It featured four showcases where we’d display our relics for potential buyers. As soon as customers entered, something would malfunction or spill, demanding immediate attention. The pressures of retail work were vividly portrayed in an enjoyable manner. On rare occasions, irate customers would appear, and anyone familiar with retail work knows that dealing with them is just part of the job.

In the relentless world of capitalism, there’s no pause button for anyone, and while the chaos unfolds, we must discern when customers are ready to purchase something. We engage with them in a playful exchange that resembles a mini-game, where we try to persuade and negotiate our way to more resources (our landlord and I are always listening). This mini-game can be influenced by the upgrades purchased from the shop in Moonlighter 2, fostering the illusion that wealth can be amassed through retail, albeit not a viable “get rich quick” scheme. I’m uncertain if it would be worth it. Nevertheless, this game provides an entertaining way to accumulate resources in Moonlighter 2, but our initial funds weren’t sufficient to achieve the first objective from The Endless Vault. In reality, nobody gets rich that swiftly by working in retail. We were able to procure some potion and weapon upgrades from town NPCs, though, and prepared for our next roguelike dungeon adventure.

Shopping the Runs

In the upcoming game Moonlighter 2, we don’t start off as heroes; instead, our main focus is on surviving and thriving in a capitalist world. This involves braving treacherous dungeons in search of valuable artifacts. Returning to a desert dungeon, we battled through to the end of one room. The most fitting description for these dungeons in Moonlighter 2 would be as a series of connected chambers or spaces. At the conclusion of each chamber, players can collect the reward and decide on the next one’s reward. Players may opt for higher difficulties offering greater loot or choose the safer route. The landlord might prefer us to go for the highest-value treasure every time, but players must also think about their health and chances of surviving the following chamber. Additional options could include NPC appearances to gain more potions or rooms offering upgrades for the current run.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but revel in the thrill of stocking my pack during a Moonlighter 2 adventure! Initially, you’re given a set number of inventory spaces, restricting the amount we can carry out from the dungeon. However, the way we enhance the worth of our loot is what truly makes it enjoyable. Managing your backpack is reminiscent of the item case in Resident Evil 4, but with a more entrepreneurial flair. Instead of simply grabbing standard relics at the end of each room, there’s always at least one cursed relic to contend with. These cursed relics can significantly boost the value of other relics or their own worth under specific circumstances, making backpack management crucial for swift riches.

All in all, going on shopping sprees and managing a store brings a great deal of enjoyment. It shares the fundamental gameplay structure found in Moonlighter 1, but enhances it with thoughtful upgrades to maintain player engagement throughout. Moreover, during the initial stages when the emphasis is on earning money, it strikes a chord as it feels quite relatable.

Moonlighter 2 May Not Actually Make Me Rich, But…

Engaging in the game Moonlighter 2 might not realistically turn me into a millionaire, upon reflection, but I must admit that my brief playtime was genuinely enjoyable. The game’s basic concept resonates well, its gameplay maintains ease while incorporating insightful enhancements, and it boasts a robust base to expand its fundamental mechanics into something entertaining, highly addictive, and potentially more demanding.

We’re both excited for the summer 2025 launch of Moonlighter 2, which we can’t wait to see!

In Summer 2025, Moonlighter 2 is set for release. For this preview, Game Rant received accommodations and transportation.

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2025-05-26 18:08