I’ve played quite a few great indie games on Nintendo Switch, but very few of them are comparable to Moonlighter. It’s one part dungeon crawler, one part management game, and two parts fantastic. If you’re a fan of games like Stardew Valley that attempt to redefine the RPG genre, then you’ll love this indie title from developer Digital Sun.
Despite the simplicity of the concept, Moonlighter is absolutely worth playing in 2021. With a unique mix of management, action, and core RPG elements, it keeps you on your toes as you play. All-in-all, if you like games that walk the line between relaxing and intense, there is nothing quite like Moonlighter to give you just that.
Moonlighter Review
What really makes Moonlighter worth playing is how well it blends game genres. By day you are a shop owner that sells wares to the town of Rynoka, but by night you are an adventurer that goes dungeon diving to collect items to sell in your shop. Whether your like management games or not, this unique spin on the genre will have you plunging into each dungeon with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Gameplay Is Unique
Before I found Moonlighter, playing Stardew Valley was the only experience I had with management RPGs. And while the two games offer a lot of similarities, Moonlighter leans a lot more heavily into the combat experience. It strikes the perfect balance of interacting with characters, managing a shop, and honing your fighting skills in the local dungeon. You play as the owner of a shop that closes up at night just so you can get a taste of adventure back in the dungeon.
Each dungeon offers a host of unique enemies with specific attack patterns and droppable loot. It is by no means easy to clear a dungeon, but the rewards you get for defeating your enemies allow you to sell items and improve your gear for the next dive. Each item you receive from the creatures you defeat needs to be priced fairly for your customers as well, adding some guesswork and management to your shop. As you grow as an adventurer, you naturally grow as a shop owner and both the town and your shop benefits from all your hard work.
A Simple and Engaging Story
Like any good RPG, Moonlighter has an engaging story to tie everything together. The general idea is that you are a shop owner with a taste of adventure. You can choose to progress through the game without really diving deeper into the story, but there is plenty of story to absorb along the way if you choose to. Each dungeon offers messages from previous adventurers you can read and you can further discuss lore with a nice old man any time you want. You can also interact with townsfolk, customers, and local shop owners you bring into town as the game progresses.
Beyond the lore, the core plot of the game is twofold. You are working to unlock all of the dungeons so you can eventually open the 5th and final door. At the same time, you are working to stimulate the economy in your local town and grow it to its former glory. You cannot do one without the other, and the plot is essential to mastering both shop ownership and adventuring.
Fun Combat Mechanics
Like any good dungeon crawler, Moonlighter is made fun by the balance of simple, yet difficult combat. You start out with nothing but a broom and the ability to dodge. Dodging is essential to your ability to survive the dungeon and you find this out very early. The first real weapon you use is a sword and shield, which allows you to get used to using multiple buttons for attacks and specials. You later get to choose between various upgradable weapons including bows, spears, and longswords.
The upgradeable weapons and armor allow you to better equip yourself for combat, but it’s a mastery of combat and enemy movements that will truly help you survive. Every enemy attack is avoidable if you can get your timing right, and the ability to switch between two weapons allows for unique attack combos that can help you fight.
Plenty of RPG Elements
Like any good RPG, Moonlighter offers upgrades, boss battles, and plenty of loot. Unlike many other games like this, however, you don’t earn experience to level up, you earn money. As a shop owner, every dungeon dive is a chance to find wares you can sell at high prices. As you progress from room to room in each dungeon, you will also have the opportunity to open chests and collect special resources and weapons that can help you grow.
Using the profits you make from selling wares from the dungeon, you help build the town by bringing in other merchants. You can build a forge to allow for upgradeable weapons and armor or an alchemy hut to allow for potions and enchantments. All of these things cost money and resources that you can only really get from going dungeon diving every night. Earning money and upgrading your gear is the only way you can truly beat this game.
Price and Availability
You can play this indie game on most platforms. It’s available for PS4, PC, Mac, Android, iOS, and the Nintendo Switch. If you’re looking to play it right now, I’d suggest getting it for the Nintendo Switch or on Steam for around $20. You can also pick up the game bundled with the DLC for just $8 more, which I would definitely recommend.
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