11 bit studios and Moonlighter developers Digital Sun have announced a release window for their upcoming follow-up to the roguelike shop keeper game, Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault. Originally released in 2018, the Action RPG, Moonlighter, utilized a Legend of Zelda dungeon system to farm items and live out a shopkeeper’s dreams of becoming a hero.
The trailer shows off a series of things that leave me a little excited for the sequel. Primarily, the dungeon design looks much better than the original game. Moonlighter 1, I felt, suffered from being a worse version of dungeon crawling in the original The Legend of Zelda. I loved the shop-keeping element but dreaded going into the dungeon. Moonlighter 2’s dungeon design looks, from the trailer, considerably better. Favoring more open spaces, new combat, and a more vibrant art style. Our protagonist, Will, is back in a new location with a new store but with the same problems. Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault maintains a similar gameplay style with returning friends, haggling for better deals, and offering shop upgrades with a considerable amount of new things specific to Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault.
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault Key Features
- Will Is Back To Business! – Dive deep into Action-RPG with roguelike elements and a tale about new beginnings. With no coin to your name, you and the other townsfolk find yourselves stranded in the distant village of Tresna. Now, it’s up to you to get back on your feet and turn your humble shop into the beating heart of the village’s wealth. Explore dangerous dungeons, gather relics, sell them, and reinvest in your friends’ establishments. Unlock new weapons, armor, shop decorations, and—more importantly—restore hope that things can one day turn around.
- Fortune Favors The Bold – Strap on your trusty backpack, hone your weapons, and venture into the unknown in search of new riches. The further you delve, the larger the treasure. Tread carefully, though. Let greed take hold, and you risk losing it all.
- Money Never Sleeps – After each escapade, you put your hard-earned loot on sale. That’s where your shop-owner charm will shine. Decorate the layout of the shop floor, haggle for the best deals, and handle unexpected events to maximize your profits. Whether it’s simple junk or shiny relics, everything has a price.
- Towards Prosperity – A merchant can only be as prosperous as their village. Invest in the townsfolks’ establishments to obtain better weapons, armor, and upgrades. As the village thrives and grows more vibrant, new people (and money!) will be drawn towards your shop.
- A New Home – Set a new home in the blob-brimming, vivid land of Tresna. Meet the locals, from the vigorous blacksmith to a witty witch, amongst many others! Be it upgrading gear, purchasing decorations, or loitering around, Tresna is a place you’ll never want to leave.
The new 3D look gives the game a more vibrant and spatial feel that I think might’ve been missing from the first game. The press release drops some interesting information about the location as well:
And while you’re stuck in Tresna for now—a brand-new location in the series, born from a dimensional mash-up—you might as well try to prosper together with the local townsfolk. Invest in the flourishing village of Tresna, shape its future, and unlock new opportunities for your own success.
It would appear Will isn’t just stuck with his shop, he’s managed to find himself stuck in another dimension. This little twist on the story has me excited for another adventure in Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault. While no official release date has been given, Digital Sun and 11 bit studios are aiming for a Summer 2025 release date. If you’re interested in Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault at all, make sure to give it a wishlist on the Steam page. Only PC has been announced so far, but stay tuned as we’ll have more updates on Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault leading up to release.
