Moonlighter 2: A Stunning 3D Sequel to the Indie Classic

When Moonlighter first opened its pixelated doors in 2018, it struck a golden balance that few indie games manage to find. It was one part Zelda-esque dungeon crawler, one part Recettear shopkeeping simulator, and entirely charming. Now, nearly eight years later, Digital Sun has returned with a sequel that doesn’t just polish the furniture—it renovates the entire building.

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault transports our favorite merchant-hero Will from the familiar streets of Rynoka to the mysterious village of Tresna. But the most significant change isn’t the location; it’s the dimension. Swapping the beloved 2D pixel art for a vibrant 3D world, this sequel aims to deepen every mechanic that made the original a hit. Does it succeed? Absolutely, though, like any grand opening, there are a few boxes left unpacked in the aisles.

Currently in Early Access, Moonlighter 2 is a confident, addictive, and beautiful expansion of the merchant-adventurer loop. It asks a simple question: Can you save the world and still turn a profit?

From Pixel Art to Pop-Up Book

The most immediate shock for returning fans is the visual overhaul. The original game was a masterclass in pixel art, so the shift to 3D was a risky gamble. Fortunately, it pays off. The world of Moonlighter 2 looks like a living, breathing pop-up book. The colors are punchy and vibrant, retaining the whimsy of the original while adding a new sense of depth and verticality to the dungeons.

This shift isn’t just aesthetic; it impacts gameplay. Dungeons feel more spacious, combat feels more dynamic with the added dimension, and the town of Tresna feels like a bustling community rather than a flat backdrop. The “beloved visual style now in 3D” claim isn’t just marketing fluff—it genuinely translates the soul of the first game into a new medium without losing its identity.

The Grind: Backpacks, Haggling, and Profits

At its core, Moonlighter 2 retains the addictive loop of its predecessor: dive into dungeons by night, sell your loot by day. However, the sequel adds layers of complexity, making the “merchant” side of the equation feel much more involved.

The inventory management system has received a significant upgrade. The game teases that “your backpack becomes a weapon,” and it means this quite literally in terms of strategy. Arranging loot isn’t just about fitting shapes into a grid; it’s about maximizing profit through clever placement and dealing with cursed items that might destroy or transform adjacent loot. It turns the act of looting into a puzzle game in itself.

Back at the shop, the experience is deeper. You aren’t just placing items and waiting for people to buy them. You are haggling for better deals, reading customer reactions, and managing the shop’s flow during busy hours. The sequel introduces more ways to customize and upgrade your space, allowing for a greater sense of ownership. As the roadmap indicates, future updates will bring even more shop levels, showcases, and decorations, but even in its current state, running the shop feels frantic and rewarding.

“Live the double life of a fearless adventurer and a crafty merchant! …Battered scrap or shiny relic, their value isn’t fixed; it’s decided by you!”

The Endless Vault: Roguelike Evolution

On the action-RPG side, Moonlighter 2 leans harder into its roguelike elements. The “Endless Vault” serves as the central mystery and the primary dungeon-crawling loop. The combat has been refined, offering a wider variety of weapons and a new perk system that allows for more distinct builds.

You’ll find nearly 100 shop and dungeon perks that change how you approach combat. Some might boost your damage based on how much gold you’re carrying, while others might grant elemental effects to your broom (yes, you can still fight with a broom). The shift to 3D combat can feel a little loose at times—some Steam reviews note that controls can feel “clunky” or “unresponsive” compared to the tight grid-based movement of the first game—but the sheer variety of options makes up for it.

The roguelike nature means that failure is part of the process. However, the game does a good job of respecting your time. Even a failed run usually yields some resources or knowledge that helps you push a bit further next time. It’s “easy to pick up and fun to master,” catering to both veterans of the genre and newcomers looking for a cozy yet challenging adventure.

The Early Access Elephant

It is important to remember that Moonlighter 2 is an Early Access title, released on November 19, 2025. While the core loop is solid, the game is currently “under construction.”

The Roadmap (As of Dec 2025):

• Current State: You get the EA release, which includes optimization fixes, 3 biomes, and the core loop.
• 1st Content Update (Coming Soon): Will add the 5th challenge of the Endless Vault, a new skill tree at Eris, and balancing for perks and relics.
• 2nd Content Update: Brings the 6th challenge, Shop Level IV (more space!), and… Pets! (Yes, the Pet Seller is coming).
• 1.0 Release: Will feature the story ending, the 7th challenge, and console versions.

The Early Access status also explains the performance issues. A significant chunk of user reviews cite “widespread performance issues” and “frequent stuttering,” particularly on the Steam Deck. Digital Sun has already released patches (including the one on Nov 28) to address stuttering, but players should expect some technical hiccups as the game approaches its 1.0 release.

https://shared.fastly.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/2350790/extras/74eec0d3818ca389939edc03952e01cc.webm?t=1765295930

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
✅ Visuals: A stunning transition to 3D that keeps the original’s charm.	❌ Performance: Frequent stuttering and frame drops, especially on Steam Deck.
✅ Addictive Loop: The dungeon-crawling into shopkeeping rhythm is as strong as ever.	❌ Incomplete Story: As an EA title, the true ending is locked behind future updates.
✅ Shop Depth: Haggling, decorating, and inventory management are more engaging.	❌ Combat Feel: 3D movement can feel slightly floaty or imprecise compared to the 2D original.
✅ Roadmap: Clear developer communication and exciting upcoming content (Pets!).	❌ Grind: Some players may find the mid-game economy balancing a bit tedious.