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Moonlighter Review: A Pixelated Adventure-Merchant Game with Room for Improvement

2K View2023-09-21

"Moonlighter" is a pixel-based adventure-merchant game where we delve into dungeons, defeat enemies, collect their loot, and eventually return to town to sell our spoils and enhance our gear. The game features five dungeons comprising three floors and a formidable boss. We can return to town through various means, such as defeating the boss, paying a fee for a one-way trip back, or opening a portal that allows us to return to the same floor, fully rejuvenated and restocked. In this game, we have a choice of five weapon types: sword and shield, big sword, spear, gloves, and bows. Each weapon type offers two upgrade paths, one focused on raw damage and the other on elemental damage. Spears are the best option due to their remarkable range, swift attack speed, and substantial damage output. However, big swords are cumbersome, while the other melee weapons need more range. While having its uses, the bow may need to provide more benefits to justify its inclusion. Players can freely switch between two weapons within a dungeon, but upgrading armor merely enhances its stats.

The combat experience in "Moonlighter" tends to be slow and less engaging, with each weapon offering a standard attack and a special move. The standard attack can sometimes be strung together into combos, but even this can feel finicky. Although the bosses are well-crafted with intriguing movement patterns, the second dungeon poses the greatest challenge due to enemy behavior, while the fourth dungeon is comparatively easier. The fourth and penultimate dungeons feature enemies that often remain stationary for extended periods, allowing the hero to attack them until defeated relentlessly. Beyond combat, players must effectively manage their limited inventory slots to accommodate the loot collected from fallen foes. It isn't a straightforward space management game where items are fitted into available slots. Instead, each item occupies a single slot and can be stacked, but some items are cursed and come with specific requirements within the inventory. Cursed items can only stack with identical cursed items, adding a layer of complexity to inventory management.

Returning to town enables players to sell their acquired goods in their shop, the eponymous "Moonlighter." Initially, there are limitations on where items can be placed, but additional space becomes available as the store is upgraded. It's up to the player to set prices, restock shelves, and thwart potential thieves. Customers enter the store, browse, and react to the prices. Customers may express dissatisfaction, haggle, or become excited if a price is deemed too high. Still, if a product is in high demand, players can extract more gold from customers than usual. The thrill of selling items accelerates and becomes more exciting as the store expands, yet thieves occasionally attempt to steal goods. These thieves are easily identifiable and are announced as such upon entry. Introducing an element of unpredictability to potential thieves could enhance the excitement.

"Moonlighter" is an addictive game that permits players to enhance their town by establishing additional shops, including weapon merchants and potion vendors. However, the game has certain issues, such as a day/night cycle that heightens dungeon difficulty but yields greater rewards. The game encourages players to operate the store during the day and explore dungeons at night, which can be frustrating. The inventory management aspect of the game offers both enjoyment and a challenging navigation experience. The gamepad isn't well-suited for moving items one square at a time, making the process of looting chests laborious. On a positive note, the music is outstanding, perfectly complementing the themes of the dungeons, and the art is visually stunning, thanks to the impressive animations.

The music of "Moonlighter" is nostalgic and whimsical, evoking memories of exploring towns in the SNES and Genesis eras. The art boasts strong pixel art that effectively conveys its intended visuals, with animations that bring the game world to life. In conclusion, "Moonlighter" is a captivating game that offers a unique experience through its addictive gameplay loop. However, there are areas in which the game could benefit from improvement. Players should exercise caution regarding bugs and the need for enhanced inventory management. While "Moonlighter" initially captivates players, it also conceals potential sources of frustration.