The shopkeeping roguelite Moonlighter is currently available for free on Steam. This promotion runs until August 9, offering players a chance to add the game to their library at no cost.
This giveaway coincides with the upcoming full release of Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault. The sequel is currently in early access, with its 1.0 version scheduled for launch on September 2.
Moonlighter blends management simulation with roguelite dungeon crawling, a genre reminiscent of Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale. Players manage an item shop in a small hamlet, stocking shelves with loot gathered from dungeon expeditions, while also engaging in combat and boss battles within those dungeons.
The sequel, Moonlighter 2, is set to introduce several new features and refinements. It incorporates isometric combat, a departure from the first game's perspective, and a greater emphasis on character interaction within its hub area. The town of Tresna is described as a place where players can familiarize themselves with residents, drawing comparisons to hub areas in games like Hades. The dungeon exploration in the sequel also shifts from a Binding of Isaac-style approach to a node-choosing system influenced by games such as FTL and Slay the Spire. Elements of Stardew Valley are also noted in the sequel's town-based social mechanics.