Moonlighter 2 is finally here! Well, at least partially. As we note in our Moonlighter 2 review, this initial release is in early access. While it's loaded with plenty to do as you roguelike your way to shopkeeping success, there's plenty of updates to come before the dungeon-delving adventure is considered finished. If only there was some way to discover some games like Moonlighter 2 you could be playing right now…
Oh, wait, there is! Though Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault combines a range of mechanics in unique ways – clearing dungeons via roguelike progression, organizing oodles of loot, and selling items to villagers – plenty of other great games have impressed us with a similar mix. There are loads of features in Moonlighter 2 that have hooked us already, but whether for you that's the roguelike action, or the shopkeeping, we have some recommendations you won't want to miss. Stick here, and discover some superb games like Moonlighter 2.
5. Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale
Developer: EasyGameStation
Platform(s): PC
On the Radar with Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault: Delving beyond the early access launch of this roguelike RPG with exclusive developer access.
Capitalism, ho! I was originally obsessed with this action RPG about stocking your own shop back when Steam didn't have a lot of anime styled games at all. With its loop that merges stocking your shop back home with customized prices and journeying through dungeons to nab loot – all while trying to pay off a loan – I couldn't help but think of Recettear even when the first Moonlighter came out. Playing its loop straight, the dungeoneering is way more grindy (though you can recruit different adventurers), and there's certainly no roguelike structure here, but that simplicity can be a plus depending on what you're in the mood for. You can also just straight up buy and sell items as well, meaning Recettear can also lean more heavily into the shop-only experience.
4. Bastion
Developer: Supergiant Games
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch
Moonlighter 2's stylistic shift away from the top-down pixel art of the first game means it's hard to not see a resemblance in the white haired will and the hero of Bastion, Hades-developer Supergiant Games' debut landmark adventure. If smashing through levels in Moonlighter 2 is your favorite thing to do, then that's what Bastion is all about as you fight through a series of hand-designed levels (this isn't a roguelike). Like Moonlighter 2, there's even a range of radically different weapons to try your hand at. With a gorgeous painterly style, and excellent narration that feels reactive to your journey, Bastion is still a stone cold classic.
3. Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian
Developer: Gust, Team Ninja
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Most Atelier games fit the bill, but Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian brought this long-running JRPG series' shopkeeping elements back to the fore once again. These charming and cozy adventures are about friendship and improving your witchy craft of alchemy. Setting out with your party to gather ingredients from plants to monster parts, you bring them back to your atelier to boil them down into recipes – the stronger you get, the more item recipes you uncover, and the higher quality you can create. The latest Atelier Resleriana has you helping to improve town recovery efforts by putting some of those items up for sale, with your squad of fairy pals helping you out as shop assistants.
2. Hades 2
Developer: Supergiant Games
Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Hades 2 is one of the best roguelike games ever made, so if Moonlighter 2 leaning even further than the original into this genre appeals then maybe you'd like one dedicated to roguing like little else. You don't need to really sell anything here, but you do dive deeper into new mythological environments while hoovering up 'pick three' style upgrades to build synergies with each run. Just as Moonlighter 2 has a story justification for you to be coming and going each run, so too does Hades 2, which has Melinoe recovering in witchy woods between attempts to save her underworld home from the rule of the villainous Chronos. This is Supergiant Games operating at its very best, with a very refined replay loop and incredibly twitchy and satisfying combat that combines melee strikes with magical combos.
1. Stardew Valley
Developer: ConcernedApe
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
Stardew Valley isn't just one of the best farming games, leaning into a cozy atmosphere as you grow closer to your neighbors and improve your farm. Something lurks below. Yes, dive into the mines, and you'll discover a huge combat-heavy labyrinth to explore – even though it's totally optional for most objectives. Still, filled with rare resources, it's a great way to get your mitts on much-needed items without forking out huge sums of cash to buy them. In fact, you can turn that dynamic on its head by loading up on loot to sell yourself. Like the farming itself, the mines can be a crucial component in bringing in the dough, and making a name for yourself in the valley.
