On the Radar with Moonlighter 2 – delving beyond the early access launch of this roguelike RPG with exclusive developer access

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On the Radar | Chatting with developer Digital Sun about targeting early access for Moonlighter 2, and the impact of this shopkeeper roguelike on the genre

Will from Moonlighter 2 runs towards us, against a GamesRadar+ On The Radar background
(Image credit: 11 bit studios)
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Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault is here, but it's only the start. Launching in early access means this roguelike RPG is still growing as developer Digital Sun engages with the community on improving the game. Hero Will's quest isn't only to snag loot from dungeons accessed portals, but to make enough money selling them in order to unlock the titular Endless Vault.

It's a unique mix of genres, juggling run-based combat synergies with tweaking the prices of your own stock. As well as our own early access review, we've also spoken with Digital Sun about putting together this sequel and what it's like to approach an early access launch. We've also dug into the systems that have impressed us the most, what could still use tightening, and the impact of shop-based adventures like Moonlighter and Moonlighter 2 on the indie sphere.

Moonlighter 2: On the Radar

01 | Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault review

Will enters the portal to a new realm in Moonlighter 2, with the GamesRadar+ On the Radar frame

(Image credit: 11 bit studios)
Review

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault review: "Dungeon delving, balancing sacks of loot, then hawking your wares is still a compelling loop – but the exchange rate between those pillars is wobbly in early access": So far, the early access launch has been strong, but there's plenty of room to grow as more updates are added alongside community feedback.

The interview

02 | Bringing it all together

Fighting through Zephyr in Moonlighter 2

(Image credit: 11 bit studios)
Dev access

After 2 roguelikes, an acclaimed strategy game, and a League of Legends spin-off all in just 7 years, the Moonlighter 2 devs explain how new ideas are key to their survival: It's been several years since the original Moonlighter, but Digital Sun has been busy on other projects in between. The developer tells us how working on other games has informed this sequel and made it better than ever.

03 | It takes a village

Moonlighter 2

(Image credit: Digital Sun)
Interview

"We know that the players are the ones actually enjoying the game": Moonlighter 2 owes its existence to its devs' astonishingly in-depth approach to player feedback: Digital Sun tells us how they're aiming to build this roguelike through community feedback. That includes discussing how a demo release earlier in the year has already informed the current release of the game.

Impact

04 | Old Will, new tricks

Will attacks a group of insectoid enemies while applying the wound status, with the GamesRadar+ On The Radar frame

(Image credit: 11 bit studios)
Feature rich

After five hours, Moonlighter 2 already has me hooked thanks to these five features: This sequel carries forward a lot of what we loved about the original, but there's loads of changes we've been digging as well. From a fresh art style that looks gorgeous, to obsessing over how we manage our backpack, there's a lot to love already.

05 | Show me the money

Will sells many items at once in Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault, with a GamesRadar+ On the Radar frame

(Image credit: 11 bit studios)
Shopping spree

Moonlighter 2’s shop system solves the age-old RPG issue of your bag being filled with useless tat: We take a look at why managing shops in games can be so compelling. Beyond Moonlighter, we consider full-on management like Supermarket Simulator, to shops as backdrops to narrative hooks such as in Strange Antiquities.

Check out our best roguelike games list for more you shouldn't miss!

Oscar Taylor-Kent
Oscar Taylor-Kent
Games Editor

Games Editor Oscar Taylor-Kent brings his years of Official PlayStation Magazine and PLAY knowledge to the fore. A noted PS Vita apologist, he's also written for Edge, PC Gamer, SFX, Official Xbox Magazine, Kotaku, Waypoint, and more. When not dishing out deadly combos in Ninja Gaiden 4, he's a fan of platformers, RPGs, mysteries, and narrative games. A lover of retro games as well, he's always up for a quick evening speed through Sonic 3 & Knuckles or yet another Jakathon through Naughty Dog's PS2 masterpieces.

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