It is no secret that this portion of TGON is home to articles involving farming RPGs and simulators. I always get excited to share new games with other like-minded individuals. While the next game is not centered around farming, the mechanics are similar. After scrolling around on Xbox Game Pass, I found Moonlighter, and I knew I had to share it all with you.

moonlighter
Source: Screenshot of Moonlighter

The Premise

Moonlighter is an action RPG with rogue-lite elements that follows the tale of William Moonlighter. By day, Will tends to his family’s shop. This is where he sells rare and unusual artifacts to the locals of Rynoka, a small trading village. However, at night, Will plunges deep into the dungeons. These are found behind the mysterious Gates to find those precious items he sells. It is a dangerous life, but he would not have it any other way.

moonlighter
Source: Digital Sun’s Presspack

My Experience

After I found Moonlighter on Xbox Game Pass, I quickly downloaded it to my computer, plugged in my controller, and got to work. Within the first minute of playing, I died. It turns out, rolling over crevasses in a dungeon is a lot harder than it looks! After somersaulting around on the floor for a while, I gained my bearings and tried again. Then came combat, and I suddenly realized I was fighting with a broom rather than a sword. The crowd of monsters quickly overtook me, and I was spat out of the Gates. Luckily, an elderly family friend saved my life. This is where the business side of things took over. I learned how to sell the items I found in the dungeons and modify prices. I knew rather rapidly that I made prices too low, and people were making out like bandits.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I would say my time with Moonlighter has been a blast. I have died in the dungeons quite a lot, but that is all on me. I love the freedom of setting my schedule and selling items as I see fit. There has also been the option to bring other artisans and crafters to Rynoka, which feels promising. Moonlighter is a combination of Diner Dash meets Legend of Zelda, and honestly, I am all for it. The graphics are adorable, music soothing, and grinding is fun when the dungeons are randomly generated. If you want to get in on the Moonlighter action, catch it on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and the Apple Store.