Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault – Everything We Know

Before diving into The Endless Vault, you might want to consider checking out its prequel first if you haven’t already. Get a chance to explore the entire story from the beginning to get a gist of what to expect and how to navigate the sequel. Like its predecessor, Moonlighter 2 features aspects of a dungeon crawler infused with shopkeeping in the gameplay. It refines and expands on the already laid-out concept of its prequel and promises a more exciting yet dangerous adventure. With that, let’s dive into everything there is to know about Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault so far.

What is Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault?

The Endless Vault is a sequel to the roguelike game, the Moonlighter. Players strap on their backpacks again, fill them with rare relics from multiple dimensions, and then sell these priceless items at their established shop. You take control of Will, a former ambitious merchant, now an adventurer and this narrative’s protagonist. Will embarks on a journey leading him to mysterious vaults where he discovers hidden riches. However, you must stay on guard as danger lurks at every crease and crevice. 

Will is not only a skilled merchant but also a formidable fighter. Players will move around fully armed with different arsenals of melee and ranged weapons as they collect their loot. He then takes it back to his shop, where he uses charm, strategy, and impeccable bargaining skills to sell his loot and earn profit. 

Story

The narrative features a world where merchants move across different realms, selling rare relics for profit. Will, a shopkeeper and this title’s protagonist sold relics and treasures gathered from these realms. However, following the events of the first game, the shopkeeper loses his home dimension and ends up as a castaway in the land of Tresna. Trapped here with his companions, he strives to restore his previous life and shop to their former glory. In addition to his companions, he forges new relationships with new allies. One particular relationship might allow Will to rise to his former self. 

A powerful businessman and a passionate relic collector unexpectedly approach him. The businessman offers him a tempting offer that Will can’t refuse. If Will can retrieve relics from three mystical realms, the businessman will help him and his allies return to their home dimension. Like its predecessor, the game follows a combination of dungeon-crawling exploration, action RPG combat, and shopkeeping. 

Gameplay

Players immerse themselves in the complex life of Will, a merchant, and follow him through a commercial adventure as he attempts to restore his life. In this sequel, you explore the depths of your heroic nature. You navigate across vibrant realms in search of rare, mysterious relics. 

You’ll encounter many enemies, traps, and challenges attempting to slow down your progress on your journey. However, players arm themselves with weapons and use their versatile backpacks to navigate the gameplay smoothly. You are required to strategically arrange your relics within the backpack so that you can unlock their full potential. Furthermore, it helps you maximize your gains after each run.

On to your merchant skills, players dive into unpredictable territories, exploring vaults filled with treasure. You should note, however, that the more value the loot has, the harder it’ll be to get it. Afterward, players sell their collected loot at the shop, which is also their home, to earn a profit. You haggle with and assist customers with whatever they need to maintain your store’s credibility. 

Additionally, you must unlock temporary perks, add decorative touches, and clean up unexpected messes to keep the shop in top shape. Investing the money you earn helps you heighten your shop’s charm. Moreover, it upgrades your gear, which helps make transactions easier. You can venture further by investing in local businesses, which helps improve Tresna’s development. The growth of the village positively impacts the success of your shop. 

Development

11 Bit Studios and Digital Sun, the Spanish team behind the original game, are the genius minds behind this amazing sequel. They are also famous for other legendary projects like Cataclismo. Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault is set to showcase everything that could be improved in the first game. It will feature a more exciting game with charm infused in every detail. Christopher Larkin, the composer behind the acclaimed Hollow Knight soundtrack, will compose the title’s soundtrack. We get a sneak peek of what to expect in audio from the modern-sounding tracks featured in the announcement trailer. The sequel expands on the idea of its prequel and integrates elements that will entertain new and seasoned players for hours. 

Trailer

Players travel across interconnected worlds where they battle interdimensional foes. They are equipped with an array of different weapons that they use to fend off enemies. In the trailer, we see many merchants and characters, both new and returning. For instance, Eris and Vulcan are returning characters featured in the sequel. Players manage inventory and go around the shop haggling for the best deals. Also, you reinvest your profits to acquire the more powerful gear you use on your journey. 

You can fully tailor your playstyle as you progress by unlocking various upgrades during each run. These upgrades allow for greater flexibility and creativity, letting you experiment with different strategies to suit your preferences. Beyond just the loot, the game embodies classic roguelike elements through its use of procedural generation, increasing difficulty, resource management, and the tension of permadeath.

What makes it even more engaging is how these per-run upgrades are integrated into the experience. They don’t just enhance your abilities but also add layers of depth to your decision-making, forcing you to weigh short-term advantages against long-term survival. With each run offering unique challenges and rewards, these upgrades ensure no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the gameplay fresh and dynamic. Whether you prioritize offensive power, defensive tactics, or utility enhancements, the choice is yours, making every run a chance to redefine your approach.

Release Date and Platforms

In collaboration with developer Digital Sun, the publishers, 11 Bit Studios, recently announced their new roguelike action RPG sequel, Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault. Gamers can play it via Steam on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. The game is set to launch in 2025. However, they have yet to announce an exact release date.

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