Moonlighter Review Complete Guide: the Game’s Features, Strong Points, and Issues

Moonlighter Review – More indie studios are releasing their products in the gaming market today. Different from more established developers, the general public might not know about the releases due to limited marketing ploy. It is such a shame because indie games like Moonlighter offer novelty in gaming within its genre.

The initial release of this game happened on May 29, 2018. Digital Sun, the game’s developer, had worked on this game for a few years back. It was a worldwide launch in which 11-bit studios became the game’s publisher. Its growth was slow yet pretty steady.

The game mixes two kinds of genre, namely business simulation and role-playing with action. When playing, gamers must perform two different tasks. In the daytime, the task is to manage an in-game shop. Meanwhile, in the nighttime, the player will go on an exciting quest to defeat their enemies.

Current players generally favor this game for so many reasons. People applaud its adventurous storytelling because it makes the game playing experience very fun. Moreover, it combines action with the lifestyle genre. This surely makes it more immersive to everyone who is playing the game.

The pleasant reception causes its developer to continuously try to expand Moonlighter further. This continuous expansion adds to the value of this game. It is no wonder that more players are starting to check the indie game. There are so many things to unpack about this game the one of Best PS4 Games Like Animal Crossing.

Moonlighter Review – Major Features of the RP Game

Although many players want to play this game, they still do not know much about it. An indie game like this tends to have a small-scale launch so people must look for its information by themselves. Here are some major features of this action slash RP game:

1. Platform Availability

The 2018 release accommodated platforms like PS4, MS Windows, Linux, and Mac’s operating system. It gradually expands to other platforms, such as Switch in 2018 and iOS in the last quarter of 2020. These varied options enable more players to enjoy playing Moonlighter.

Players can buy the license for this game in numerous gaming marketplaces, such as Steam. The hard disk version is also available for console players. After the player has properly installed Moonlighter into a device, the basic offline version is ready to run.

For a worldwide audience, this game is also quite inclusive. It supports 12 languages including English, Spanish, and Mandarin. There will be subtitles throughout the entire course of this game. People with hearing disabilities can follow this game well.

2. Basic and Recommended PC Specifications

Computer-based players should check the compatibility between this game and their PCs. A computer system must have at least 4GB RAM size and 2GB of available storage. The game only runs if a player uses a computer with Windows 7 operating system or its later version.

It will be better if the computer system can provide an 8GB RAM size, though. Even if a computer only requires the equivalent of GTX260 for the video card, players can go higher than that. If the player can manage GTX660 or its video card equivalent, they will have a better experience.

Making sure that the PC fulfills, or even goes over, the standard requirements are necessary. A game will not run smoothly if the gadget cannot accommodate it appropriately. Players may fail to install the entirety of this game without the support of a capable computer too.

Also read: Forager Review

3. The Game’s Narrative

Moonlighter has a solid narrative, although perhaps is not as significant as other RP games in the market. The story sets in a fictional town, Rynnoka. Its main character’s name is Will who works as a shopkeeper in the town but aims to be a hero.

The character has one basic task to fulfill, which is making a living in the town. During the day, Will has to take care of his shop by selling items to the town’s people. At night, Will sets out to explore dungeons and defeats enemies.

There are several dungeons that players can explore in the game namely Desert, Golem, Tech, Forest, and Wanderer. Will can equip himself with armors, weapons, and helpful potions to win the fight against bosses. This game can take a very long time to complete.

Strong Points about the Single-Player Game

According to people who enjoy playing Moonlighter, some highlights make this game worthy of attention. This list includes several strong points that players will immediately notice while playing the game:

1. Quality of the Graphics

Although this game has two-dimensional graphics, it is difficult to find negative reviews on the graphic quality. In fact, avid players have said that this game perhaps has one of the best graphics on ps4 in the 2D category. The game offers a good color palette in its graphic.

Certain players may prefer the 2D graphic gaming experience to the 3D one. Games with 2D graphics are less complex for the player’s vision. A player will be able to concentrate better than if they are playing a game with a 3D graphic. It is also less burdensome to the player’s gaming system.

2. Immersive Game Playing Experience

Because this game applies the role-playing genre, people can really play Moonlighter without stopping. A player will operate the main character in this game. The gaming experience feels very immersive according to current players. There is sufficient alternation between leisure and excitement while playing this game.

The leisure mode comes during the day in this game’s realm when the character needs to take care of his shop. During the night in its realm, the game turns more active. Players must complete quests and defeat enemies. The game becomes more realistic due to different moods.

3. Regular Development

Players are more likely to choose a game that offers regular updates. Understandably, steady development attracts more users. When a game continuously develops, it enhances its entertainment values as well as eliminating the glitches in previous versions.

Digital Sun, as the game’s developer, has a purpose to advance this game further. Players get to see new shop items, weapons, and visual look of the game from time to time. The challenges are also fresh because Digital Sun adds new levels, game modes, and enemies.

The best thing about game development is that players can use new items without an additional fee. As long as players have purchased the license for Moonlighter, the new features are available for free. There will likely be new things in the future too.

4. Interesting Game Features

This game offers interesting features that attract players to play it continuously. Most players gush about its shop inventory system. The system allows a player to organize their items and makes a profit from their shop. Also, there are new items that players can access on a regular basis.

Other than the inventory system in the shop, the game also provides fun collecting experiences. When the character goes into adventure during the night, he can collect loot along the way. Players also visit various locations on the game map during their adventures.

Also read: My Time at Portia Review 

Noticeable Issues in the Action RP Game

Of course, there is no such thing as a game without flaws. Moonlighter also has several limitations in its system that some players may consider taking away some of its enjoyment. The following are some minor but perhaps more palpable shortcomings of the game:

1. Offline Mode is Too Basic

Once a player has purchased the game’s license, they can play it using any compatible platform. Players can play this game in offline mode. Unfortunately, the offline mode is too basic for an avid player’s taste. It does not offer added values that the online mode provides.

There are reports that players cannot save their accomplishments if the game is in offline mode. The new updates are not available if players run it without the internet. Thus, it is almost imperative to only run this game if players have a steady internet connection.

2. Surface Accomplishment

Another downside of this game is its surface sense of accomplishment. Once a player has completed all levels within Moonlighter, the game basically ends. Restarting the game will only give players similar challenges as when they played it the first time.

Players with high achievement orientation may not feel satisfied while playing the game. The challenges within the game’s realm do not expand beyond its fundamental premise. After a while, a player who often plays tactical and complicated games might feel that it is too repetitive.

3. Glaring Frame Drops

Frame drop is an issue that often appears in video games across platforms. When it happens, the game’s resolution becomes low which makes the graphic more pixelated. In addition, a game that experiences frame drop also sees lags in its subsequent scenes.

The frame drop issue within this game is unfortunately too glaring to ignore. It may happen so suddenly that a player can fail to perform certain tasks optimally. Current players are demanding patches or optimization to take care of this particular issue.

Ending Note

The general consensus shows a relatively positive opinion about the game. It offers a new genre hybrid that people might have not expected before. It also has attractive features that make gaming more immersive. The compatibility with various gaming platforms also increases its accessibility to the general public.

Nonetheless, players also need to be aware of the shortcomings of Moonlighter. Certain past players had found the game to be too boring after a while. There are also issues with the offline mode and frame. Knowing its downfalls will help players manage the game playing better.