Sunrise Parabellum Moonlighter Review

I finished Moonlighter and its dlc (Between Dimensions) in about 27h30, reaching the final DLC boss + second credit screen, without unlockinh every weapon or fully max my armor. This is neither a completionist nor a hardcore game that tests your skill.. and honestly it was exactly what I needed at this moment. Moonlighter hooked me quickly with its addictive gameplay loop = dungeon crawling at night, shopkeeping by day. The inventory management during runs is clever and satisfying, especially with the curse system that forces you to think about item placement. Exploring dungeons is rewarding thanks to small secrets and environmental details, and monster designs are varied across biomes, both visually and mechanically (pattern/behavior). The shop system is pure dopamine = Selling loot > watching gold pile up > upgrading gear > beat monsters you used to find tough. I also appreciated the many quality of life features such as saving dungeon progress, the wishlist system and upgrading equipment without needing resources in your inventory. To that, add a charming pixel art and a relaxing OST and the game becomes very cozy and accessible. The Between Dimensions DLC is suprisingly excellent. I was about to close the game after the first credits and didn't know there was more. The dlc adds a lot of content (new dungeons, monsters, weapons, armor, and upgrades) while blending naturally into the base game and increasing complexity without breaking the flow. I didn't expect to get hooked once again. I ended up enjoying it even more than the base game. That said, I think the game is very easy, though this wasn't an issue for me. I found that bosses weren't challenging at all since I beat them all on my first try. As you upgrade your gear, you quickly become overpowered, making enemies and even bosses melt in seconds. Despite the fun, this lack of challenge means the game may lack depth for more experienced roguelite players. Also, it is such a missed opportunity to not be able to fight dungeon's main bosses again once you defeat them, which feels like a missed opportunity. While the world is charming, the story and characters on the other hand are flat and servicable. It was fine for me as I played it mainly for the mood and mechanics, not emotional investment. Controls can also feel a bit clunky at first, I played on a controller and I can't imagine myself playing it with mouse and keyboard. In the end, I think Moonlighter isn't for everyone. Roguelite veterans may find it too simple and forgiving. If you're looking for a chill/grindy/feel good experience with satisfying progression, cozy visuals and low stress, I think Moonlighter absolutely delivers. For me it was the perfect game at the perfect time. I enjoyed the power spikes, the gold rush, the smooth progression, and the comforting repetition. I don't think Moonlighter is a masterpiece but I do think it knows what it wants to be and succeeds at that: Sometimes.. that's more than enough.