Image credit: 11 bit studios

The concept behind Moonlighter, i.e. you are a shopkeeper except to get your wares you need to venture forth into dangerous dungeons and make it out alive, is always one that appealed to me, but has just managed to slip me by all these years. My problem now is that I have two new reasons not to ignore both it and its sequel The Endless Vault, as the follow-up now has a 1.0 release date, and the original is free for the next few days.

First, Moonlighter 2! After launching into early access at the end of last year, the sequel will be launching in just under a month's time on September 2nd. With the 1.0 comes a bevy of new bits, namely a suite of Endless tools like a short sword that gets stronger as you build momentum and some gauntlets that make your attacks more powerful. Your shop can go up to level five now, adding on another Bloblet slot to bring another companion with you on your adventures. Plus, if you don't want to wait for the full release, but don't wait to pay for early access, there's a demo for you to have a go out now too!

Watch on YouTube

Notably, this update will also introduce the seventh and final titular Endless Vault for you to take on, which wraps up the ending of the story. Those of you with a hankering for a challenge may be interested in the new hardcore difficulty mode, which makes it so you lose any relics you've picked up a la the original Moonlighter.

Speaking of! The first, more pixelated, still deliciously Zelda-esque Moonlighter is available to add to your Steam library completely for free until August 9th, which by my count is as cheap as chips. If not cheaper! There really does appear to be a lot to love about the original roguelite too, and will obviously be a fuller experience than its sequel's demo.

You can wishlist and try out the demo for Moonlighter 2 right here.