Moonlighter 2 Opens Early Access Vault With Steam Playtest This October

A New Chance to Explore the Endless Vault

11 bit studios and Digital Sun are giving players an early look at Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault ahead of its Early Access launch on November 19. The teams have announced a public Steam playtest beginning October 10, open to all players who sign up via the game’s Steam page.

The decision follows strong community feedback from the Steam Next Fest demo earlier this year, during which thousands of players shared suggestions on how to refine the shopkeeping and dungeon systems. According to Digital Sun, this upcoming playtest showcases several of the most requested improvements, from smarter inventory mechanics to a richer, more strategic economy.

Shopkeeping Gets Smarter

At the heart of Moonlighter 2 remains the same simple fantasy — being both an adventurer and a merchant. The new build introduces a revamped shop system, restoring one of the original game’s most beloved features: the ability to set your own item prices.

This mechanic, absent in earlier versions of the sequel, returns due to overwhelming fan demand. It allows players to define their own pricing strategy, striking a balance between profit margins and customer satisfaction. Shops now include recurring customers, a calendar system that influences market demand, and decorations that offer gameplay perks, turning commerce into a deeper layer of decision-making.

A Backpack Built for Discovery

The inventory system has also been reworked into what the developers call a “smarter backpack.” Instead of showing fixed prices while exploring dungeons, items now possess a quality value that determines their worth once players return to town. This change reintroduces the thrill of appraisal and risk management, encouraging players to experiment and adapt their strategies each run.

The result is a design that maintains the original’s beloved inventory puzzle but adds more mystery and reward to each expedition.

Dungeons With Greater Depth

Moonlighter 2’s dungeons have been redesigned with mapping and discovery systems that reward planning and exploration. Each venture now reveals only parts of the layout, with hidden areas, secret quests, and branching paths that demand tactical choices. Players can chart their own route through riskier zones for greater rewards or stick to safer routes for consistent progress.

Digital Sun describes this as a return to “that sense of wonder and surprise” that defined the first Moonlighter, but with added layers of depth and replayability.

How to Join the Playtest

The Steam playtest for Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault begins October 10, and is open to everyone. Interested players can register through the game’s Steam page.

For fans eager to see how the series evolves its mix of shopkeeping, exploration, and dungeon-delving, this playtest offers a first look at how much Moonlighter 2 has changed — and how much of its heart remains intact.