Moonlight Peaks Preview
Moonlight Peaks is a cute, cozy life sim starring a colorful cast of monsters. If you’re looking for a farming game where the animals and the townsfolk are a little spooky, check it out.
The game opens with the vampire protagonist running away from home. After a fight with your father and a quick conversation with your mother, you settle into town.
You start with your coffin, your Hellkitten, and a dream. With a bit of hard work, they can become a thriving farmer and a pillar of the community. Of course, that will require getting to know the community first.
In a lot of ways, it’s basically a cross between Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. The 3D graphics are especially nostalgic for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. And the slightly spooky ambiance gives it a distinct mood of its own.
Goth Stardew Valley
Moonlight Peaks has a pretty basic premise: you start out with an overgrown plot of land and gradually clear it. Making money, completing quests, and performing jobs gives access to new resources. New resources let you upgrade your gear, craft new items, and give gifts to townsfolk.
Speaking of which, this preview didn’t last long enough to start a romance, but it did give me a nice look at the available characters. There’s a wide array of fun personalities on offer. I got especially attached to the witches. All of them have very big personalities.
There’s always something going on in town. I like how complicated the relationships between the characters are. Everyone has something to say when a conflict boils over.
Even outside of the town itself, the game feels appealing, busy, and full of possibility. There are lots of hobbies to explore, animals to care for, and plants to grow. Upgrading the farm only adds more options to the table.
Moonlight Peaks is Charmingly Spooky
Moonlight Peaks has a lot going for it. Character creation is pretty in-depth, offering plenty of hairstyles, a wide variety of outfits and accessories, and some nice color combinations. And if you’re indecisive, you can hit the randomize button and see what it gives you.
As I said above, this is a life sim. You run around at night, plant crops, harvest, explore, and talk to people in Moonlight Peaks. When the sun rises, it’s time to sleep. The cycle repeats the next night.
You start out with a variety of basic tools. You accomplish more complex tasks and clear heavier obstructions by crafting upgraded versions. The game even managed to do the impossible and create a fishing minigame that’s actually fun.
There’s plenty of stuff to collect from the forests and beaches. I also discovered some collectible Vampsters, which make fun squeaky noises when picked up. And as the game progresses, new characters will introduce you to their hobbies. This naturally expands the activities you have available.
Mostly Good Looking
Moonlight Peaks has a very cozy vibe to it, and the cute monster aesthetic does give it some unique flavor. However, previewing this game felt a lot like playing Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley.
The art design is generally quite nice. There’s a real charm to the soft, rounded character designs and the purple-washed environments.
The 3D graphics are adorable and perfect for making the townsfolk seem appealing. Unfortunately, the more detailed facial portraits are a lot less cute than the 3D models. They clashed quite a bit with the adorable atmosphere.
I like how the environment design is rendered. The use of purples and pinks makes for an otherworldly but cozy atmosphere. And the nighttime soundscape is quite pleasant to listen to.
All in all, Moonlight Peaks is shaping up to be a fun little outing to a spooky little slice of heaven. Fans of farming games and life sims will find a lot to enjoy here. However, if you’re not already a fan of those genres, this title probably won’t convince you otherwise.
***Steam code provided by the publisher***
