You may recall that I was initially looking forward to Moonlight Peaks all the way back in 2023 when I had first caught wind of it. Back then, the game had a somewhat different look and premise, which was exactly why I was so interested in it. A farming sim where you play as a vampire, co-existing with humans? Now that I can get behind.
However, as time went on and the release date approached, it shifted direction somewhat and took on a new shape. But change can often be a good thing as concepts solidify and ideas get built upon. Moonlight Peaks offers a solid farming sim experience, but one unlike any that has been seen before, due in large part to its unique aesthetic.
Moonlight Peaks uses the same story structure as most farming sims, but with a somewhat unique twist. You are the child of Dracula, desperate to break free of your lineage’s old ways and yearning to strike out on your own. You return to your family’s farm in the quaint town of Moonlight Peaks, a village where vampires, werewolves and witches all live together in relative harmony.
“Moonlight Peaks perfectly captures the essentials of the farming sim while adding quite a few of its own unique elements to the mix.”
The player must work to help the townspeople put to rest centuries-old grievances and rebuild the Dracula name for a modern, more forward-thinking generation. In what will be something of a consistent theme with Moonlight Peaks, its narrative structure is fairly familiar to the genre while adding a fun, playfully spooky theme to the whole thing.
In fact, the game is surprisingly narrative-heavy, with players almost always being given a “main quest” that is backed by a lot of dialogue and fun in-game cutscenes. Even moments that are meant to teach the player how to play are backed by extended quests with cute and humorous cutscenes that give players a good sense of these characters and the town they inhabit.
In terms of its gameplay, Moonlight Peaks perfectly captures the essentials of the farming sim while adding quite a few of its own unique elements to the mix. Players are given an ample plot of land to grow crops, raise animals and decorate to their heart’s content. Alongside this, the game has a pretty generous in-game clock, allowing players 15 minutes for each night, so they never feel like they have to rush to get everything done.
But if players happen to want more time, Moonlight Peaks gives them the option to crank that up to 25, so players have a lot of freedom to complete their daily chores and mingle with the townspeople. On top of this, the game adds interesting mechanics to the mix, like spice gardens, some of which require a drying rack and magical mortar to be processed.
Speaking of which, or should I say, speaking of witch, players are also given access to a variety of magic spells that can help them in their day-to-day routines. These range from magical tools that can automatically water crops, chop trees or break rocks to customization spells that allow you to move buildings or trees around your farm.
Not only that, certain magical crops require the watering spell in order to grow, so players need to be thoughtful with their casting since, like stamina, magical energy is limited and requires a full night’s rest to restore one point, though consumables can help restore it further. I really like how Moonlight Peaks approaches things that could just be automated through tools or crafting with a system that suits its vibe and aesthetic style.
“Moonlight Peaks might not set the world on fire, but it is a solid little farming sim that nails the fundamentals and stands out for its really fun aesthetic.”
Speaking of style, if there’s one thing that makes Moonlight Peaks stand out, it is the visuals. It is essentially Story of Seasons: Halloween Edition, where the game maintains a cute, lighthearted tone, particularly with its chibi characters and goofy writing, while using the aesthetic of horror to give it an edge. Characters also have fun designs and are mostly named after horror icons, such as Orlok, Elvira, Sabrina and more, although it was crazy to me that not one werewolf was named Jacob.
The first thing that really engaged me was how unique it is to play a farming sim that takes place solely at night, giving the game a gloomy atmosphere without needing to give it an unnecessary edge. Combine that with a cooler colour palette that makes liberal use of greens and purples, an abundance of spooky imagery like mausoleums, jack-o’-lanterns and wispy lights, and you’ve got all the fun of a haunted house without the terror.
However, it is not a completely flawless experience. While its slow pace gives players a lot of freedom to complete tasks, it also runs the risk of making the game a bit dull, especially for seasoned farmers. Also, despite playing on the Nintendo Switch 2, load times can be a bit excruciating, particularly when booting the game up, but noticeably when transitioning between days. More than once, I also noticed weird character animation glitches.
Like I said to CGM’s Dayna Eileen, Moonlight Peaks might not set the world on fire, but it is a solid little farming sim that nails the fundamentals and stands out for its really fun aesthetic. If you’re looking for a fun farming sim that is perfect to pop in every October, then this is the game for you!
