Released on September 1, 2026, Crimson Moon puts players in the role of a Nephilim, a human-angel hybrid fighting to save the fallen city of Gildenarch from demons, undead creatures, vampires, and other supernatural enemies. The game combines fast-paced action combat with character progression, replayable missions, and optional online co-op.

But is Crimson Moon actually worth buying?

Let's take a closer look.

What Is Crimson Moon?

Crimson Moon is a dark fantasy action RPG developed and published by ProbablyMonsters.

The game takes place in Gildenarch, a once-holy city that has fallen under the control of demons and other supernatural creatures. Players take on the role of a Nephilim and fight through dangerous areas while developing their character, collecting equipment, and facing powerful bosses.

The game can be played either solo or with a friend through 2-player online co-op, giving players the option to experience the campaign alone or team up for the hunt.

At its core, Crimson Moon focuses on:

• Fast-paced melee combat
• Character progression
• Weapons and equipment
• Supernatural abilities
• Replayable missions
• Challenging boss encounters
• Single-player and online co-op

That combination makes it particularly interesting for players who enjoy action RPGs with a darker atmosphere.

A Dark Fantasy World Filled With Monsters

One of Crimson Moon's biggest selling points is its setting.

Gildenarch is no longer the holy city it once was. The city has been overrun by demons, undead, vampires, and Hellgrowth creatures, leaving the Order of the Crimson Moon as humanity's last line of defense.

The gothic setting gives the game a distinctive visual identity.

Instead of relying entirely on traditional medieval fantasy, Crimson Moon mixes religious imagery, gothic environments, supernatural enemies, and violent combat to create a world that feels darker and more dangerous.

For players who enjoy games with a strong dark-fantasy atmosphere, this is one of the game's biggest attractions.

Fast and Brutal Melee Combat

Combat is at the heart of Crimson Moon.

Players control a Nephilim equipped with weapons and supernatural abilities, allowing them to fight through groups of enemies and take on powerful bosses.

The game also features angelic transformations and supernatural powers, giving players additional options beyond conventional weapon attacks.

This makes combat more than simply attacking enemies until their health bars disappear.

Players need to learn enemy patterns, manage their positioning, and understand when to attack or defend.

If you enjoy action RPGs where combat is an important part of the experience, Crimson Moon has plenty to offer.

A Gameplay Loop Built Around Replayability

One of the more interesting aspects of Crimson Moon is its mission structure.

Rather than simply moving through a completely linear campaign, players venture into different areas of Gildenarch and complete replayable missions.

Each mission can include:

• Regular enemies
• Elite encounters
• Mini-bosses
• Secrets
• Loot
• Mission modifiers
• Major boss encounters

Successful runs also contribute to long-term progression.

Equipment discovered during hunts can be purified and permanently added to your collection, allowing future runs to benefit from gear and upgrades you've already unlocked.

This creates an appealing gameplay loop:

Start a Hunt → Explore → Fight → Collect Gear → Improve Your Build → Fight Stronger Enemies → Repeat

For players who enjoy replayable action games, this structure can provide more reasons to return after completing individual missions.

Build Your Own Playstyle

Crimson Moon also gives players room to experiment with different builds.

As you progress, you can collect different weapons, armor, abilities, and other equipment. The game's progression systems are designed to encourage experimentation rather than forcing every player into exactly the same playstyle.

This is particularly useful for players who enjoy games where they can constantly ask:

"What happens if I change my build?"

Different equipment combinations can change how your character approaches combat, giving you another reason to replay missions and experiment with different setups.

Can You Play Crimson Moon With Friends?

Yes.

Crimson Moon supports 2-player online co-op, meaning you can play with a friend instead of tackling the game's enemies alone.

This is an important part of the game's appeal.

A difficult boss can be a completely different experience when you're coordinating attacks with another player, and replayable missions can become more enjoyable when you're working together.

If you're looking for a new game to play with a friend, Crimson Moon is therefore worth considering.

Is Crimson Moon Difficult?

Crimson Moon is designed around challenging action combat.

The game features brutal enemies, powerful bosses, and missions where players need to pay attention to combat mechanics rather than simply rushing forward.

It also includes dynamic difficulty scaling, allowing missions to match the player's skill level while offering greater rewards at higher difficulties.

That makes the game more appealing to players who enjoy a challenge.

However, players who prefer relaxed combat or very casual progression may find some encounters demanding.

Why Is Crimson Moon Getting Mixed Reviews?

This is probably the most important question for potential buyers.

Crimson Moon has attracted attention not only because of its gameplay, but also because of criticism surrounding the PC version at launch.

Some of the highest-rated negative Steam reviews focus on missing PC customization options, particularly key rebinding, mouse sensitivity, FOV settings, and ultrawide support. Players have also reported camera-related frustrations during combat.

The developer has acknowledged the PC keybinding issue and said that the team was working on an initial implementation shortly after launch.

There are also several launch-day stability and multiplayer issues listed by the developer, including crashes and some co-op connection problems.

So if you're a keyboard-and-mouse PC player, it may be worth checking the latest updates before purchasing.

For controller players, many of the most frequently discussed control complaints are less relevant.

Is Crimson Moon Worth Buying?

At $19.99 for the standard edition, Crimson Moon is positioned as a relatively affordable action RPG compared with many full-price releases.

So, should you buy it?

Crimson Moon may be a good choice if you:

• Enjoy dark fantasy games
• Like action RPG combat
• Enjoy challenging bosses
• Prefer melee-focused gameplay
• Like experimenting with different builds
• Want a game you can replay
• Enjoy playing co-op with a friend
• Like gothic and supernatural settings

You may want to wait if you:

• Mainly play with keyboard and mouse
• Need extensive control customization
• Have an ultrawide monitor
• Prefer completely polished launch-day experiences
• Don't enjoy challenging action combat

The biggest thing to remember is that the criticism surrounding Crimson Moon doesn't necessarily mean the underlying game isn't interesting.

A significant portion of the launch discussion has focused on PC controls, camera behavior, and technical issues rather than the game's overall concept. At the same time, the game has received positive attention for its combat, visual style, progression systems, and co-op potential.

Crimson Moon Price and Editions

The standard edition of Crimson Moon launched at:

$19.99 USD

There is also a Deluxe Edition priced at approximately $29.99 USD, which includes the base game plus additional content such as the Ceremonial Armor Set, Axe of the Gods, and a post-launch expansion.

For players who are mainly interested in experiencing the core game, the Standard Edition is the straightforward option.

If you want the additional content, the Deluxe Edition may be worth considering.

Final Verdict

Crimson Moon is an interesting choice for players looking for a dark fantasy action RPG with challenging melee combat, replayable missions, character progression, and co-op gameplay.

Its biggest weakness at launch isn't necessarily the core concept, but rather the state of some PC features and technical elements.

For controller players and fans of dark fantasy action RPGs, there is plenty here to explore.

For keyboard-and-mouse players, however, checking the latest PC updates before purchasing is a sensible idea.

If you've been looking for a new game to play solo or with a friend, Crimson Moon is certainly worth adding to your Steam wishlist — and potentially your library.

Ready to Play Crimson Moon?

If Crimson Moon sounds like your kind of game, you can check its latest availability and get your copy through HCTOPUP.

Crimson Moon is available on Steam, with the Standard Edition starting at $19.99 USD.

Start your hunt through Gildenarch and discover what awaits beneath the Crimson Moon.