How Does Romance Work in Moonlight Peaks? - Dates, Marriage, Divorce, & More

Now that Moonlight Peaks is finally out, it's time to put all that pre-release shortlisting to good use. With 23 dateable characters spread across town, the real question is no longer who you can romance, but how – and thankfully, the game makes the whole journey from first gift to wedding day pleasantly straightforward. The good news is that the game doesn’t make you wait to start pursuing any of it: romance is available from night one.

Here's the full rundown: spotting who's actually available, building affection day to day, what marriage involves, and how to undo the whole thing if a romance turns out to be a mistake.

How to Tell Who Can Be Dated

Not everyone in Moonlight Peaks is looking for love, so before you start showering someone with gifts, check the relationships menu. Each character has heart icons that tell you exactly where things can go. A character capped at four hearts is friend territory only – no romance option there. Look instead for the stacked set of three hearts followed by "...", which is the game's way of flagging someone as a romantic prospect. 

The full roster of 23 isn't all unlocked from the jump, either. A handful are available immediately, while the rest reveal themselves gradually as you push through story quests. Moonlight Peaks doesn't force you to be monogamous. If someone new catches your eye further down the line, you're free to pursue them too, even while already seeing somebody else.

How to Romance and Date

Persistence is really the whole game here. Every day, you get one shot at giving a character a gift alongside your usual conversation, and that gift is what actually moves the needle on affection. Items they merely like bump the meter up a bit; anything they love bumps it up considerably more, and the game keeps a running list so you're not guessing – liked gifts get marked with a star, loved ones with a heart.

Two hearts in, hugging becomes an option, which feeds into a daily affection tally tracked on that character's own page. That same tally later folds in kissing once you've moved past friendship. Hit four hearts and you can finally ask them out properly – acceptance seems to be a given at that stage – after which hugs are swapped out for kisses as your daily go-to. 

Talking to a character you're dating also lets you ask them on a proper date, which takes place at the start of the next in-game night. Dates involve one of the various side activities, like creating flower bouquets or pottery. Delightfully, your partner can also take the initiative and ask you out, so don't be surprised if your evening plans get made for you!

How to Get Married

Once you hit eight hearts with a character – four pink and four red – the next time you finish a date, you'll have the option to propose. From there, you're tasked with setting a date for your wedding. There doesn't seem to be a limit on how far out you can push it, but it must take place at least two days after the proposal.

Locking in a wedding date has one immediate perk: it unlocks new outfits over at Third Eye Threads, the town's clothing shop. Whether you slip into that wedding attire early or save it for the actual ceremony is entirely your call. What you can't do is forget the day is happening – your cat will make sure of that, nagging you to get changed regardless of what you're currently wearing, which is a small detail I found weirdly charming. 

Once the ceremony wraps, you've got a spouse. It's a fairly modest change in practical terms: an achievement pops, a few new dialogue lines appear when you talk to them, and they'll occasionally be waiting for you at home when a new night begins. Eternal love, it turns out, is quite low-maintenance.

Yes, You Can Date Around – But They Might Notice

Here's the detail I find most delightful: the team has said you can date multiple NPCs at the same time, but you can only marry one. Your various love interests aren't oblivious, either – they may well have opinions about who else you've been seeing around town.

That is a genuinely fun wrinkle for a cozy game to include. Plenty of life-sims let you court the whole village consequence-free, which always feels a little hollow. Moonlight Peaks giving its residents just enough awareness to comment on your romantic escapades makes the town feel alive – or undead, at the very least. Whether you play it safe or juggle half the cast until the wedding bells force a decision is entirely up to you.

Breaking Up and Divorce

Not a fan of who you're dating, or took things all the way to marriage and regret it? Llemi, usually found outside their home, can dissolve both relationships and marriages on request. Reaching them does require swimming, which is a skill you'll pick up naturally as the main story progresses. 

This action is free of consequence, as divorce in Moonlight Peaks is quite magical instead of heartbreaking. You won’t have to worry about awkward run-ins or about your reputation taking a hit. Whatever went wrong with resident number one, the other 22 remain entirely fair game.