Moon Sweepers Guide: Tools, Money, 100% Ending
This guide explains how to progress through Moon Sweepers, covering the tools you need, how to earn money efficiently, where to find collectibles, and exactly what the 100% ending requires. Whether you are stuck on a specific floor or aiming for full completion, the answers are below.
Background and Game Overview
Moon Sweepers is a mining and exploration game set on the Moon, where you control a rover equipped with a drill and vacuum to extract lunar resources. The core loop involves descending into deeper layers, upgrading your equipment, and selling collected minerals to fund further upgrades. The game blends resource management with light puzzle elements, as certain materials only appear at specific depths or require particular tools to extract.
The game is structured in distinct zones, each with unique ores and hazards. Your goal is to reach the deepest point, but true completion requires more than just depth—you must also gather every collectible and achieve a perfect financial state. The 100% ending is tied to a specific set of conditions that many players miss on their first playthrough.
Progression System and How It Works
Progression in Moon Sweepers is tied to three main factors: depth, equipment, and money. You start with a basic rover that can only drill through soft regolith. As you descend, you encounter harder rock that requires upgraded drills. Your vacuum’s capacity limits how much you can carry back to the surface, so upgrading storage is equally important.
The game uses a tiered upgrade system. Each tool has several levels, and each level increases efficiency but also costs more. The key is to balance spending on drill power, vacuum capacity, and engine speed. Upgrading only one area will leave you underprepared for the challenges of deeper layers.
Tools and Equipment Guide
Here are the essential tools and what they do:
- Drill: Determines how fast you can break rock. Higher levels allow you to mine harder materials and increase extraction speed.
- Vacuum: Collects the broken ore. Upgrading increases capacity, meaning fewer trips to the surface.
- Engine: Affects movement speed and fuel efficiency. Faster movement saves time, which is crucial for timed challenges.
- Scanner: Reveals ore locations and hidden collectibles. Upgrading increases the scanning range.
- Light: Extends visibility in dark depths. Essential for spotting rare ores and avoiding hazards.
Each tool can be upgraded at the surface base using money earned from selling ore. Prioritize the drill and vacuum first, as they directly increase your earning rate.
Money-Making Strategies
Money is the lifeblood of Moon Sweepers. Here are proven ways to maximize your income:
- Sell in bulk: Some ores sell for more when sold in large quantities. Check the market prices before selling.
- Focus on high-value ores: Deeper layers contain rarer ores that sell for significantly more. A single trip to a deep layer can net more than several shallow trips.
- Complete side missions: The game offers optional missions that reward bonus cash. These often involve collecting a specific number of a certain ore.
- Upgrade storage early: A larger vacuum means fewer trips, which translates to more time mining and less time traveling.
A common mistake is spending money on cosmetic upgrades before essential tools. Always upgrade your drill and vacuum first.
Collectibles and Secrets
Collectibles in Moon Sweepers come in two forms: lunar artifacts and hidden data chips. Artifacts are usually found in small caves off the main tunnels, often requiring a scanner upgrade to detect. Data chips are hidden in plain sight, but some are only accessible after you’ve reached a certain depth or completed a specific task.
There are 20 artifacts and 15 data chips in total. Collecting all of them unlocks a special gallery mode, but they are not required for the 100% ending. However, they do provide lore and background story that enriches the experience.
The 100% Ending Explained
The 100% ending is not simply about reaching the deepest point. It requires three conditions:
- Reach depth level 50: The final zone is at depth 50, where you find the core.
- Collect all 20 lunar artifacts: These are spread across all zones.
- Earn a total of 1,000,000 credits: This is cumulative earnings, not current balance.
Once all three are met, you can trigger the true ending by interacting with the core at depth 50. The game will show a special cutscene and credit roll. If you only reach depth 50 without the other conditions, you get the standard ending.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
Players often struggle with the following:
- Not upgrading the scanner: Many collectibles are invisible without a high-level scanner.
- Selling ores individually: This yields less profit than bulk selling.
- Ignoring fuel management: Running out of fuel deep underground can force a costly rescue.
- Missing artifacts in early zones: Some artifacts are only available before you progress too far, so backtracking may be necessary.
If you are stuck, revisit earlier zones with an upgraded scanner to find hidden caves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reach 100% completion?
On average, it takes around 20-30 hours of playtime, depending on your efficiency and how much you focus on collectibles versus money grinding.
Can I miss any collectibles permanently?
No, all artifacts and data chips remain accessible even after you complete the main story. You can return to any zone at any time.
What is the best way to earn 1,000,000 credits?
The most efficient method is to unlock depth 40-50 and mine the rare ores there, selling them in bulk. A single trip can yield over 50,000 credits if you have a fully upgraded vacuum.
Do I need to find all data chips for the 100% ending?
No, only artifacts are required. Data chips are optional and only affect the gallery unlock.
Is there a New Game Plus mode?
Yes, after reaching 100%, you can start a new game with your upgrades and money retained, but the difficulty increases.
What happens if I run out of fuel?
You will be rescued automatically, but you lose a portion of your collected ore and pay a rescue fee. It’s best to always keep a fuel reserve.
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