If you’re a fan of deep, narrative-driven political simulators like Suzerain or hard sci-fi epics like The Expanse, a new indie game has just landed that you absolutely need to have on your radar. ‘Lunar Ascendant’ is a new sci-fi political drama and colony sim from solo developer Darts Games, and it puts you in the unenviable position of being the first mayor of humanity’s fledgling colony on the Moon. With a massive, text-based narrative and complex choices that have real consequences, this is a game for anyone who has ever wanted to navigate the treacherous world of politics on the final frontier.
Welcome to Artemis, Mayor
In ‘Lunar Ascendant,’ you step into the shoes of David De Silva, an ordinary person who, through a twist of fate, finds himself appointed as the inaugural mayor of Artemis, the first human settlement on the Moon. But this isn’t a simple city-builder. Artemis is a fractured society, caught in a tug-of-war between competing interests on Earth and the colonists’ own fragile hopes for independence. Your job is to lead, to negotiate, and to survive the political minefield.
The game is a turn-based, narrative-driven experience built on a staggering 200,000 words of original text. Your decisions will unfold through dialogues, official reports, emails, and even social media interactions within the game’s world. You’ll have to balance your budget (paid in Earth Credits), manage the colony’s production of valuable Helium-3, and make tough choices about everything from AI policy to interstellar conspiracies. Every decision has a long-term impact on your relationship with various factions and the ultimate fate of the colony.
A Complex Web of Choices
The core mechanic of ‘Lunar Ascendant’ revolves around making difficult decisions with no clear ‘right’ answer. The developer has emphasized that you won’t be able to do everything at once. Do you invest in infrastructure to reduce your colony’s reliance on Earth for food? Or do you focus on increasing Helium-3 production to boost your trade income? Do you appease the powerful Earth-based corporations, or do you side with the growing independence movement on the Moon?
These choices aren’t just about numbers. You’ll be managing your relationships with a diverse cast of characters, each representing different factions with their own goals and agendas. It’s a delicate balancing act where your political survival is on the line with every turn.
Try It for Yourself: The Demo is Out Now
The best part about all of this? You can try it for yourself right now. In preparation for the upcoming Steam Next Fest, the developer has released a free demo for ‘Lunar Ascendant’ on Steam. The demo covers the first four (out of a total of ten) turns of the game, giving you a substantial taste of the political challenges and introducing you to the main characters and factions. It’s the perfect opportunity to see if you have what it takes to govern on the Moon.
Your Questions About Lunar Ascendant (FAQs)
- What kind of game is Lunar Ascendant? It’s a narrative-driven, sci-fi political simulator and colony management game with turn-based decision-making.
- What games is it similar to? The developer cites the political RPG ‘Suzerain’ and the hard sci-fi series ‘The Expanse’ as major inspirations.
- Who do you play as? You play as David De Silva, the first mayor of Artemis, a new colony on the Moon.
- Is there resource management? Yes, but it’s streamlined. You manage Earth Credits (your budget) and Helium-3 (a valuable trade resource).
- Can I play the game now? A free demo covering the first four turns of the game is available on Steam right now.
- When is the full release date? A full release date has not been announced, but it is expected in late 2025 or early 2026.
Conclusion
‘Lunar Ascendant’ is shaping up to be a dream game for anyone who loves deep, complex narratives and the moral gray areas of political maneuvering. It’s an ambitious project, especially for a solo developer, and its focus on hard sci-fi and realistic political drama sets it apart in the indie space. If you’ve ever watched a sci-fi show and thought you could do a better job of running things, now’s your chance to prove it. Head over to Steam, download the demo, and see if you can guide humanity’s future among the stars.