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About Lunar Ascendant
Lunar Ascendant is a political simulation RPG developed by Darts Games, released February 13, 2026. It casts players as Artemis, humanity’s first lunar colony, where managing resources, mediating faction conflicts, and navigating the ethical quagmire of using human brains as CPUs define the experience. The single-player campaign leans heavily on narrative choices, with branching outcomes that shape the future of space colonization. Set in a sci-fi setting that blends bureaucratic strategy with moral dilemmas, it’s a game for players who prefer slow-burn decision-making over combat. Its indie roots are evident in the minimalist art style and dialogue-driven mechanics.
Gameplay
Lunar Ascendant revolves around dialogue trees, resource management, and faction alignment. Players allocate oxygen, power, and water to keep the colony functional while negotiating with groups like the Earth Federation, rebel miners, and the controversial NeuroCorp, which harvests human brains for computing. Each decision, like sanctioning a brain CPU or diverting supplies, triggers cascading consequences. A typical session involves balancing urgent crises (e.g., a power outage) with long-term political strategies. The interface is grid-based, with color-coded metrics tracking public opinion and stability. Combat is absent; tension arises from moral ambiguity and limited options. Play sessions often last 2, 3 hours, with frequent saves due to irreversible choices.
What Players Think
Lunar Ascendant holds a 8.4/10 PlayPile rating, with 67% of players achieving full completion. Metacritic scores it 82, praising its narrative complexity. Community moods are split: 42% curious, 33% analytical, 25% tense. Average playtime is 14.5 hours, with 12 achievements (34% completion). Reviews highlight the brain CPU storyline as “unexpectedly haunting” (PC Gamer) and “a philosophical gut punch” (Destructure). Critics note a steep learning curve for managing systems, but 78% of players rate the story as “highly replayable.” The most common complaint is the lack of visual polish, though 61% say it “adds to the clinical feel of the setting.”
PlayPile's Take
Lunar Ascendant is $39.99 on PC, a reasonable price for its dense, story-focused gameplay. It excels for players who enjoy parsing moral ambiguity and managing factions without combat. The 34% achievement completion rate suggests some challenges are optional or obtuse, but the core experience is accessible. If you thrive in environments where every dialogue choice feels weighty and the ending hinges on ethical trade-offs, this game delivers. However, those seeking action or exploration may find it tedious. The 14-hour average playtime makes it a mid-length story, but the 67% completion rate proves it’s satisfying for most.
Game Modes
Single player
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