In collaboration with indie developer Ganymede Games, Midwest Games has announced the upcoming release of their highly anticipated sci-fi RPG, Dark Sky. Set to launch on September 24, 2024, on Windows PC via Steam and GOG; Dark Sky is a turn-based deckbuilder set in the dystopian world of Wolf Prime, a mining planet under siege by mysterious alien forces.
In Dark Sky, players step into the shoes of Squig, a humble shipyard worker, and Norton, as they lead a band of survivors in a fight for survival and uncover the truth behind the alien invasion threatening their world. The game’s narrative-driven design promises to immerse players in a richly detailed universe filled with strategic combat, deep card customization, and a variety of character abilities to explore.
One of the key aspects of Dark Sky is its innovative card-based combat system. Players engage in grid-based battles where strategic thinking is crucial to success. Each character in the player’s party brings a unique set of cards and abilities to the table, allowing for a wide range of tactical approaches. As players progress, they can upgrade their cards through a branching system, tailoring their decks to suit their playstyle. The game encourages experimentation, with multiple decks available for different situations.
The story of Dark Sky is intended to be the beginning of a larger narrative universe that Ganymede Games plans to expand in future titles. This initial installment sets the stage with a gripping plot that revolves around the devastating effects of an alien force on Wolf Prime. The narrative unfolds through richly crafted environments, hand-painted artwork, and an evocative soundtrack.
Formerly known as Xenotheria, Dark Sky represents Ganymede Games’ first major project. The studio, based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was founded in 2019 by industry veterans with backgrounds in companies like Riot Games and Wargaming. Their mission is to create story-driven RPGs with strong characters and tactical gameplay, and Dark Sky seems poised to deliver on that promise.
Dark Sky is set to launch on September 24, 2024, and it looks to be a must-play for fans of deckbuilding RPGs and sci-fi adventures alike. Below is an overview via Steam and a trailer.
About This Game
Dark Sky offers a fresh experience for deckbuilding and RPG players, featuring character card customization, strategic combat, and clever card synergies to explore. Build your decks, choose your party, and prepare for battle!
Careful Planning, Clever Plays
Engage in card and grid-based combat and take turns to plan your party’s actions to optimize their abilities and defeat your enemies.
- Deploy your party – your choice of characters significantly impacts your playstyle and toolkit for each battle.
- Study the enemy’s intent. Navigate the grid to avoid their attacks or risk staying in the line of fire to get a better shot at them.
- Inflict noxious status effects to exploit enemy weaknesses and combine them to trigger powerful reactions for additional effects.
One Deck, Countless Tactics
Combine your character decks into a combat deck that showcases their strengths. Add new cards and unlock powerful upgrades as characters level up.
- Craft new cards for your heroes with resources collected during the campaign.
- Upgrade cards with a branching card upgrade system. Each card has a unique progression tree for you to customize.
- Experiment with builds! Tailor your decks to shape each hero’s playstyle. Save multiple decks at a time and be ready for any situation.
Six Heroes, One Party
Meet a vibrant array of playable characters, each with their own set of cards and distinct playstyle. Their personalities range from stoic and solemn to buoyant and whimsical, but all are deeply committed to saving their homeworld.
- Deploy protective barriers with Squig. He creates holographic clones that double as cover or turrets.
- Zap your enemies with Norton. His electric abilities can dish out high damage from afar, and he can charge them for even more power.
- Dart across the field as Agama. With her quick limbs and wits, she’s always in the right place at the right time.
Falling Ships, Rising Heroes
After a mysterious force starts pulling spaceships out of the sky, death and destruction rain down on the frontier mining planet of Wolf Prime, littering its surface with wreckage, debris, and danger. Wolf Prime is a hub for species from all over the known galaxy, all of whom will play a part in the narrative and mystery at hand.
