Sci-fi dungeon RPG Descent of Lunaris announced for PC

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Unison Games is creating Descent of Lunaris, a new dungeon crawler for PC (via Steam) that pays tribute to beloved classics like Wizardry, Ultima, and Shin Megami Tensei. They haven’t announced when the game will be released yet.

Here is an overview of the game, via Unison Games:

About

In 2070, a lunar mining crew detects a strange signal deep inside the moon. Almost immediately, the base’s automated systems go haywire, killing most of the crew. A global team of specialists is sent to investigate this newly discovered underground world, find the source of the signal, and face a reality that could rewrite everything we know about history.

Explore, Survive, Descend, Repeat

This isn’t just a game about surviving each level; it’s a story that makes you think about what it means to be human. As you go deeper, you’ll question everything: are you finding real answers, or being manipulated? Are you the detective, or are you the one being judged? This dungeon crawler is a fresh take on the genre, acknowledging its history while boldly looking towards a potentially unsettling future.

Modernized dungeon crawling

In Descent of Lunaris, players explore a vast, grid-based world hidden under the moon. Each level features winding paths, subtle storytelling through the environment, and hidden mysteries. As you go deeper, the dungeons change from simple metal hallways and lunar rock into strange, otherworldly landscapes created by an unknown force. You’ll encounter familiar buildings and myths, but they’re warped and twisted, creating a shifting atmosphere that moves between unsettling discovery and disturbing, dreamlike horror.

The game isn’t just about making it through each area; you’ll meet many unusual characters who could help or hinder you, depending on the choices you make. Discovering secret paths, challenging optional bosses, and learning the story bit by bit transforms the journey downward into a compelling narrative. Each area tests your team’s strength and fighting skills, but also offers disturbing hints about what it means to be human, as seen through the eyes of terrifying creatures.

Hybrid Combat System

Descent of Lunaris reinvents dungeon combat by blending the best of classic RPGs. It combines strategic, turn-based battles – reminiscent of traditional JRPGs – with deep gameplay focused on building your team, using skills effectively, and carefully managing your resources. Success depends on making smart choices about when to heal, attack, or save power for future challenges during lengthy dungeon explorations.

As players progress, the combat becomes more complex. Battles transition to a tactical grid system, expanding the area and requiring careful positioning, movement, and control of the battlefield. These encounters feature larger enemy groups, bosses with multiple stages, and dangerous environmental elements, turning each fight into a challenging puzzle. Players need to constantly adjust their team’s setup, try out different character abilities, and create new strategies to overcome each unique challenge. The game rewards planning, clever thinking, and taking chances, making each new area feel fresh and unpredictable.

Team Customization

In Descent of Lunaris, every character is highly customizable, letting you build them to fit your playstyle – whether you prefer direct combat or strategic exploration. You can upgrade their skills to focus on what they’re already good at, or create unique combinations. Choosing a subclass dramatically changes a character’s role, turning them into a powerful healer, a battlefield controller, or something else entirely. With a detailed affinity system and individual stat customization, there are almost endless ways to build your team to overcome any challenge. Unique gear, leadership skills based on who leads your team, and unlockable traits add even more depth and replayability.

The strange and unsettling worlds in Descent of Lunaris, along with its bizarre enemies, will require players to work together and be adaptable. A team that relies solely on strength might find itself overwhelmed by mental challenges or dangerous surroundings, but a well-rounded group can overcome anything. Every playthrough will be unique, and the game encourages players to try different strategies, learn from their experiences, and forge their own way through the terrifying lunar landscape.

Atmospheric Visuals and Sound

The game immediately drops you into a gritty, industrial sci-fi world – think cold metal hallways, shadowy control rooms, and the constant drone of machinery. This realistic setting creates a sense of unease as you begin to explore. As you venture further, the visuals become increasingly bizarre. The game blends detailed 2D character and creature designs with modern 3D environments, creating a striking contrast between what’s familiar and what’s alien. You’ll notice surfaces flicker, perspectives shift, and structures become warped, hinting that you’re not just exploring the moon, but something ancient and dangerous.

As a fan, I have to say the sound in Descent of Lunaris really adds to how unsettling the game is. It’s not just background music; it actually builds this feeling of everything falling apart. They used music from a lot of underground artists and experimental producers, and it’s brilliant. You start with these heavy, industrial beats, then it gets really sparse and creepy, full of dread. And as you go deeper into the dungeon and things start to get weird, the music becomes totally distorted and psychedelic. Each level feels more and more surreal and unnerving, like it’s actively pulling you away from anything familiar and straight into a nightmare. It’s a really effective way to build tension!

What Have We Done?

Descent of Lunaris is a nostalgic tribute to classic dungeon RPGs. It blends old-school grid-based exploration with the turn-based battles and team-building you’d find in games like Wizardry, Ultima, and Shin Megami Tensei. Featuring a captivating story and a quest that questions what it means to be human, Descent of Lunaris offers a fresh take on the dungeon crawler for modern players.

Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.

Announce Trailer

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2025-10-27 19:02