This science-fiction game crosses relaxing power-washing with dark contemplation — and I can’t stop thinking about it

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Even after you’ve settled into a job, unexpected things can still happen. You might accidentally discover a fruit inside a fungus that shoots out with force when you try to remove it, or perhaps you’ll disable the gravity controls without remembering how high you are, leading to a dangerous situation.

Dalia, the main character in Soft Rain’s first game, Ambrosia Sky, leads a pretty typical life for a ‘Scarab’ – imagine a futuristic space witch who also happens to be a cleaning specialist. In the year 2240, she’s tasked with clearing out old, abandoned spaceships and stations near Saturn. But she’s not just tidying up; Dalia works for the Ambrosia Project, a mission to discover the mysteries of life and death to benefit humanity.

I’ve been playing Ambrosia Sky lately, and I‘m really enjoying it. I got a preview at Summer Game Fest, and even after playing a longer demo with voice acting, the first part of the game – which is one of three planned sections – has left a strong impression on me.

In space, nobody can hear you clean

Ambrosia Sky is a unique game that feels like a blend of PowerWash Simulator and Prey (2017). You play as Dalia, who uses a special sprayer to eliminate a powerful fungus, and a key part of the game is figuring out how to do so precisely and methodically.

While I can easily blast my way through the overgrown obstacles, if I want to collect the rare fruits growing on them, I need to be much more careful. Harvesting these fruits precisely is key to unlocking Dalia’s advanced abilities, and it also helps me avoid getting shocked or accidentally triggering explosions.

Careful pruning unlocks access to unique tools, including one that acts like a flamethrower. I especially like another tool that directs electricity, allowing you to power up locked doors and other equipment.

This all contributes to the game’s design, which blends immersive exploration with simpler gameplay. Initially, the cleaning tasks are simple, but later levels add interesting challenges. These include electrical puzzles that must be solved to continue and alien creatures that need to be dealt with before they become a problem.

Dalia has a grappling hook she can use to pull herself towards objects or grab items from a distance, and it’s always fun to use. The game realistically simulates physics, and when gravity is disabled, movement becomes uniquely engaging, similar to the experience in Hardspace: Shipbreaker.

It wasn’t a huge surprise – Blackbird did help Soft Rains with this game – but it was still nice to find out.

As a researcher studying this game, I’ve found that the gameplay itself really sets the mood for Ambrosia Sky. It’s a very quiet and thoughtful experience, largely because the story centers around cleaning up and piecing together the remnants of lives lost – sorting through the memories and belongings people left behind.

Dalia reads old emails about meals, technical issue logs, and co-parenting requests, and this glimpse into the past allows her to openly express her worries and sadness about what happened.

Bailey Wolfe delivers a fantastic performance portraying Dalia’s struggles, and her voice-overs effectively highlight those internal thoughts at key moments. The emotional impact is strong without being overwhelming, allowing the story to continue moving forward with its central challenges.

“Are you yearning toward a god you hope isn’t indifferent?” one email reads. I’m still wondering.

The main drawback of Ambrosia Sky right now is that it’s still a work in progress. It brings up a lot of interesting ideas, but don’t expect all the answers just yet.

It’s not really a fair criticism, since the developers have always been upfront about how the game would unfold, but it’s worth pointing out if you prefer to experience a story all at once.

Right now, my biggest issue with Ambrosia Sky is simply that it’s not finished yet.

Despite its length, the game offers plenty of content for the price. You can expect to spend several hours completing the missions, though the exact time will vary depending on how much effort you put into finding everything.

Ambrosia Sky is a great value at only $15, and I’m excited to see how the story continues in the next two parts, which are expected next year.

FAQ

Is Ambrosia Sky available on Xbox?

Currently, Ambrosia Sky: Act One can be played on Windows PCs through the Epic Games Store and Steam. It also works with portable gaming devices such as the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally.

What is the release date for all of Ambrosia Sky?

The first part of the game, Ambrosia Sky: Act One, is out now and covers the beginning of the story. The remaining two parts, Act Two and Act Three, are planned for release sometime in 2026.

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2025-11-27 17:41