New strategy game Dark Moon tasks you with running away from the sun in a giant spider mech; no pressure

If you fancy yourself something of a vampire, then you can probably relate with the premise of Dark Moon. One of the most intriguing survival strategy games I've seen in a while, your overarching goal is simple - stay out of sunlight, or face dire consequences. For an Earthling, that's pretty easy - buy some curtains for the day time, and don't be late home from your nighttime escapades. But when you're stranded on the barren surface of the Moon, you're going to struggle. However, by building a roaming base atop a massive, spider-like mech, you might have a chance.

Dark Moon's wild premise is one that's stuck in my mind since I first heard about it earlier in the year. And for clarity, no, you're not actually a vampire. Instead, you are the overseer of a lunar mining facility who now finds themselves fighting to survive. A solar storm has pounded Earth, rendering all electronics useless. The same is now happening to the Moon, with almost all communications and machinery getting fried.

However, you manage to take control of the Mechaplex - a massive robot used by the mining company that's now your new home. Because of its colossal size, you can build a modular settlement on top of it, and thanks to its enormous legs, you can also traverse the lunar surface to look for other survivors and outrun the sun's rays.

In your efforts to survive from the sun, you'll need to recruit new crew members, manage their needs, and avoid any conflicts between them. There are loads of narrative scenarios that'll crop up, requiring strong decision-making skills. New technologies need to be researched so that you can improve the Mechaplex and gather more resources. It turns out being the captain of a giant spider mech isn't as fun and breezy as it sounds.

Dark Moon is out right now on Steam. You can grab it with a generous 25% discount until Wednesday, November 5, making it just $14.99/ £12.56. Add it to your Steam library here, if you wish.

If this kind of experience gives you a buzz, be sure to check out our best management games list for some expert picks. For all things beyond the Earth's atmosphere, our best space games guide is the place to be.

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