Moonwalk Games Announces Debut Title “A Thug’s Ascension” – A Narrative-Driven Action Adventure
In a gaming landscape often dominated by discussions of innovative mechanics, Moonwalk Games, an independent game developer based in Surat, India, takes a refreshing approach with the announcement of their debut title, “A Thug’s Ascension.” Led by the visionary writer-director Adi Chandra who is currently pursuing animation course from UPES Dehradun, the team deliberately prioritizes storytelling, aiming to deliver a narrative-driven action-adventure that stands out in the crowded indie gaming scene.
“A Thug’s Ascension” was unveiled in the DreamHack Beyond Indie Showcase this August, captivating audiences with a two-minute trailer showcasing the game’s cinematography and gameplay dynamics. The narrative-driven approach and deliberate pacing of the action-adventure title were evident, setting it apart from the fast-paced norm. The game has since been featured in various expos, including DevGAMM Lisbon and the IndiaGDC indie expo in Hyderabad, building anticipation for its release on January 16, 2024, on Steam for Windows and macOS.
Players step into the shoes of ‘Chief,’ a mercenary-for-hire with a compelling four-hour-long story marked by intricate character arcs and a sophisticated plot. Chief’s mission revolves around escaping the fictional megacity of Maratha, inspired by Mumbai, to leave the haunting pains of the past behind. However, the quest is thwarted by the billionaire industrialist Dr. Sarkar, who seeks to rebuild Maratha in his image by controlling and destroying its organized crime network. The game explores themes of loss, trauma, responsibility, rage, and community as Chief and his gang of outlaws clash with Sarkar’s political intrigue and calculated conspiracies.
While “A Thug’s Ascension” leans toward more story than gameplay, it presents itself as a first-person shooter with driving, exploration, and occasional puzzle-solving elements. The fifteen-chapter campaign demands varied gameplay styles, from epic city-wide car chases to blowing up rival gang fortresses. The combat, although mechanically simple, emphasizes using the environment as a weapon, incorporating falling objects, exploding cars, and other interactive elements.
Adi Chandra, the director of Moonwalk Games, emphasizes the game’s strength in embracing limitations. “We enjoyed our limitations. The game enjoys its own,” he explains. “My job as a designer was to come up with the most fiendish ways to put our three simple mechanics of combat, driving, and interaction together into exciting and highly intense gameplay sequences.”
To give gamers a glimpse into the intense gameplay, Moonwalk Games released a ninety-second gameplay trailer for Steam, showcasing the full ragdoll-mowing glory of “A Thug’s Ascension.”
The game is set to release for Windows and macOS, with a Linux port following soon after. Players eager to experience this narrative-driven action-adventure can wishlist “A Thug’s Ascension” on Steam through its store page.
About Moonwalk Games
Moonwalk Games is an independent developer and publisher of narrative-driven ‘art games’ based in Surat, India. Founded by creative director Adi Chandra in July 2017 at the age of thirteen, Moonwalk Games has been dedicated to bringing their dream game, “A Thug’s Ascension,” to life since September 2018.
