Lunarium — Complete Action RPG Guide

Overview

Lunarium is an atmospheric fantasy action-RPG developed by 月相仪Lunarium and published in partnership with Imperfect Games. Set to release on July 28, 2026, it tells the story of two young women — Ave, a light-armored knight, and Lune, a mysterious Starfarer — who must save their dying world by retrieving the lost glow of the stars.

The world of Lunarium is on the brink of collapse. The stars have gone dark, ancient memories are fading, and the land itself is crumbling. Ave and Lune must journey across multiple realms, overcoming trials, battling corrupted creatures, and piecing together the cosmic secrets that bind their fates.

Gameplay blends action-RPG combat with character-switching mechanics. You control Ave in direct melee combat while Lune provides support with starfarer abilities. The two-heroine setup creates a dynamic flow similar to Child of Light meets NieR — light platforming, real-time combat, and a heavy emphasis on atmosphere and story.

Release Date: July 28, 2026 Price: TBA (Steam Wishlist available)

Details Table

Target Audience

Lunarium is built for:

• Action-RPG fans who enjoy character-driven combat with light soulslike elements — dodge, attack, switch, repeat.
• Story-focused players — the narrative of two girls saving a dying world is front and center.
• Atmosphere seekers — the game emphasizes emotional environments, a melancholic soundtrack, and visual beauty.
• Fans of dual-character mechanics — switching between Ave (melee) and Lune (magic/ranged) keeps combat varied.
• Players who enjoyed Child of Light, NieR:Automata, or Ender Lilies — Lunarium shares their blend of action, melancholy, and beauty.

Not recommended for: players seeking deep RPG systems (skill trees, crafting, open world) or those who prefer purely gameplay-driven experiences with minimal story.

Getting Started

Step 1: Learn the Characters

Before diving into combat, understand your two heroes:

• Ave — light-armored knight, melee DPS, fast and aggressive. Your primary fighter.
• Lune — Starfarer, ranged magic, area control, support. Fragile but versatile.

You can switch between them freely. The game is designed around using both.

Step 2: Master the Controls

• WASD — Move
• Mouse — Attack / Aim
• Shift — Dodge roll
• Space — Jump
• Q — Switch character
• E — Interact
• 1-4 — Skills
• Tab — Inventory

Full controller support is available. Recommended if you prefer action-games with a gamepad.

Step 3: Explore Thoroughly

The game rewards exploration with upgrade materials, memory fragments, and optional bosses. Check every corner, revisit areas after unlocking new abilities, and talk to NPCs for lore.

Characters

Ave — The Light-Armored Knight

Ave is your primary melee combatant. She wears light armor that prioritizes mobility over defense, allowing for quick dodges and aggressive combos. Her fighting style is up-close and relentless — she closes distance fast and strikes hard.

Combat role: Damage dealer, frontline Strengths: Melee DPS, mobility, parrying Weakness: Low defense, requires precise timing

Lune — The Starfarer

Lune is a mysterious being from beyond the stars. She fights at range using starfarer abilities — think projectile magic, area control, and support skills. She's fragile but can control the battlefield from a distance.

Combat role: Ranged DPS, support, area control Strengths: Ranged attacks, area denial, utility Weakness: Low HP, vulnerable in close quarters

Combat System

Real-Time Action

Combat is real-time with no turn-based elements. You control one character at a time and can switch instantly. Enemies have attack patterns, tells, and weak points that reward observation and timing.

Dodge and Parry

Ave has a dodge roll with invincibility frames — standard for the action-RPG genre but executed with tight timing. Parrying is also available, letting you deflect enemy attacks and open them up for counterattacks.

Character Switching

Switch between Ave and Lune mid-combat. This is the core strategic layer: use Ave to break through enemy defenses, then switch to Lune for ranged punishment while the enemy is staggered. Or kite enemies with Lune's ranged attacks and finish them with Ave's gap-closers.

Skill Abilities

Each character has unique skills mapped to hotkeys (1-4 by default). Skills consume resources (likely mana or a similar pool) and include:

• Ave: Charged slash, spinning strike, shield bash, gap closer
• Lune: Star projectile, gravity well, healing light, teleport

Boss Fights

Boss encounters are multi-phase affairs with distinct attack patterns. The trailer and Gematsu preview suggest 5+ major boss fights across the journey, each requiring mastery of both characters.

World and Exploration

Lunarium takes place across multiple interconnected worlds. The main hub is the dying world of Lunarium itself, but Ave and Lune travel to other realms to retrieve the lost starlight.

Environments revealed so far:

• Ruined cities — crumbling architecture with vertical exploration
• Starfields — cosmic dream-like realms with floating platforms
• Ancient forests — overgrown paths hiding forgotten secrets
• Underground caverns — crystalline caves with bioluminescent flora

Exploration is linear but with branching paths, secrets, and optional areas. The focus is on curated level design rather than open-world sprawl.

Progression and Upgrades

Based on available information, progression includes:

• Stat upgrades — increase HP, attack, defense, and mana
• Skill unlocks — new abilities unlocked through story progression
• Equipment — weapons and armor found or purchased
• Memory fragments — collectibles that reveal backstory and lore

The game doesn't appear to have a traditional skill tree or crafting system, instead focusing on unlocking abilities through story milestones.

Press and Previews

Lunarium has received early coverage from notable outlets:

• IGN — listed with a game page at ign.com/games/lunarium
• Gematsu — covered the July 28 release date announcement
• The game was featured at gaming events and has a dedicated fan following

Early impressions from previews highlight the art direction and emotional storytelling as standout elements.

Tips

1. Master character switching early

Don't stick with one character. The game is designed around switching. Practice swapping between Ave and Lune in the first area until it becomes second nature.

2. Learn enemy tells

Every enemy has a wind-up animation before attacking. Watch for it, dodge, then counter. Rushing in blindly gets you killed.

3. Use Lune for crowd control

When outnumbered, switch to Lune and use her area attacks to thin the herd before sending Ave in to clean up.

4. Explore thoroughly

The game rewards exploration with upgrade materials, memory fragments, and optional bosses. Check every corner.

5. Upgrade both characters evenly

Focusing only on Ave leaves Lune too fragile for sections where she's needed, and vice versa. Keep their gear and stats balanced.

6. Parry is worth mastering

Parrying isn't required but it makes boss fights significantly easier. The timing is generous enough to learn through practice.

7. Save before boss rooms

If the game has manual save points, use them. Boss fights are long and multi-phase.

FAQ

Q: When does Lunarium release? A: July 28, 2026 on Steam.

Q: Is there a demo? A: Not confirmed. Check the Steam page for updates.

Q: Is it a soulslike? A: It has soulslike elements (dodge rolls, stamina management, bonfire-like checkpoints) but is more accessible — lighter on punishment, heavier on story.

Q: How long is the game? A: Estimated 10-15 hours for a first playthrough, based on preview coverage.

Q: Is there multiple endings? A: Not confirmed, but the story's themes of memory and sacrifice suggest narrative branches.

Q: Is there voice acting? A: Not confirmed. The developer is a small team, so it may be text-only.

Q: Will there be post-launch content? A: Nothing announced yet. The initial release includes the full story.

Q: What languages are supported? A: Not yet confirmed. The developer is Chinese, so Chinese and English are likely.

Community and Links

• Steam Page: store.steampowered.com/app/2939790
• IGN: ign.com/games/lunarium
• Gematsu Coverage: gematsu.com (search "Lunarium")

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Last updated: July 2026. Guide will be updated on release day.