The Best Solarpunk Games

The planet is on fire. Rising sea levels, melting ice caps, droughts, and more frequent hurricanes and tornadoes constantly make the headlines. Some artists have responded by creating works about a bleak, post-apocalyptic future. Others, though, create more hopeful works, which depict humanity using technology as a solution to the climate emergency.

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This is what the solarpunk movement imagines; a world where humanity successfully lives in balance with the natural world, and seeks sustainability. Video games have captured visions of what a solarpunk world could look like. These solarpunk games each have their own artistic visions, but they all share a common theme of optimism for the future.

7

Wavetale

Tank Girl Meets Waterworld Meets Wind Waker

Wavetale is a short game where the protagonist, Sigrid, lives in a world forever changed by war. According to the stories she has heard, a force called the “Dirty Paws” polluted and flooded the planet, relegating humanity to small islands dotting the vast ocean while the old world’s cities lurk below the waves.

Wavetale has a look and feel akin to an industrial Wind Waker. The islands are populated by lighthouses and generators. These structures rely on the energy contained in Sparks, airborne jellyfish that wander about the islands. Smaller jellyfish can also be used as currency to purchase new outfits for Sigrid as well.

6

Star Wars Episode 1: The Gungan Frontier

Learn About Food Webs With Gungans

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace is either the worst Star Wars movie ever or a work of art, depending on whether one grew up with the Prequel trilogy. This era led to some beloved games, though, including a lesser-known educational title called Star Wars Episode 1: The Gungan Frontier. Here, Boss Nass charges either Obi-Wan Kenobi or Queen Amidala, depending on which character the player chooses, to establish a Gungan colony on one of Naboo’s moons.

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While the game takes place “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…,” it has much the same aesthetic and themes found in any futuristic solarpunk setting. The prosperity of the Gungan colony depends on the state of the moon’s ecosystem. Aspiring colonists must establish plant and animal life using a complex food web. If too many herbivores are present, little food will be left to sustain the population. Predators such as the Rancor can address this, but bring their own set of concerns.

5

Abzu

Relaxing Dives And Ancient Technology

Abzu is the underwater equivalent of Thatgamecompany’s masterpiece Journey. A lone diver explores the oceans, taking in the beautiful scenery, and overall enjoying the comfy vibes the aquatic world has to offer.

The solarpunk aspect of Abzu includes two crucial elements: biodiversity and high-tech ruins. Over the course of the game, the diver unlocks colorful creatures that return to the water. The game’s protagonist also discovers the remains of an advanced civilization. Both these elements tell a moving story without dialogue, creating a memorable experience.

4

Europa

Robot Boy In The Great Outdoors

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Released

October 11, 2024

Developer(s)

Novadust Entertainment

Europa follows Zee, an android child, as he explores the remnants of a terraformed colony on one of Jupiter’s moons. More context is provided by diary entries from Zee’s father, chronicling the colony’s history and its decline.

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The colony established on Europa was meant to be a new beginning for humanity, built to avoid repeating the same mistakes that destroyed planet Earth. The game beautifully portrays this sentiment, with painterly visuals, gorgeous landscapes, and the diverse wildlife that emerged out of the terraforming process. The whole package has a Studio Ghibli vibe to it.

3

Imagine Earth

Capitalism In Real Time

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Imagine Earth

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Imagine Earth envisions humanity’s future beyond the Pale Blue Dot. Players can build sprawling cities on multiple planetoids, as well as conduct trade with visitors from other worlds.

Imagine Earth mirrors the impact capitalism has on the real world. As the player’s city expands, industry can lead to a poisoned atmosphere and climate catastrophe. City managers must implement systems to reduce that output, balancing the cities’ prosperity and their environmental footprint. It can be a relaxing experience, even addicting if one is not careful.

2

Eco

Minecraft With Consequences

Eco is a community-focused sandbox game akin to Minecraft. New visitors to one of the game’s numerous servers can build, craft, and gather resources. The catch is that a meteor is hurtling towards the planet, and players will have to develop a solution to prevent disaster.

The goal is to find that solution while not seriously harming the environment. Every action in the world of Eco has a consequence. Residents will take on jobs, participate in government, and vote on laws. They will have to be mindful of their actions’ impact on the ecosystem, as players can destroy resources or accumulate greenhouse gases if they are not careful.

1

Terra Nil

Restore Ecosystems

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Terra Nil

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Released

March 28, 2023

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Terra Nil puts a unique twist on the city-building genre. Instead of creating human-populated cities, the game focuses on creating ecosystems for future inhabitants. Biomes include forests, marshes, and meadows, which host a diversity of creatures. To successfully complete a challenge, all human technology must be recycled and removed, leaving no trace.

Terra Nil shows how technology can heal planet Earth. Windmills provide electricity, and pumps bring water up from the ground, creating rivers. Lasers scorch the ground, leaving fertile soil for plants to grow. The designs of the technology used boast a sleek, futuristic design as well, which is fitting for a solarpunk experience.

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