Studio Surgical Scalpels is developing a new game based on Liu Cixin's science-fiction novella, The Wandering Earth: The Last Full Moon, bypassing the popular film adaptation to return to the source material. The game, helmed by Surgical Scalpels, the studio behind the zero-gravity shooter Boundary, is seen as a valid extension of Cixin's narrative, with the author's blessing.
Starry Dome, the IP holder, selected Surgical Scalpels as a development partner after a lengthy proposal phase. Development commenced earlier this year, and the team has produced a playable multi-level demo. The novella's premise centers on humanity's "Wandering Earth Project," a plan to propel the entire planet to Proxima Centauri to escape the Sun's expansion. This grand endeavor involves immense technological feats, including the controversial step of ejecting the Moon from Earth's orbit, a pivotal event lending the game its title and driving a conflict between the "Earth Faction" and the "Spaceship Faction."
Surgical Scalpels emphasizes that The Wandering Earth: The Last Full Moon will be a third-person shooter at its core, prioritizing grounded, skill-driven gunplay over ability-based powers. According to Frank Mingbo Li, Head of Studio, the game aims to fulfill player fantasies for modern shooter experiences where even futuristic tools feel physical and believable. Players will utilize tools such as a backpack-mounted robotic arm for manipulating heavy objects and flinging explosives, exoskeletons, and futuristic weaponry, alongside potential space vehicles for navigating large lunar structures. The developers maintain that these elements enhance, rather than replace, the core shooting mechanics.
A key innovation highlighted by the studio is a novel aiming system designed to increase immersion. Referred to as a triple-reticle setup, it ties the targeting reticle dynamically to the character model and lunar gravity, rather than a static screen center. This system aims to account for factors like inertia and velocity in low-gravity environments, encouraging players to engage with their surroundings. The visual aesthetic is described as "grounded," reflecting a plausible "Planetary Engine" or "Lunar Engine" design where structures appear as if they could realistically be built by humans, emphasizing the vast scale of the environments.
Liu Cixin has reportedly been supportive of creative interpretations of his work. The game is officially licensed by Starry Dome. While specific release dates and platforms are yet to be announced, current-gen consoles and PC are targeted. The current focus is on a narrative-driven single-player experience, with no multiplayer plans at this stage.