Silent Orbits

Silent Orbits

A routine mission to Saturn’s moon, Titan, takes a catastrophic turn when Molly Shinbo, mission's lead science officer, uncovers an ancient artifact buried beneath the ice. Moments after bringing it aboard the UNSF Raven, the ship is struck by a sudden anomaly. Systems fail, reality distorts, and Molly loses consciousness. When she wakes, nearly 300 years have passed.

The solar system she once knew is unrecognizable. Alone, displaced in time, Molly must uncover the truth about the artifact, the anomaly, and the fate of humanity.

What is Silent Orbits?

A sci-fi mystery where you survive, scavenge, and rebuild in a solar system abandoned centuries ago. The gameplay centers on exploration, choice, and atmosphere. Most of it happens through an interface where you interact with the world, make decisions, and piece together the mysteries of what happened during Molly’s long absence.

You’ll scavenge derelict ships, craft tools to survive, engage in turn-based combat, and uncover fragments of a galaxy shaped by an ancient alien race and humanity’s fight for survival. The mechanics are simple but designed to draw you deeper into the world and its story.

“Time moved forward. We didn’t. The ice outside remembers more than I do.”
- Molly Shinbo, UNSF Science Officer

Why am I making it?

I created this game to tell a story about survival, loneliness, and hope. It’s not about saving the galaxy - it’s about finding meaning in what’s been left behind and making the best of the choices you’re given. If you enjoy thoughtful sci-fi with a focus on narrative, I hope this resonates with you.

The game is in active development (Unity), most of the systems work, but there is no demo available yet, I'm preparing a vertical slice demo that would be the first solar system. Coming soon!

What already works:

• Fallout 1&2 inspired map with fog of war and exploration of space sectors
• Full character stats, leveling up, and distributing stat points on level up.
• Character equipment and inventory with options to use, drop, read, examine, and equip items.
• Ship inventory/cargo and equipment modules (weapons, shields, armor, etc.).
• Dialogue system for interactive narration (using Yarn Spinner).
• Space map with unlockable nodes tied to the story and space travel between them (with secret nodes as well).
• Macro map of each space node showing discovered sites and those you may want to revisit (including secret sites).
• Random space encounters.
• A basic turn-based ship battle system with simple but engaging tactical possibilities.
• Crafting system with a [raw materials -> parts -> items] schema.

What now?

I have most of the world lore and plot figured out and written down. Right now, I’m focused on implementing content and, of course, polishing, polishing, polishing. I’m planning to make the first solar system a playable demo. Let me know what you think and whether you’d be interested in trying the demo.
Platform: PC (Windows)

If you like The Expanse, Citizen Sleeper, or slow-burn sci-fi games about exploration and loss, this might be your kind of story.