Try not to get guillotined in Ambition: A Minuet in Power this August

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It's a lovely evening in pre-revolutionary Paris, and you are a scheming noble.

Back in late 2017 developers Joy Manufacturing co. ran a Kickstarter for Ambition: A Minuet in Power, a visual novel/dating sim about wining and dining your way through decadent Paris in the final days before it all comes down and the heads come off. It raised $61,503, just clearing its $60,000 goal, and has been in the works ever since. After a delay, it's now ready for an August release.

An in-game calendar lets you manage your limited time in Paris to party, gossip, spy, and seduce your way into wealth and influence, learning the secrets of its extensive cast. "Enjoy the company and learn the secret histories of mysterious priests, wronged soldiers, wealthy widows, and more!" says the press release. 

The decisions you make affect your relationships not only with Ambition's cast of romanceable characters, but the factions of Paris. There are meters to keep track of your relationship with the crown, the revolution, the military, the church, and the bourgeoisie. Even choosing which frock to wear to an official event (outfits have stats measuring their luxury, novelty, and modesty) can alter your standing in society.

If all goes well you'll find true love. If not, you'll end up in prison or with your delicate French neck on the chopping block. Good luck with that. 

Ambition: A Minuet in Power will be available on Steam from August 18. 

Jody Macgregor
Jody Macgregor
Weekend/AU Editor

Jody's first computer was a Commodore 64, so he remembers having to use a code wheel to play Pool of Radiance. A former music journalist who interviewed everyone from Giorgio Moroder to Trent Reznor, Jody also co-hosted Australia's first radio show about videogames, Zed Games. He's written for Rock Paper Shotgun, The Big Issue, GamesRadar, Zam, Glixel, Five Out of Ten Magazine, and Playboy.com, whose cheques with the bunny logo made for fun conversations at the bank. Jody's first article for PC Gamer was about the audio of Alien Isolation, published in 2015, and since then he's written about why Silent Hill belongs on PC, why Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale is the best fantasy shopkeeper tycoon game, and how weird Lost Ark can get. Jody edited PC Gamer Indie from 2017 to 2018, and he eventually lived up to his promise to play every Warhammer videogame.