In late 2017, creators Joy Manufacturing co. launched a Kickstarter campaign for Ambition: A Minuet in Power, a visual novel/dating sim about wining and dining your way around luxurious Paris in the last days before it all comes crashing down and heads are chopped off. It raised $61,503, slightly shy of its $60,000 target, and has been in the works since then. After a brief delay, it is currently scheduled for release in August.
An in-game calendar allows you to manage your limited time in Paris as you party, talk, spy, and flirt your way to riches and influence while discovering the secrets of its large cast. “Enjoy the company while learning the hidden history of mysterious priests, wronged warriors, wealthy widows, and more!” reads the press release.
The choices you make influence not just your relationships with the cast of romanceable individuals in Ambition, but also the factions of Paris. There are meters to chart your interactions with the monarchy, the revolution, the military, the church, and the capitalists. Even selecting which frock to wear to a formal occasion (outfits have numbers assessing their richness, originality, and modesty) may affect your social status.
If all goes right, you’ll find genuine love. If you don’t, you’ll find up in jail or having your beautiful French throat slashed. Best wishes on that.
From August 18, Ambition: A Minuet in Power will be available on Steam.
