I think there is something unsettling about the idea of living aboard an abandoned spacecraft far away from home, and based on the gameplay footage, the game appears to capture that feeling.

According to the game’s story, it was supposed to be a perfect, self-contained world, carrying everything humanity needed for a journey across the stars, but that world has collapsed. The Pergola, a generational vessel launched during the late 20th century, has been consumed by an aggressive alien ecosystem that has turned its corridors, hospitals, farms, and chapels into an overgrown wilderness. Instead of an abandoned metal structure, players find a jungle choking the remains of a lost civilization.

Manzanita Interactive, the studio behind the game, comes from an interesting background. The developers started in the Project Zomboid modding community, and that influence shows in how they describe Dandelion Void’s design philosophy. The game has been called Project Zomboid in space, combining the same open ended sandbox survival structure with a sci-fi horror setting. Player freedom, customization, emergent gameplay, and mod support are listed as core pillars rather than afterthoughts.

Unlike most spaceship survival games that lean into dark, industrial corridors, Dandelion Void focuses on the contrast between familiar human spaces and the dangerous plant life that has taken over. You explore abandoned residential areas, medical facilities, reactor rooms, libraries, and forgotten survivor settlements. The jungle itself is the primary threat rather than alien monsters or invaders. Aggressive plant life spreads through the halls, and creatures called Root Whippers are part of the ship’s new ecosystem, making every corridor a potential danger.

Hunger and thirst will not be the only things you need to worry about. The game includes systems for comfort and happiness, meaning players can transform almost any location into a personal refuge. Abandoned air ducts, office supply closets, reactor cooling areas, and improvised jungle shelters can all become homes. Collecting furniture, decorations, and personal artifacts while exploring is not just cosmetic. A well maintained living space improves morale and gives you a reason to keep pushing deeper into dangerous areas.

Exploration is built around risk and uncertainty. Sealed bulkhead doors throughout the Pergola could hide valuable supplies, lost technology, or rare equipment, but some lead directly into sections exposed to the vacuum of space. Players can repair damaged spacesuits, radiation protection gear, and hazardous environment clothing to prepare for these expeditions.

Modding is also a core focus from day one, with a custom map editor, a Lua API, support for custom clothing and weapons, new scenarios, and new biomes planned. The developers describe the game as made by modders, for modders.

Multiplayer is planned, allowing players to build bases, explore dangerous areas, fight hostile plant creatures, and share resources together. Dandelion Void does not have a confirmed release date yet, but the concept of a generation ship turned into an alien wilderness staffed by Project Zomboid veterans is one of the more unusual pitches in the survival genre right now.