Editorial: Lunars Proves That Day-One Linux Support Isn't Just Possible—It’s Essential

The party game genre is notoriously hit-or-miss. For every Mario Party, there are a dozen clones that launch with broken netcode and three minigames. That’s why Lunars, the new zodiac-themed chaos simulator from Anubis Arts, caught our eye this week. Not only did it hit Steam Early Access with a surprising amount of day-one polish, but it also delivered native Linux support—a move that puts bigger "AAA" studios to shame.

The Bottom Line: Lunars is a $13.49 investment in ruining your friendships. It’s a dice-rolling board game that supports up to 8 players, featuring 30 minigames and a specialized "Blitz" mode that fixes the pacing issues usually found in this genre. If you’re tired of waiting for "coming later" Linux ports, this is your win.

More Than Just "Mario Party" With Plushies

We’ve seen plenty of party games try to replicate the Pummel Party or Mario Party formula. Most fail because they lack "The Hook." Lunars uses its zodiac theme for more than just aesthetics; the board mechanics and sabotage items feel tuned for maximum toxicity. Our analysis shows that the "Blitz" mode is the real game-changer here. By having everyone move simultaneously, Anubis Arts has solved the "I'm checking my phone until it's my turn" problem that plagues traditional digital board games.

A Masterclass in Early Access Readiness

Too many games treat Early Access as an excuse to ship a tech demo. Lunars is doing the opposite. Launching with 30 minigames is an aggressive statement of intent. In our experience, games that ship with this much "meat on the bone" tend to have a much higher 1.0 success rate because the devs are focused on balancing rather than just building basic assets.

The developer, Anubis Arts (a two-brother team), spent five years in the lab with this one. That longevity shows in the QoL features. The hybrid multiplayer—allowing local couch players to join an online lobby—is a feature even some $70 titles still struggle to implement correctly. For those of us with friends scattered across time zones, this isn't just a "nice to have"; it’s the only way we play.

The Linux Victory

We need to talk about the Linux support. In an era where "Proton compatibility" is often used as a crutch by developers to ignore native builds, seeing Lunars launch with native Linux support is a breath of fresh air. It shows a level of respect for the community that we rarely see outside of the indie space. For Steam Deck users, this means better battery optimization and fewer "will it/won't it" headaches after a system update.

Streamer Bait and Cursed Moments

The inclusion of Twitch integration at the Early Access start line is a calculated move. By allowing chat to influence the board, Lunars is positioning itself as a staple for community nights. Expect to see this game blowing up on your feed as streamers realize how easy it is to let their audience "sabotage" their victory. It’s a smart growth strategy that capitalizes on the game's "cute but ruthless" DNA.

The Verdict: Get In Now

We’ve seen plenty of "friendship-ending" games come and go. Lunars has the staying power because it respects the player's time (Blitz mode) and the player's choice of OS (Linux). At under $15, it's a low-risk, high-reward addition to your library. We’ll be watching the road to the 1.0 launch in late 2026, but as of right now, the foundation is rock solid.

Quick Take: If you’re looking for a new way to make your friends regret their life choices, Lunars is it. Grab it while the launch discount is live.