The Dark Forest

This is a relaxing, really simple puzzle game where you are in command of a Clarketech spaceship belonging to one of the most advanced civilizations in the galaxy. Your task is simple - destroy all flourishing intelligent life in the galaxy before one day, they can become a threat!

Some civilizations are aware of the implications of broadcasting their existence to the rest of the galaxy, and they will try to remain hidden; but some will try to (usually in futile attempts) oppose you, and they will have to be reminded in apocalyptic ways.

Search the star systems in your assigned sector for life, find resources to re-energize your spaceship to travel further, and shoot "photoids" at stars so that the fury of exposed fusion will destroy the civilizations around them.

This game is inspired by Cixin Liu's "Remembrance of Earth's Past" series, a.k.a. the "Three Body Problem" universe.

GAMEPLAY

You will use energy to move and shoot. You and any of your fired photoids will travel 1 unit per turn. If you move into a star system with expansionist civilizations, you will have to spend energy to fend their attacks off.

If you run out of energy at any point, you will lose the game.

If you search and explore all systems and destroy any and all intelligent life, you will win the game.

System colors:

White: Unexplored

Yellow: No life, resources only

Green: Simpleton life (no threats)

Purple: Intelligent life (threat!)

Controls

You can move using the arrow keys. (Spends energy)

You can mine systems for energy (once per system) by moving onto them and pressing X.  (Gives energy.)

You can shoot a photoid using Z. (Spends significant energy.)