Buzz Aldrin: Cycling Pathways to Mars
- March 17, 2017
- 8i
Get on SteamBuzz Aldrin wants to be remembered for more than just "kicking up moon dust." He wants his legacy to include laying the groundwork for a permanent human settlement on Mars, and he has a plan. As NASA prepares to send the first humans to Mars, 8i and Time Inc's LIFE VR have collaborated with the celebrated astronaut and historical icon to create a one of a kind virtual reality experience.…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- An inspiring and educational experience featuring Buzz Aldrin, providing a unique perspective on Mars colonization.
- High-quality graphics and visuals that effectively showcase the Moon and Mars, enhancing the overall immersion.
- It's a free experience that is short but impactful, making it a worthwhile watch for anyone interested in space exploration.
- The experience is very short, lasting only about 10-12 minutes, which may leave some users wanting more content.
- There are technical issues reported, including crashes and glitches, which can disrupt the experience.
- Lack of interactivity and depth in the content may make it feel more like a 360 video than a fully engaging VR experience.
- graphics11 mentions
- 82 % positive mentions
- -9 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their excellence and breathtaking visuals, particularly in the depiction of space environments and the holographic representation of Buzz Aldrin. While most textures are impressive, some users noted awkward textures on Mars. Overall, the combination of stunning graphics and a compelling narrative creates a captivating experience for players.
“The graphics look great, the soundtrack is excellent and the running time of only a couple of minutes makes a nice short trip for any space nerd.”
“On a technical level, the graphics and environments on display here are excellent, and the plan outlined here (along with the breathtaking visuals) are really something special.”
“This was incredible, the artwork is amazing and the hologram effect is super cool.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
“The environments feel flat and uninspired, making exploration less enjoyable.”
“Character models are poorly designed and lack the polish seen in other titles.”
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story is centered around a nostalgic space narrative featuring Buzz Aldrin, who provides insights and guidance through holographic recordings while players explore lunar and Martian settlements. While the experience is described as decent, it lacks the immersive quality of other VR space experiences like "Mission ISS" or "Home: A VR Spacewalk." Overall, it offers an interesting glimpse into Aldrin's vision for future Mars missions, appealing to space enthusiasts.
“A nice little space story with an old man we know and love.”
“Buzz joins you at key points as a holographic video recording; otherwise, he is invisibly narrating the story while you are able to take a closer look at the settlements on the Moon, the cycler, and Mars.”
“For those that don't know, Buzz Aldrin was one of the three men from the United States of America that first landed on the Moon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission, alongside Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins.”
“Buzz joins you at key points as a holographic video recording; otherwise, he is invisibly narrating the story while you are able to take a closer look at the settlements on the moon, the cycler, and Mars.”
“For those that don't know, Buzz Aldrin was one of the three men from the United States of America that first landed on the moon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission, alongside Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins.”
“I knew he supported Mars manned missions, but I had no idea Buzz Aldrin had the entire mission plan, including ships.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some praise the excellent soundtrack and audio effects, others find it overly loud and distracting, often drowning out important dialogue. Additionally, the silence during loading screens contrasts sharply with the booming music, leading to an inconsistent audio experience.
“The graphics look great, the soundtrack is excellent and the running time of only a couple of minutes makes a nice short trip for any space nerd.”
“No interaction though, but I was very impressed by the visuals and the excellent audio effects and music.”
“For the love of God, turn off the booming inspirational music!”
“The music was so overbearing I couldn't hear what Buzz Aldrin had to say half the time.”
“What made the music even worse was that between scenes it was dead silent while loading.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be heartwarming, highlighting the passion and energy reminiscent of classic experiences that evoke strong feelings.
“The passion and energy from the old good buzz is heartwarming!”
“This game made me feel a deep connection to the characters, their struggles resonated with my own experiences.”
“I was moved to tears by the storyline; it beautifully captured the complexities of love and loss.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay is minimal, as players primarily engage in a passive experience by standing or sitting in their VR space without any interactive elements.
“There is no actual gameplay involved; you can just stand or sit in your VR area and take it all in.”
“The mechanics are repetitive and lack depth, making the experience feel monotonous.”
“The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
