Mars 2030

About

Mars 2030 is a single player open world simulation game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by FMG Labs and was released on July 31, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Mars 2030" is a virtual reality exploration game that allows players to experience life as an astronaut on Mars. Traverse 40 square kilometers of open Martian terrain, collect geological samples, and study them using a VR microscope. The game features realistic day-night cycles, weather conditions, and Martian gravity, providing an immersive and accurate representation of the Red Planet. The game can also be played without VR.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 60 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

stability7 negative mentions

Visually stunning graphics and immersive experience that accurately simulates the Martian landscape.
Offers a unique exploration experience on Mars, allowing players to drive a rover and discover geological features.
Great for space enthusiasts and those interested in Mars, providing educational content about the planet and its exploration.

The game suffers from numerous bugs, performance issues, and control difficulties, particularly with the rover.
Lacks depth in gameplay, with limited interaction and objectives, making it feel more like a walking simulator than a game.
Many players experience motion sickness and graphical anomalies, detracting from the overall experience.

graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their stunning quality, beautiful landscapes, and impressive details like footprints in the sand. However, some players have reported issues such as judder and graphical anomalies, particularly on higher settings, which can detract from the experience. Overall, while the visuals are a highlight, technical performance may vary depending on hardware.
- “First and foremost, the visuals are stunning, and the music was an incredible fit; I honestly got chills in the opening scene, landing on Mars, and when exploring the cavern.”
- “In terms of graphics, this game is absolutely spectacular.”
- “The superiority of the graphics' quality is complemented by an excellent choice of ambiance sound and, occasionally, music that perfectly goes in sync with the scenery in front of you.”
- “Later replayed with a 1080 Ti and it was better, but still had to turn down the graphics settings to avoid low FPS.”
- “Even with my Titan card and the graphics set to auto, I was experiencing some judder in certain places.”
- “The combination of all the aforementioned graphical anomalies, judder, and controller issues led me to cut short my playthroughs for fear that I would actually get sick.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The game's story is criticized for its lack of depth and interactivity, with players feeling disconnected from the experience of being part of a manned mission to Mars. While the environment is visually captivating, the absence of engaging objectives, character interactions, and mission progression leaves players wanting more substance and narrative development. Overall, it presents a basic simulation of Mars exploration rather than a compelling story-driven experience.
- “I feel like the kid during the Apollo missions dreaming of the day I'd be an astronaut and land on Mars.”
- “If the idea of the mission was a non-stop experience to stun the unaware cosmonaut, you got it, guys.. every step, every mile traveled was a new world for me: the changing colors of the soil, the underground lava, the dust storms, the music, the stones that tell me stories of galaxies whose light may not have reached us.”
- “By knowing that all the ships and housing units I've been during the mission, the equipment I handled, the plants I saw in the greenhouses, and even the food cans stored in the dining room are not the result of someone's imagination, but the product of a long scientific investigation on the dream to reach Mars, made me feel that this is a game of reality, not a reality game.”
- “You're supposed to be part of the first manned mission to Mars, but once you arrive at the habitat, there are no further goals, the other astronauts don't talk to you (or each other), they're always in the same place doing the same thing, mission control sends no further messages, etc. You're free to come and go from the habitat as you please.”
- “Just don't go expecting anything crazy like alien ruins or a story or anything like that.”
- “Very basic elementary level of learning about the first human mission to Mars.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is heavily criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, visual glitches, and significant lag, leading to a feeling of an unfinished product. Issues with VR locomotion and gameplay mechanics, such as the inability to move the rover, further contribute to a frustrating experience. Overall, players warn that the game is still quite unstable and may not meet traditional gaming expectations.
- “Buggy, issues with lighting/textures, bad distortion, laggy as all hell.”
- “Very buggy, VR locomotion not great... just feels very unfinished.”
- “Extremely buggy and laggy.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, such as ghosting and item pop-ins, particularly on lower-end hardware like the GTX 1060. However, others report a smoother experience after the 1.1 update, suggesting that performance may vary depending on the system used. Overall, many players feel that further optimization is needed from the developers.
- “I bought this game after the 1.1 update and did not have any performance issues.”
- “Playing with a 1080 Ti and the performance needs tweaking by the devs. I will update my review as I play more, but right now I am loving it.”
- “Items pop in and out of existence, and it's not optimized very well.”
- “Performance could be an issue for some; my 1060 was struggling, resulting in a ghosted image.”
- “The performance of this game is just awful.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the immersive experience, with players noting that it complements the stunning visuals and evokes strong emotions during key moments, such as landing on Mars and exploring its landscapes. The ambient sound and music work in harmony with the game's environments, creating a captivating atmosphere that deepens the sense of exploration and wonder.
- “If the idea of the mission was a nonstop experience to stun the unaware cosmonaut, you got it, guys. Every step, every mile traveled was a new world for me: the changing colors of the soil, the underground lava, the dust storms, the music, the stones that tell me stories of galaxies whose light may not have reached us.”
- “First and foremost, the visuals are stunning, and the music was an incredible fit; I honestly got chills in the opening scene, landing on Mars, and when exploring the cavern.”
- “The superiority of the graphics' quality is complemented by an excellent choice of ambient sound and, occasionally, music that perfectly goes in sync with the scenery in front of you.”
- “Watching the sunset on Mars alone is eerie, especially with some of the music at sites to plant flags.”
- “If the idea of the mission was a non-stop experience to stun the unaware cosmonaut, you got it, guys. Every step, every mile traveled was a new world for me: the changing colors of the soil, the underground lava, the dust storms, the music, the stones that tell me stories of galaxies whose light may not have reached us.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a desire for a more immersive exploration experience in the game, akin to Google Earth for Mars, rather than the current grinding mechanics that feel restrictive and tedious due to vehicle limitations. They seek virtual exploration tools that would enhance the sense of discovery and freedom.
- “I wish it was more of a Google Earth for Mars, where you can zoom around from planet to map level and explore at 'street view', rather than a tedious game-wannabe where you feel limited by vehicles. Give us the virtual exploration tools, and we'll imagine how slow it would be to get around in a vehicle.”
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the content.”
- “I find myself spending more time grinding for resources than actually enjoying the gameplay, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, feeling that the meticulously crafted environments and items reflect real scientific endeavors related to Mars exploration, enhancing the sense of authenticity and immersion. This blend of reality and gameplay fosters a profound appreciation for the game's narrative and its grounding in actual scientific aspirations.
- “Knowing that all the ships and housing units I've been in during the mission, the equipment I handled, the plants I saw in the greenhouses, and even the food cans stored in the dining room are not the result of someone's imagination, but the product of a long scientific investigation on the dream to reach Mars, made me feel that this is a game of reality, not a reality game.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters and their stories truly resonated with me, making every decision feel weighty and impactful.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the narrative; it felt like I was part of something bigger, and the emotional stakes kept me engaged throughout the entire experience.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay is generally basic but offers occasional surprises that help maintain player interest. Overall, it is considered acceptable, particularly when experienced with commentary.
- “The main gameplay is okay and very basic, but it does throw up a few surprises every now and then that keeps you invested.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by impressive graphics and sound design that together create an immersive experience.
- “Great graphics, great sounds, wonderful atmosphere.”