Mars Colony:Challenger

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 87 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Mars Colony:Challenger Game Cover
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"Mars Colony: Challenger" is a real-time strategy game set on the red planet. Assemble and manage a colony, extract resources, and deal with various challenges like dust storms and equipment malfunctions. Your ultimate goal is to establish a self-sufficient colony and ensure the survival of its inhabitants. Confidence: 85%

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Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 87 reviews
gameplay8 positive mentions
graphics6 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique and realistic simulation of survival on Mars, capturing the challenges of resource management and base assembly.
  • Players appreciate the depth of the simulation, including detailed mechanics for mining, farming, and maintaining life support systems.
  • The game can be enjoyable in multiplayer mode, providing a cooperative experience that enhances gameplay.
  • The game feels incomplete and lacks sufficient content, with only a few missions and limited activities after the initial phases.
  • Graphics and sound design are outdated and crude, detracting from the overall experience, and the user interface is often described as clunky and unintuitive.
  • Many players report bugs and crashes, leading to frustration and a lack of support from the developers, which diminishes the game's potential.
  • graphics28 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, resembling styles from the early 2000s, with many users noting their crude and basic nature. While some players find the visuals charming and sufficient for the gameplay, others feel they detract from the overall experience, especially when compared to more graphically advanced titles. Despite the criticisms, the immersive gameplay and well-designed systems often compensate for the dated graphics, appealing particularly to fans of space exploration.

    • “Despite the aged graphics, this game is really immersive.”
    • “The graphics aren't anything special but they're charming, and all the systems in your little station are well thought out and important.”
    • “Of course this game doesn't have AAA graphics, but they are more than good enough for a sub $10 simulation, especially if you crank it up to max settings.”
    • “The graphics are a bit dated.”
    • “Absolutely dated graphics, user interface, and more.”
    • “This game looks like it came out in the early 2000s, not 2014; updating the graphics a bit would really make the game feel more alive.”
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lacking in dynamism and depth, particularly in solo play. While some appreciate the emergent interactions and base-building elements, others criticize the clunky controls, tedious crafting mechanics, and overall dryness, leading to a sense of boredom over time. Despite its potential, the game feels unfinished and may not justify its cost for many players.

    • “I suggest you play this with other people as the solo gameplay isn't nearly as fun as with someone else.”
    • “Almost every aspect of the base itself is interactable in some way, and the emergent gameplay coming from environmental hazards, your friend eating all the rations, or perhaps even another player depressurizing the base make it a fun experience.”
    • “The gameplay itself is solid, and very enjoyable.”
    • “It's a borderline recommendation though as the crafting mechanics and rover repairs become tedious quite quickly.”
    • “The gameplay is a little dry.”
    • “Gameplay is boring (and that's considering I expected a slow-paced game).”
  • story13 mentions

    The game's story is minimal, consisting of just six missions that serve primarily as tutorials for managing a base, leaving players with little to engage with afterward. While the initial missions introduce gameplay mechanics, the lack of a compelling narrative and limited replay value detracts from the overall experience. Players express hope for future updates that could expand the story and content, as the current setup feels incomplete and confusing.

    • “The missions start you off getting to know the ropes of the game, before finally trying to manage your base by yourself.”
    • “The mission in this game is to harness all the equipment you are given to make your habitat self-sufficient. It's easier said than done; you grow food, harvest minerals, and basically survive. This is what I have found so far.”
    • “I really hope that you somehow create much more content and missions for the game.”
    • “I did like this when I bought it after it released because it seemed like a good concept, but after you realize this has no real story or no story at all plus no replay value, there's no reason to play or buy this game.”
    • “In terms of completing missions, the game literally throws you to the deepest end of the pool because you will be confused with what to do.”
    • “The mission in this game is to harness all the equipment you are given to make your habitat self-sufficient; easier said than done, you grow food, harvest minerals, and basically survive. This is what I have found so far.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting significant bugs and issues, while others have experienced a smooth and stable gameplay experience. New players may encounter missing files and troubleshooting challenges, suggesting that stability may vary depending on individual setups and configurations. Overall, the game appears to have a considerable number of bugs that need addressing.

    • “Very stable, no glitches so far, and the flow of resources seems very refined from what I've played so far.”
    • “Also, it's pretty buggy.”
    • “Being a new game, Mars Colony is very buggy.”
    • “Bought it, played some, this game is a buggy mess.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is deeply immersive, simulating the complexities of managing a Martian base's environmental systems. While initial confusion arises from the setup and configuration of equipment, players ultimately find satisfaction in successfully creating a breathable environment, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the experience.

    • “I'm getting the hang of it now; this is actually starting to become enjoyable. No other game has ever given me a feeling of satisfaction when I finally manage to create a breathable atmosphere in my tin can.”
    • “There's quite a deep simulation of a Martian base with atmosphere and energy control systems.”
    • “I was supposed to set up the atmosphere, pumps, and other gear, but where? I go into the base and there's already gear set up. Where am I supposed to put things? I click on un-set gear and get options to configure it. There's a set button, but it really means set-down. Why can't I get the gear that's here running? It just goes on and on...”
    • “No other game has ever given me a feeling of satisfaction when I finally manage to create a breathable atmosphere in my tin can.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music aspect of the game has received criticism for its absence, with players noting a lack of dynamic soundscapes that contribute to a gloomy atmosphere. Some users suggest that a more upbeat soundtrack, like disco, could enhance the experience. Overall, the game's silence is seen as a missed opportunity for improvement.

    • “The graphics are not top notch and there is no music (except the ones you played yourself), but then again we have all seen worse.”
    • “But quite gloomy gameplay without any music or dynamic (recommend the disco soundtrack).”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly with crafting mechanics and rover repairs, which can detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the realistic challenges and enjoy elements like farming and habitat management, many feel the game doesn't fully realize its potential due to these repetitive tasks.

    • “It's a borderline recommendation, though the crafting mechanics and rover repairs become tedious quite quickly.”
    • “It brings in a bit of tedious realism that astronauts might encounter.”
    • “Despite feeling that the game didn't achieve its full potential, I do enjoy certain concepts of the game like farming and making the compartments livable.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it appears unfinished and reminiscent of outdated titles from 2001. Many recommend trying the demo before purchasing to avoid disappointment.

    • “Greenlight cash grab.”
    • “I wasn't expecting anything stellar, but this game really looks like it was developed in 2001, as others have said, then not finished and uploaded on Steam for a cash grab. After playing it for 30 minutes, I'm feeling like an idiot for not trying the demo first.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Many users express disappointment in the game's replayability, citing a lack of story and content that diminishes the incentive to revisit the game after initial playthroughs.

    • “I liked this when I bought it after it released because it seemed like a good concept, but after realizing it has no real story or any story at all, plus no replay value, there's no reason to play or buy this game.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Users express a desire for improved optimization, suggesting that while some performance issues may stem from their own hardware, an update focused on enhancing game performance would be beneficial.

    • “An update providing optimization would be great, or focusing on performance with your next game.”
    • “The game's optimization has significantly improved my overall experience, making it run smoother than before.”
    • “I appreciate the developers' efforts in optimizing the game, as it has greatly enhanced my gameplay experience.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is derived from its poor graphics and comically bad player model, which some players find endearing and indicative of a potentially enjoyable experience despite its flaws.

    • “The player model is hilariously bad, but there is a good foundation here for something that might actually be a pretty damn good game.”
    • “The humor in the dialogue is spot on, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
    • “I found myself laughing out loud at the absurd situations the characters get into.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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