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Mars: War Logs

RPG veterans should check the game out and give it a spin, if only to see the genuinely brilliant ideas at the game's core. Mars: War Logs isn't exactly a good game, but I have hopes that the next one, if there is a next one, given more time and a bigger budget, will be able to realize all the potential and promise oat the heart of this game.
Mars: War Logs Game Cover
71%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
73% User Score Based on 1,620 reviews
Critic Score 60%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Xbox 360Xbox Series X|SPCXbox OneSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
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Mars: War Logs Game Cover

About

Mars: War Logs is a multiplayer role playing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Spiders and was released on April 26, 2013. It received neutral reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

"Mars: War Logs" is a post-apocalyptic RPG set on a colonized and war-torn Mars. As protagonist Roy, players must navigate the political and social struggles of the planet while making moral choices that impact the narrative. With a focus on combat and crafting, players can develop their skills and abilities to survive in this brutal world.

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Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
Mars: War Logs screenshot
+13
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73%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,620 reviews
story482 positive mentions
grinding43 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with interesting characters and a unique setting on Mars.
  • Decent combat mechanics that become more enjoyable as you progress and unlock new abilities.
  • Offers meaningful choices that can affect the outcome of the story and character relationships.
  • Clunky combat system that can feel repetitive and frustrating, especially in crowded encounters.
  • Limited enemy variety and environments that can lead to a sense of monotony.
  • Voice acting and dialogue can be hit or miss, with some performances feeling amateurish.
  • story
    1,474 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Mars: War Logs" is generally described as engaging and emotionally resonant, with a gritty narrative set against a backdrop of conflict on a dystopian Mars. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the impact of choices on the storyline, although some critiques highlight issues with pacing, voice acting, and a lack of polish in execution. Overall, while the game has its flaws, many find the story compelling enough to warrant multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes.

    • “The story is engaging, as are the NPCs.”
    • “The story is genuinely engaging, with choices that meaningfully affect the narrative, and the companions are interesting enough to carry you along.”
    • “The storyline is amazing and the gameplay is awesome.”
    • “The storyline, touted as a key selling point, is a convoluted mess.”
    • “The story is mishandled consistently, whether it's just missing scenes or context or just straight up changing the stakes of situations randomly and not explaining what the hell is happening to you.”
    • “The story and characters are dull and lifeless, the gameplay is clunky and repetitive with only three types of enemies broadly speaking and the quest design results in mind-numbing backtracking.”
  • gameplay
    412 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Mars: War Logs" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its clunky combat mechanics and repetitive encounters that can detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the nostalgic feel and RPG elements, others criticize the lack of depth and variety in combat, as well as the tedious nature of quests and enemy interactions. Despite these flaws, the game offers an engaging story and atmosphere, making it a decent choice for fans of the genre, especially at its low price point.

    • “Combat flows really well, and while there are some frustrations to be had with the game mechanics, it is a fun ride overall and easy to master.”
    • “The main thing is that the gameplay is good, challenging but not overly so and otherwise satisfying with the skills you gain actually proving useful.”
    • “You have to upgrade blocking and dodging to actually make them useful, but they're also core mechanics to the combat, so it's like playing handicapped until you upgrade them.”
    • “The lackluster combat mechanics contribute to an overall sense of monotony, as players are forced to endure uninspiring encounters throughout the game.”
    • “The gameplay is old-school but still manageable, offering a nostalgic experience.”
  • graphics
    297 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Mars: War Logs" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are somewhat dated for a 2013 release, they still manage to create an atmospheric and gritty aesthetic that complements the game's setting. Some appreciate the art style and attention to detail, while others criticize the visuals as lackluster and not on par with contemporary titles. Overall, the graphics are considered acceptable for an indie game, but players should not expect cutting-edge visuals.

    • “The game’s tone recalls the grungy aesthetic of classic science fiction like Dune or Mad Max, blending industrial decay with mystical overtones of lost humanity and corrupted progress.”
    • “Spiders’ signature art style—gritty, functional, and slightly stylized—succeeds in making the game feel larger than its production scale.”
    • “The graphics are very good; I play the game on three monitors and max settings; it is well-rendered for the Mars environment.”
    • “The graphics cannot match the ambition the game conveys throughout the experience, nor are they up to par with contemporaries.”
    • “The visuals fail to immerse players in the Martian setting, robbing the game of the atmospheric quality that could have elevated the overall experience.”
    • “Graphically, the game looks like a launch title for the PS3, and that's when it's completely maxed out.”
  • atmosphere
    80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive world design, detailed environments, and a compelling soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers note a gritty, oppressive ambiance that effectively captures the themes of scarcity and decay, although some criticize the execution due to technical issues and flat character development. Overall, while the atmosphere is a standout feature, it is often accompanied by mixed opinions on other gameplay elements, leading to a nuanced reception.

    • “The soundtrack, though understated, complements the setting with atmospheric tension and mechanical undertones that enhance the feeling of isolation.”
    • “It has great atmosphere, excellent locations, a good mix of characters, and a brilliant soundtrack.”
    • “The environments capture the oppressive atmosphere of a planet dominated by scarcity and decay.”
    • “The graphics are ugly, but this meshes well with the general atmosphere of lost war, ecological disaster, and general desperation, and almost seems intentional.”
    • “During cutscenes or dialogue exchanges, you can also notice the seams where bits are played based on your choices, which kind of kills the atmosphere.”
  • music
    64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance immersion, particularly in menu screens and during key moments. While some describe the soundtrack as solid and fitting, others find it forgettable and uninspired, with a few standout tracks that elevate the overall experience. Overall, the music is seen as a highlight for some, but not universally acclaimed, often blending into the background during gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack, though understated, complements the setting with atmospheric tension and mechanical undertones that enhance the feeling of isolation.”
    • “The game's soundtrack also contributes to its immersive atmosphere, enhancing the player's sense of immersion in the world of Mars.”
    • “The music kicks and really matches well with the neat atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The sound design is another letdown, with forgettable music and uninspired voice acting.”
    • “The soundtrack is fitting yet nothing special and the outdated sound design does nothing to help the experience.”
    • “Music is boring and forgettable.”
  • grinding
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight that grinding in the game is often perceived as tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the combat mechanics and the need to backtrack through familiar areas. While some find enjoyment in the core gameplay and story, the overall experience is marred by a lack of variety in enemies and quests, leading to a sense of monotony. Despite its potential, the grinding aspect can detract significantly from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “The grinding in this game is balanced; it doesn't feel tedious, and you can progress without spending hours on repetitive tasks.”
    • “I appreciate that the game allows for a smooth grind, making it enjoyable to level up and explore the lore without feeling overwhelmed.”
    • “The grind is rewarding, as it enhances the overall experience and deepens your connection to the characters and story.”
    • “Running through the same streets over and over can be tedious.”
    • “While the art side of things looks interesting, it all falls apart when the game design starts forcing you to track back the same areas that are put together by the same assets over and over again till it becomes so tedious, you're not interested in the story anymore.”
    • “In the end, I simply couldn't be bothered grinding through the quests to find out the rest of the story.”
  • humor
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with many players finding the dialogue and voice acting to be amusingly poor, leading to moments of laughter despite the game's flaws. While some aspects, like character names and absurd situations, contribute to the humor, the overall execution is described as janky and lacking polish. Despite its shortcomings, the game offers a fun experience filled with funny quests and conversations, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its quirky charm.

    • “Really nice and budget eurojank, doesn't overstay its welcome and has an interesting enough story, very funny and janky in some parts.”
    • “But it's bad in a good way and it gets a thumbs up if only because of how much the bad dialogue made me laugh.”
    • “The writing and voice acting in this game is so bad it's funny (most of the time), but the gameplay is good.”
    • “Oh, and enemies reset literally every time you leave an area, which becomes unfunny very quickly due to the numerous hard fights that you are prone to repeat over and over again.”
  • stability
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and optimization issues that can disrupt gameplay, such as clipping, camera problems, and AI inconsistencies. While some users experienced smooth performance with no significant issues, the overall consensus indicates that the game could benefit from further polish and bug fixes to enhance the experience. Despite these technical shortcomings, many players still find enjoyment in the game's story and mechanics.

    • “I bought this game unsure of its worth, but I have to say I got my money's worth. It was a game that made me want to keep playing to learn the in-game story. Its fighting style was nice, and there were no glitches at all throughout the whole game. I've played all those big hits, and this game was more enjoyable than most. Take it for a spin; you will enjoy it, and its alternate game path gives it that replayable spark so many games lack these days.”
    • “Technical issues further mar the game, with frequent glitches, frame rate drops, and other bugs that disrupt the already tenuous immersion.”
    • “This game is plagued with small bugs and glitches.”
    • “It's pretty buggy too, the biggest issue being that 5 years after its release, a lot of people including myself can't play with their controller because apparently the game mistakenly passes some mice and keyboards for one instead of the actual controller.”
  • replayability
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the impact of choices on the storyline and the presence of multiple endings, while others find the overall experience too linear and short to warrant multiple playthroughs. Many reviews highlight the role-playing elements and skill tree variety as factors that enhance replay value, but opinions vary on how significant that value truly is, with ratings ranging from low to moderate. Overall, while there are opportunities for different experiences, the game's brevity and similarities in endings may limit its appeal for repeated play.

    • “Choices made throughout the game impact the storyline and characters, adding replay value and depth to the experience.”
    • “This also helps the game with some replay value, as it wouldn't be a 'drag' at all to have another run if someone enjoys it and would like to try something different.”
    • “Although a complete walkthrough can be done in under a dozen hours with all side quests accounted for, the game offers replayability thanks to the variety of specializations and choices the player can make during dialogues.”
    • “However, while I think the game wasn't as bad as some other reviews make it seem, I'm not sure how much replay value it has.”
    • “The game could've had replay value but the multiple endings are too similar to make me want to play the whole game over.”
    • “Edit: I just beat the game and it does not have any replay value.”
  • character development
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its depth and progression, particularly as the story unfolds and choices impact gameplay. However, criticisms arise regarding shallow character arcs, stiff animations, and limited dialogue, suggesting that while the foundation is strong, it lacks the richness expected from a robust RPG. Overall, many players find the character development engaging enough to keep them invested, despite its shortcomings.

    • “The sense of progression both in terms of character development and story is satisfying, even addicting in the 'let me just turn in this one quest next and then I'll stop playing' kind of way.”
    • “I enjoyed the character development, and the story had some twists that really kicked.”
    • “For all it gets wrong, though, Wars: War Logs has a truly enjoyable combat system and a skill-based character development tree that really allows you to play the game the way you want.”
    • “Facial expressions were a bit... nonexistent and character design got a little rough.”
    • “The main missed points are generally in dialogues and character development.”
    • “Also, the character development paths (as in Technomancer) are fairly basic with no standout differences when focusing in a specific direction.”
  • emotional
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the believable and deeply emotional story, particularly the dynamic between the main characters. However, many critiques highlight the lack of subtlety in facial animations and voice acting, which undermines the emotional weight of the narrative. While some find the experience nostalgic and heartwarming, others feel that the overall execution fails to create a deep emotional connection, leaving the story feeling flat and uninspired.

    • “A believable, realistic, and deeply emotional story.”
    • “The dynamic between the two becomes central to the game’s emotional core, as innocence’s idealism and naivety contrast with Roy’s hardened pragmatism.”
    • “Very touching cutscenes.”
    • “Bad combat with only four generic powers, a boring story, and mostly fetch quests and kill this person quests.”
    • “Crappy controls, a boring story, uninspired dialogue, and outdated graphics.”
  • optimization
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, "Mars: War Logs" is generally well-optimized, running smoothly on most hardware with high performance and minimal bugs or crashes reported by many players. However, some users experienced occasional glitches and crashes on specific platforms, such as the Steam Deck, which detracted from their experience. While the technical performance is commendable, the voice acting and character performances received mixed reviews, impacting the game's narrative engagement.

    • “Had no bugs or glitches, no crashes, very good performance.”
    • “It is optimized really well and I experienced no bugs or crashes.”
    • “The game runs smoothly, does not bug, nor do I experience screen tear or lag.”
    • “Additionally, technical issues such as bugs, glitches, and optimization issues may detract from the overall experience for some players.”
    • “Performance on the Steam Deck was fine until it started crashing every other loading screen, so I had to switch to my desktop and all the crashes instantly stopped.”
    • “Additionally, it doesn't help that the voice actors bring disgustingly wooden performances to the table as well.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for being exploitative, as it appears to recycle old content while charging players again for a new version, leading to feelings of being ripped off. Additionally, the presence of in-game advertisements, such as those for a "seedy bar," further emphasizes the game's focus on profit over player experience.

    • “They copied a lot of old data from this game and cash grabbed people with a newer version. The first supporters of 'spider' games feel ripped off, as they are forced to buy the 'Technomancer' game again to get a working copy.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems designed to squeeze more money from players rather than enhance the gaming experience.”
    • “The in-game purchases are overpriced and often feel necessary to progress, making it frustrating for players who don't want to spend extra money.”
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60%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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13h Median play time
13h Average play time
10-20h Spent by most gamers
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Frequently Asked Questions

Mars: War Logs is a role playing game with science fiction theme.

Mars: War Logs is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 13 hours playing Mars: War Logs.

Mars: War Logs was released on April 26, 2013.

Mars: War Logs was developed by Spiders.

Mars: War Logs has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Mars: War Logs is a multiplayer game.

Similar games include The Technomancer, Bound By Flame, Of Orcs And Men, ELEX, Demonicon and others.