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Surviving Mars

Surviving Mars is a challenging yet engaging city builder that makes me want to colonize Mars again and again.
78%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, stability
83% User Score Based on 28,796 reviews
Critic Score 73%Based on 22 reviews

Platforms

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About

Surviving Mars is a sci-fi city builder that challenges you to establish a thriving colony on the Red Planet. Choose a space agency, select a colony site, and manage resources, infrastructure, and colonist needs to ensure their survival. Embrace the challenges of Mars' hostile environment, conduct research, and utilize drones to expand your settlement. Ultimately, your goal is to discover the purpose of mysterious black cubes and make Mars habitable for future generations.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
Surviving Mars screenshot
+3

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 28,796 reviews
gameplay920 positive mentions
grinding624 negative mentions
  • The game offers high replayability with various scenarios, mysteries, and extensive customization options that keep players engaged.
  • The visuals and atmosphere are stunning, effectively capturing the essence of Mars and enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
  • The humor and clever pop culture references add a fun layer to the gameplay, making it entertaining and enjoyable.
  • The game suffers from significant bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly with recent DLCs, leading to a frustrating experience for many players.
  • Many players find the gameplay repetitive and tedious, especially in the late game, with a lack of meaningful choices and depth.
  • The aggressive monetization practices, including reliance on DLC and microtransactions, detract from the overall experience and give the impression of a 'cash grab'.
  • gameplay
    3,310 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Surviving Mars* is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics and frustrating limitations. Players appreciate the depth of resource management and colony building, which can be addictive and rewarding, especially with the added complexity from DLCs. However, many reviews highlight issues such as a steep learning curve, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of meaningful choices, leading to a sense of stagnation in the late game. Overall, while the game offers a unique experience with its Martian setting and strategic elements, it suffers from bugs, UI problems, and a need for more polished mechanics to enhance player enjoyment.

    • “This game has such great gameplay and replayability that even years after launch it attracts new players like me. (I bought the game a couple of days ago).”
    • “The gameplay, focused on building and managing a colony on Mars, is both challenging and rewarding, making every small success feel meaningful.”
    • “With its engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and immersive soundtrack, the game is a must-play for fans of strategy and simulation.”
    • “I really tried hard to like this game but in the end I had to give up trying; there are so many good things in the game, but I have to warn others about this: the gameplay has serious issues that need to be dealt with by the developers.”
    • “The gameplay loop is tedious as heck; whoever decided it would be a good idea to make the research tree completely and utterly random every time you play needs to never do it again because it's the worst idea ever.”
    • “The gameplay lacks depth; after playing for an hour, I began to pick up on the basics of gameplay, but it quickly became repetitive and boring.”
  • graphics
    1,848 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of *Surviving Mars* receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and attention to detail in the Martian landscapes and structures. However, significant issues such as graphical glitches, particularly on Mac systems, and performance problems have been reported, making the game unplayable for some users. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is highlighted, the technical execution has left many players frustrated.

    • “The visuals are stunning, capturing the desolate beauty of Mars while hinting at the potential for something spectacular—if you don’t blow it up first.”
    • “The game's visuals are stunning, with beautifully rendered Martian landscapes and intricately designed buildings and robots.”
    • “Surviving Mars is an impressive game that offers an immersive colonization simulation experience with stunning graphics.”
    • “An amazing game made completely unplayable by graphic issues.”
    • “Longtime graphics glitch on Mac (M1) has gone reported and unaddressed for years.”
    • “It is unplayable, graphics are completely broken, UI is jumping all over the place, terrain is appearing and disappearing randomly.”
  • story
    1,738 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of "Surviving Mars" is characterized by a lack of a cohesive narrative, with many players noting that the game primarily focuses on resource management and colony building rather than a traditional storyline. While there are various "mysteries" that introduce unique challenges and minor story elements, these often feel disconnected and do not significantly impact gameplay. Overall, the game offers a sandbox experience with some engaging story bits, but many players express a desire for a more structured and compelling narrative to enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “The game also stands out with its visuals and various storylines and mysteries, such as discovering hidden artifacts, unearthing ancient secrets, and encountering strange events that keep players hooked and eager for more.”
    • “The unique storylines add a nice twist to each playthrough, and I was engaged enough to have multiple games through to the end or at least close to it.”
    • “The writing for the game is especially thoughtful and in an age where I have mostly fallen out of story-based games, it still manages to captivate me.”
    • “There's little in the way of story, though a few narrative chains and one-off events give some texture to any given playthrough, and the audiovisual presentation is decent if not particularly inspiring.”
    • “The start is slow and boring, no real story to speak of, nothing that hooked me.”
    • “No story.”
  • music
    1,420 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Surviving Mars" is widely praised for its engaging and atmospheric qualities, with many players highlighting the diverse range of in-game radio stations and the overall soundtrack as standout features. While some find the music soothing and immersive, enhancing the gameplay experience, others note that it can become repetitive over extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset to the game, contributing to its relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.

    • “One of the standout features is the fantastic soundtrack (special mention to the Eurovision-style bands) that bring a unique, energetic vibe to the game, enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, with a haunting and inspiring score that'll leave you feeling like a true space explorer.”
    • “The music is amazing and I feel so calm playing, at least till I get colonists.”
    • “Negative: the soundtrack has to be improved; even with the soundtrack DLC, the music is still the same.”
    • “Put me to sleep, very boring, bad graphics, repetitive music that plays on a short replaying loop.”
    • “The worst offender is the repetitive soundtrack that I quickly switched off, because it's literally the only song that plays.”
  • replayability
    1,060 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of "Surviving Mars" is a mixed bag, with many players praising its potential due to various starting conditions, mission sponsors, and randomized tech trees that can create unique experiences in each playthrough. However, some reviewers express concerns about the game's limited content and repetitive late-game scenarios, which can diminish long-term replay value. Overall, while the game offers significant replayability through its customization options and modding community, some players feel it lacks depth and variety in gameplay after multiple sessions.

    • “With about a dozen different mission sponsors (think of it as your starting civilization), scenarios (called 'challenges' in the game), hundreds of potential landing sites, a handful of plotlines to follow, and many more parameters that you as the player can control going into a playthrough, this game is especially well-balanced towards any playstyle and I feel has a great deal of replayability, something I am always looking for in any game.”
    • “High replayability: with multiple scenarios, mysteries to unravel, and endless customization options, Surviving Mars keeps you coming back for more.”
    • “The ability to customize your colony and tailor your gameplay experience to suit your preferences adds another dimension of depth and replayability to the game.”
    • “It lacks various quality of life features, has no real replay value, and on top has barely any content without DLCs.”
    • “It's a decent game for a single playthrough, and technically solid, but it doesn't have much replay value in my opinion and is very slow-paced.”
    • “The replayability is not great as the scenarios are quite similar, but it was still very enjoyable while it lasted.”
  • grinding
    654 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players finding it tedious and frustrating. Micromanagement of resources, colonists, and tasks becomes repetitive and burdensome, especially in the late game, leading to a loss of enjoyment. While some players appreciate the initial fun and complexity, the overall sentiment is that the game devolves into a grindy experience that requires excessive clicking and management without sufficient rewards.

    • “Challenging but not tedious.”
    • “This one isn't too tedious and yet has enough complexity and variety to keep me interested.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Honestly this game quickly loses its appeal and just becomes tedious.”
    • “The gameplay loop is tedious as heck, whoever decided it would be a good idea to make the research tree completely and utterly random every time you play needs to never do it again because it's the worst idea ever.”
    • “The game seems amazing at first, but once you get past the initial setup and balancing your colony, expansion just becomes tedious with no real reward, and you run out of goals to reach other than more colonists and domes.”
  • stability
    446 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and freezes that significantly impact gameplay. While some users have experienced smooth performance and minimal issues, a substantial number have expressed frustration over game-breaking glitches, particularly with recent DLCs. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern, with many recommending caution until further patches are released to address these issues.

    • “This game plays super smooth with little to no glitches or issues.”
    • “But I have not had any game-breaking bugs, or really bugs in general (just 1 bug over 40+ hours) - it's super stable, looks good, runs great.”
    • “It's gorgeous in basically every way, almost entirely bug free, and a blast to play.”
    • “Surviving Mars is a great game, but Paradox has abandoned it as a buggy mess, and it won't even start up for me. I did manage to get seven hours of gameplay in, and it was awesome, but the bugs are frustrating.”
    • “I really hate that this has to be a negative review, but the unpredictability of the freezes means that I can play for seconds or days between freezes. The number of times I have lost significant progress to these freezes means that I am angry much of the time with this game, and that's no way to live life.”
    • “This game is incredibly buggy and unplayable. New DLC has made the game very buggy, and many of the bugs introduced were already known to be a problem before they released it.”
  • atmosphere
    324 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Surviving Mars" is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, enhanced by stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack that effectively captures the essence of the Martian landscape. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the game's environments, which contribute to a sense of wonder and exploration as they terraform the planet. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance and thematic elements create a compelling experience that draws players into the challenges of colonizing Mars.

    • “The combination of the hauntingly beautiful Martian vistas and the immersive soundtrack creates an otherworldly atmosphere that truly transports players to the red planet.”
    • “The attention to detail in the game's environments and structures is commendable, lending an immersive and authentic atmosphere to your colonization efforts.”
    • “The game’s crisp visuals and atmospheric soundtrack perfectly capture the beauty and isolation of the red planet.”
    • “It's busy work with no real payoff as even with a breathable atmosphere people refuse to self-determine - you are the colony's eternal parent which becomes an unworkable mess once you have more than two thousand colonists.”
    • “Wow, this game is just like Mars' atmosphere... void of anything.”
    • “General ambiance is missing slightly; I would wish for more harsher sounds of the atmosphere I am currently zoomed on, harsh gales, louder meteor strikes, etc. It is missing that oomph, or the loneliness of the lifeless planet or hustle and bustle when your city is thriving.”
  • optimization
    278 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While some players report smooth performance and good graphics even on lower-end systems, others experience significant stuttering and crashes, particularly in late-game scenarios with large colonies. Overall, while recent updates have improved stability for many, there are still notable optimization issues that need addressing, especially for players pushing the game's limits.

    • “The game is very well optimized and everything feels natural; you will indeed start slow and things will be shutting off every now and then, which can draw people away unfortunately, but if you stick around, you can make a massive settlement on Mars.”
    • “Performance is great, everything looks fantastic.”
    • “The game has top-notch quality visuals and no performance issues at all.”
    • “It also has horrendous performance with the game always stuttering and making it near impossible to do much.”
    • “However, the optimization of this game is horrible, just horrible.”
    • “The game keeps stuttering even after I closed everything and turned the game to low.”
  • humor
    196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Surviving Mars" is a notable highlight, with players appreciating its clever pop culture references, amusing random events, and the quirky behavior of colonists that often leads to comedic situations. While some reviewers feel it lacks the lighthearted tone of similar games like "Tropico," many still find the game entertaining and filled with moments that elicit laughter, particularly through its unique mechanics and unexpected challenges. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its complex gameplay, making it a fun experience for those who enjoy sci-fi and city-building genres.

    • “This is a wonderful mix of survival meets city builder with plenty of humor on top!”
    • “The random events also help to spice up your playthrough, and some are really hilarious (looking at you, flat mars society!).”
    • “It's an incredibly well crafted, beautifully designed game with enough of a sense of humor that it makes you grin.”
    • “You're not funny!”
    • “My drones started to steal resources and it's not funny.”
    • “Update: my drones started to steal resources and it's not funny.”
  • monetization
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization practices of the game have drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" due to the excessive reliance on DLC and microtransactions that feel like essential content is locked behind paywalls. Players express frustration over the game's focus on monetization rather than quality content, leading to a perception of it as an "in-game purchase simulator" that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the sentiment is that the game's potential is undermined by its aggressive monetization strategy, leaving many fans disillusioned.

    • “A decent city builder, but avoid the DLC as it follows the common monetization practices of Paradox.”
    • “I have no idea how this company is still present in the gaming industry with this kind of monetization.”
    • “It became a cash grab, which is sad as it could be such a good game.”
    • “Even if they do fix the issues they created, at this point it is clear they are perfectly willing to release cash grab untested DLC that makes the game unplayable.”
    • “The game has potential, but currently it is a complete bug fest, mainly because the current focus is on monetization and spitting out DLCs rather than making quality content.”
  • emotional
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, particularly through the journey of terraforming a barren landscape and nurturing colonists. The challenge of establishing a thriving colony amidst harsh conditions creates a rewarding emotional payoff, with moments of both heartwarming success and heartbreaking failure. However, some players feel detached from individual colonists, viewing them more as tools for progress rather than as integral parts of their emotional investment in the game.

    • “You become emotionally invested in your colonies and the people that live in them over time, and you want to see them thrive.”
    • “The strong points of the game are that the first playthroughs we really feel lost in a hostile planet, the gameplay is quite unique and seeing Mars having vegetation and your colonists breathing without domes can be quite an emotional experience after so much time watching them struggling to survive.”
    • “Establishing a stable colony with a thriving economy can be a real challenge (and watching it fall apart toward inevitable collapse is heartbreaking), but if you can get one up and running, finishing the story arcs and terraforming Mars (with the expansions) is very satisfying.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Many players feel that the character development in the game lacks depth, with a desire for more intricate social dynamics and a richer narrative. Overall, the consensus suggests that the story and character arcs could benefit from further elaboration.

    • “Some players might miss deeper character development and social dynamics.”
    • “The story and character development could have been more in-depth.”

73%Critics’ scoreBased on 22 critic reviews

Buy Surviving Mars

26h Median play time
100h Average play time
21h Main story
130h Completionist
10-96h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 360 analyzed playthroughs

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