Surviving Mars: Pioneer

About

Surviving Mars: Pioneer is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Bolverk Games and was released on September 4, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Surviving Mars: Pioneer challenges you to endure the harsh, desolate Martian environment using limited resources and survival tools. Manage vital stats like oxygen and nutrition while crafting upgrades and establishing production loops to sustain your colony. Explore the landscape with jetpacks and rovers, complete dynamic contracts, and strategically build your outpost to unlock the unfolding story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 45 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

Hours of fun and engaging gameplay that encourages strategic thinking.
Great graphics and smooth performance enhance the immersive experience.
Addictive survival and crafting mechanics with a vast world to explore.

Limited controller support, particularly for Vive 1 controllers, making gameplay frustrating for some users.
Graphics are considered basic and not as polished as expected for a VR title.
Some gameplay mechanics, like inventory management and interactions, feel outdated and could use improvement.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The story aspect of the game is described as having many missions and tasks, but players express confusion about the narrative coherence, particularly regarding the role of a single character in the context of a larger Mars survival story. While some appreciate the VR experience and storyline, others find it disjointed and reminiscent of popular films like "Wall-E" and "Oblivion." Overall, the narrative seems to lack clarity and depth, leaving players uncertain about their objectives and the game's context.
- “Great VR and storyline.”
- “Also worth comparing this game to is 'Wall-E' and the movie 'Oblivion' or 'Lego Mars Mission'.”
- “Many missions and tasks.”
- “I'm not sure how a single person, deployed before drones arrive, is supposed to fit into the surviving Mars story.”
- “Not sure what's going on... but the game loads up only for me to not be able to use my Quest 3 controllers.”
- “Steam version does not look very different from the Quest one, which, in its turn, looks as if it was developed with Quest 1 in mind.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The gameplay of the reviewed games is characterized by engaging mechanics that blend base-building, resource management, and exploration, with a casual approach that minimizes micro-management. Players find the gameplay addictive and polished, although one VR title suffers from outdated mechanics. Overall, the experiences range from enjoyable and immersive to frustrating, depending on the game's execution and design choices.
- “This game is awesome once you give it a chance; it's a little quirky at first until you learn the mechanics of the game.”
- “What's most important is that all mechanics feel very polished and, at times, super-addictive.”
- “Depending on your pace, the game has about 15 to 25 hours of gameplay before you start feeling that you've done everything you possibly could here.”
- “The gameplay is 50% base-building and resource management and 50% exploring.”
- “It's worse than point and click actually and puzzling why a VR game in 2025, even in early access, would have this outdated of a VR mechanic for opening a door or a container.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback; while many players appreciate the smooth performance and overall visual quality, some criticize them as basic or lacking in detail. The atmosphere is generally well-received, with comparisons to other titles highlighting a more grounded art style. Overall, the graphics are deemed good enough to enhance the gameplay experience, despite some players wishing for more visual depth.
- “Graphics are great and the game runs smoothly.”
- “I played the game for 4 straight hours; it is addicting and fun. The graphics and sound are done very well, as is the atmosphere.”
- “So far I'm really enjoying this; it's very addicting. The graphics are pretty good (although some things aren't super detailed, but that's okay. Other things are very detailed where it matters. Well done), performance is excellent, and I have yet to see any bugs in my 2.4 hours of gameplay, which is rare these days on release.”
- “The biggest issue this game has is the graphics.”
- “I wish this game delivered more graphical awe but it's just too bare-bones visually.”
- “Cons: not enough VR interactions, simple graphics, bugs (not space bugs?)”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for delivering excellent performance, with users reporting smooth gameplay and high frame rates on capable hardware. While some minor graphical details may lack depth, the focus on a rich, immersive environment is appreciated, and the developers are actively addressing any issues, contributing to a positive experience.
- “Graphics are great and the game runs smoothly.”
- “So far I'm really enjoying this; it's very addictive. The graphics are pretty good (although some things aren't super detailed, but that's okay). Other things are very detailed where it matters. Well done! Performance is excellent and seems to be very balanced. I have yet to see any bugs in my 2.4 hours of gameplay, which is rare these days on release. The developers seem to be on top of updating it already, so maybe that's why.”
- “Pros: good performance, addictive gameplay, bugs and changes being fixed actively.”
- “On my RTX 3080, I was getting a steady 90 FPS... Now people will complain about optimization in Green Hell PCVR, but I'd rather have a dense jungle that is interesting to explore than a steady 90 FPS with a barren Mars that has little to explore.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
Reviewers praise the game's atmosphere for its immersive survival elements and effective use of post-processing, which enhances the overall experience. The interactive controls and engaging gameplay contribute to a sense of fun and addiction, while the stunning visuals, particularly at night, create a captivating Martian environment. Overall, the combination of graphics, sound, and atmospheric details significantly enriches the player's experience.
- “I played the game for 4 straight hours; it is addicting and fun. The graphics and sound are done very well, as is the atmosphere.”
- “At night, the Martian atmosphere thins to nothing, and the Milky Way stretches overhead in all its glittering, cosmic glory.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues with controller functionality, noting that while haptic feedback is present, the thumbsticks and buttons are unresponsive, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. Troubleshooting efforts have not resolved these problems.
- “I have played with Steam input selections and other troubleshooting... the only thing my controllers do is respond to haptics when I reach for the tools at the intro. The controllers jiggle, but thumbsticks and buttons are useless.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing hours of gameplay.”
- “I experienced constant lag and disconnections, which ruined the overall experience and made it frustrating to play.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The music in the game is dynamic and adapts to player actions and locations, enhancing the overall experience while adding an element of challenge. Players appreciate the sound design, which complements the gameplay, and express hope for the inclusion of the original "Surviving Mars" soundtrack, noted as one of the best in gaming.
- “The music is dynamic and changes depending on what you do or where you are going. It doesn't explicitly tell you everything, so it feels both frustrating and rewarding to figure things out. However, there is a current objectives menu that makes the game more streamlined and helps you not get completely stuck; saving often is key.”
- “So far, the music and sounds are perfect for the experience. I'm just hoping eventually I'll get to hear the full Surviving Mars music from the original flat game, as that's some of the best music I've ever heard in a game (fingers crossed lol).”
- “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short period of time.”
- “The sound effects clash with the music, creating a jarring experience that detracts from the overall atmosphere.”
- “The background music is too quiet and often gets drowned out by other sounds, making it hard to appreciate.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat resource-intensive, but manageable if they prioritize upgrading their gear. While some feel that the grinding is not excessive compared to other games, there is a sentiment that it lacks meaningful purpose.
- “While I don't think there's a lot of grinding in the game comparatively speaking, it does feel like there's little purpose to anything.”
- “Somewhat grindy on resources, but if you focus all power on upgrading your gear quickly, you can harvest and haul a lot of it.”