Surviving Mars (2018)
Game Description:
Surviving Mars is a sci-fi city-building game focused on the challenges of colonizing the Red Planet. Released in 2018, players begin by selecting a space agency for initial resources and financial backing. The game involves choosing a suitable location for your colony, constructing domes, and developing infrastructure. Players must research new technologies and manage drones to expand and enhance their settlement. Essential tasks include cultivating food, mining resources, and ensuring the well-being of colonists. The game emphasizes the difficulty of maintaining life on Mars, requiring strategic planning and resource management to keep the colony thriving. Balancing survival with expansion is key to success in this extraterrestrial adventure.
Game Details
Platforms:
Linux, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genres:
Simulator, Strategy
Game Mode(s):
Player Perspective(s):
Developer:
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Publisher:
ESRB Age Rating Summary:
Surviving Mars is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB with Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, and Mild Language. This is a strategy/management game in which players build and manage resources for a colony on Mars. Players mine resources (e.g., fuel, rare metals, water), build dome structures, and manage inhabitants' needs along the way. Characters may die of malnutrition or commit suicide if their “sanity” levels fall too low; this is conveyed mostly through text, as inhabitants are simply depicted collapsing and lying on the ground after death. Players can also construct turrets to defend their bases from rival corporations' attacks; missiles and explosions accompany these brief attack sequences. Colonists have a variety of character traits that affect their productivity, including alcoholism; text briefly references alcohol addiction (e.g., “We all find our own ways to cope with this pressure. Tsvetan Hasanov finds it in the bottle.”). The word "hell" appears in text.
Content Warnings:
Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
Interactive Elements:
In-Game Purchases:
Parental Notes
While many parents praise the gameplay experience, they caution that Surviving Mars may not be suitable for younger kids. The game contains mild language, with the word "hell" appearing in text. Violence is present but not graphic, as characters can die from malnutrition or suicide, depicted through text and simple animations of characters collapsing. The game also includes mature themes such as alcohol addiction, referenced in character traits. Some parents suggest the game is more appropriate for children over 10 due to these elements, despite its strategic and educational aspects.
Positive Notes About The Game From ParentsParents appreciate Surviving Mars for promoting strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. The game encourages players to manage resources and plan effectively to ensure the survival and growth of their colony, offering a calm and educational experience that can be beneficial for older children.
Why Your Kid Might Like Surviving Mars
Surviving Mars offers a unique blend of strategy and creativity that appeals to teens. The challenge of building a sustainable colony on Mars requires strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, which many teens find engaging. The game allows players to experiment with different strategies for resource management and technological advancement, providing a sense of accomplishment when their colony thrives. The sci-fi setting and the realistic portrayal of space colonization add an exciting layer of immersion, making the game both educational and entertaining.
Teens enjoy the freedom to customize their colonies, from the layout of the domes to the management of resources and colonists. The game's open-ended nature encourages exploration and experimentation, allowing players to develop their own unique strategies for success. The use of drones and technology to automate tasks adds a futuristic element that resonates with tech-savvy teens. The game's emphasis on balancing survival with expansion keeps players engaged, as they must constantly adapt to new challenges and opportunities on the Red Planet.