Mus has been playing video games for more decades than he cares to admit. He likes writing about said video games and also tends to refer to himself in the third person.
Red Planet, Red Alert
The Martian frontier has always held a tantalising allure, a promise of discovery and adventure. MARS 2120 is a solo sci-fi Metroidvania that realises said alluring features, inviting players to delve into this crimson expanse – but with a twist. You awake alone on a desolate, alien world, the remnants of a once-thriving colony scattered like discarded toys. As you explore further, you uncover the secrets of what truly happened. So is this sci-fi adventure a giant leap for gaming, or just one small step for the genre?
A Martian Odyssey
MARS 2120 is a meticulously crafted Metroidvania experience that blends exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving into a captivating journey through a desolate alien world. The narrative unfolds gradually, whispered through environmental storytelling and cryptic logs which are found scattered throughout the grim environments. With this information, players are encouraged to piece together the colony’s tragic history, like an overarching puzzle of sorts.
Suit up for Survival
MARS 2120 boasts a solid foundation of core mechanics. Movement is fluid and responsive, and the controls are intuitive.
Combat is at the heart of MARS 2120 and is a core pillar of the experience, with players engaging in battles against a range of human foes and alien creatures alike.
The combat system is responsive, allowing for a satisfying blend of precision and aggression. Enemy AI can occasionally be inconsistent, with some foes exhibiting intelligent tactics while others seeming like they can’t wait to die. For the most part, however, enemies tend to fight as you would expect so this isn’t too much of a big deal overall.
Bosses are varied and well-implemented, each looking amazing in their own way and with their own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Each boss requires a particular approach to be adopted in order to defeat them. Using the same approach for every boss will not work and will almost certainly result in your untimely demise!
There is an option to switch between several weapon and ability loadouts at the press of a button, and these transitions all feel smooth and natural. There is also a helpful visual aid that uses colours which allows you to see at-a-glance precisely which loadout you have active by simply looking at your character.
The map system is generally helpful, though a more detailed exploration tracker would have been a welcome addition.
Fast travel between discovered locations is a time-saving feature, but it requires you to keep track of (and recall) everywhere you have been before, which is difficult at first!
On the other hand, fast travel occurs via the use of a tram which, for some reason, feels awesome to use. Perhaps it’s the idea of using an empty tram to traverse an alien world at immense speed, or maybe the way it swoops into the “station” each time – who knows?
The game’s level design, however, is its standout feature. Each area is a labyrinth of interconnected spaces, filled with hidden paths and secrets. Levels are wildly varied in the best possible way, each one a work of art in its own right. The sense of discovery is palpable, and players are constantly rewarded for their curiosity. However, the game can occasionally suffer from unclear objectives, leaving players wandering aimlessly for some time.
It also seems that enemies tend to occasionally respawn, meaning that you will have to battle the same enemies at the same locations each time you pass back through them. Overall, however, this wasn’t much of a hindrance and didn’t detract much from the overall experience.
The progression system, reminiscent of classic Metroidvanias, is well-implemented, granting players new abilities that open up previously inaccessible areas. This encourages exploration and rewards curiosity. Yet, the game’s difficulty curve is uneven, with some encounters occasionally feeling unfairly challenging.
Martian Atmosphere
MARS 2120 is visually striking and expertly balances familiar Metroidvania tropes with innovative sci-fi elements. The environments are truly impressive, capturing the desolate beauty of the Martian landscape with striking detail whilst possessing an overall air of gloom and despair. The lighting and atmospheric effects contribute to the game’s immersive quality, simultaneously creating a sense of isolation, wonder and danger.
The audio design is another area where MARS 2120 truly shines. The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere, and the sound effects are crisp and immersive. The ambient sounds of the Martian environment contribute significantly to the game’s overall experience. This may sound strange, but it is also quiet in all the right places, using the emphasis on silence to build tension and atmosphere further.
Return to the Red Planet
MARS 2120 offers decent replay value, encouraging exploration with multiple endings, hidden areas, and collectables scattered throughout its expansive world. Uncovering the game’s secrets and experiencing different narrative outcomes can be rewarding for those seeking additional challenges.
However, the lack of significant post-game content may limit the game’s long-term appeal for some players. While the core gameplay loop is engaging, the absence of substantial new content or progression systems after completing the main story could leave players yearning for more.
Conclusion
MARS 2120 is an ambitious Metroidvania that offers a captivating exploration experience with a well-implemented sci-fi twist. Its strengths lie in its atmospheric exploration, varied and engaging combat, excellent sound design and impressive visuals. It excels at creating a haunting atmosphere, immersing players in a desolate Martian colony filled with mystery. The world is rich in detail, and environmental storytelling effectively unravels the colony’s tragic past. However, while the atmosphere is captivating, deeper lore and backstory would enhance the overall experience even further. While it offers a satisfying journey for fans of the genre, it may struggle to capture the hearts of a wider audience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Immersive atmosphere.
- Engaging combat.
- Enemies are varied and interesting.
- Bosses are HUGE!
- Rewarding exploration.
- Detailed level design.
- Excellent audio design.
Cons
- Limited replay value.
- Inconsistent difficulty.
- Occasional inconsistent enemy AI.
Grade: 8/10
Mus has been playing video games for more decades than he cares to admit. He likes writing about said video games and also tends to refer to himself in the third person.