➤ Mars First Logistics, the review of a game for creative and patient people set on Mars 🕹

Here you have our review of Mars First Logistics, a game that combines typical LEGO creativity and the need to move packages like in Death Stranding.

If you think about space exploration in video games, what comes to mind? The infinite planets of No Man's Sky? The epic plots of Mass Effect? Or maybe you already dream of adventures in Starfield with battles and customization of your hero? Good. Delete everything, because here you have to move a ladder and - believe me - it is more interesting than it seems.

Let's talk about Mars First Logistics, the game of Shape Store It will arrive on PC on June 22, 2023 and of which we had already offered you our test at the beginning of the year. Controlling a rover on Mars you will have to move a variety of objects from one point to another on the Red Planet and thus create a series of Martian bases for astronauts. To know all the details about this new sandbox adventure, continue reading ours. Mars First Logistics Review.

LEGO but not really

Mars First Logistics, the review of a game for creative and patient people set on Mars — The Mars First Logistics idea is simple: lift, move, deliver

The idea is very simple, especially on paper. We have a set of parts and we have to create a mobile vehicle which is capable not only of moving on the red soil of Mars, but also of grabbing and transporting various objects. We're talking metal beams, satellite dishes, beach balls, a basket of oranges, a bag with a goldfish inside, and more. The “what” is very important, because grabbing an oxygen tank is not like picking up a robotic turtle.

we will have it available extendable pistons, motors to rotate, various types of hooks, pliers and more, without forgetting the connecting parts and normal wheels. With a simple-to-use editor we will have to create the rover, making sure that it is capable of picking up the object of the moment, but also retaining it throughout the trip. In addition, in general it is also important that the vehicle is balanced and has motive power to move its own weight. It's actually not too difficult a task and Mars First Logistics is very well calibrated in terms of its difficulty curve.

First, Mars First Logistics never wants to seriously punish the player. Items do not break, for example, and you can restart the mission at any time, in the rare case that you end up at a point from which it is impossible to recover the transported product. Additionally, when a particularly new challenge is proposed, the game has probably provided new parts and a ready-made rover model through the previous mission that is used to solve the new objective. This shows how to use the new tools available.

Furthermore, the adventure is divided into main missions Side events (longer and more complex) and simpler ones that, however, allow you to obtain currency and some additional pieces. These non-compulsory quests change from time to time so you don't run the risk of getting stuck on some that are too complex for you. This is important because on several occasions we may find ourselves in need of currency, necessary to acquire new copies of the different parts of the rover. Some engineering ideas were quite brilliant, but very elaborate, so the side quests, in addition to taking a break from the longer challenges, secured the funds necessary to advance.

However, the most important thing is that there is never just one correct solution. There is a better, faster and more profitable method, but no one stops us from creating the most absurd and uncomfortable rover in the world: if our idea convinces us and we manage to get the package to its destination, that's all. good. The consequence is that we will feel stimulated on a creative level and in the end always satisfied because we did it with our own strength. Let us add then that nothing prevents us from starting the mission in one way and, having reached an obstacle that we cannot overcome with our configuration, changing rovers, taking the object and starting again. We once completed a section full of dunes by basically pushing the object, because we felt like doing it and because it was faster than finding a way to pick it up while it was tilted.

In terms of variety, Mars First Logistics offers more or less always the same experience from the first to the last second, but at least the new parts unlocked change the way rovers are created and the first prototypes will become children's toys in the advanced stages. It's also worth noting that Mars First Logistics is a slow-paced game: creating a rover is easy, but an idea rarely works the first time and you always have to make adjustments. It is not unusual to spend at least 10 or 15 minutes testing before moving the object even a meter. The journeys themselves last a good handful of minutes and sometimes it is more about understanding which is the best route to avoid getting stuck. If you are in a hurry and want to have everything resolved in a few moments, Mars First Logistics may not be for you.

Mars, progression and future.

However, so far we have not specified any details, which may be important for some. Why do we need to move packages around Mars? Mars First Logistic doesn't really have a plot. It has more of a progression, based on the fact that with each package delivered we create some structure, such as a greenhouse, a resort, a Rover League Battle Arena (the reference is obvious) and more. In reality, these places are useless, but at least they give the impression that the Martian mission is working.

Furthermore, we don't have to count on having a real world to explore. To go further it is necessary to occasionally reach radio towers that increase the signal and in practice unlock parts of the map, but serve more as reference points to understand which directions to go and thus activate new places for the missions. around the landscape no items to find or in-game events. The lands of Mars only serve to complicate your life (in a positive sense) and push you to create rovers capable of navigating steep dunes, rocky areas and more.

Mars is also quite repetitive on a visual level: it's a desert land and there's not much you can do to create variety. At least the night/day cycle is used to change the colors of the sky (obviously) and the sand, which continues to go from red to orange and violet. The graphic style, beyond the limits imposed by the planet, is very pleasant and always legible. The soundtrack isn't very varied either, with a handful of pleasant pieces of music that kick in when the game understands that you don't have any special challenge. In the most elaborate moments, however, silence reigns: the use of a dynamic system It's a great choice. The sound effects of the rover's various moving parts are also very good.

Finally, we highlight that the developers propose Mars First Logistics as a game in Early access. The pack feels like it's already complete in terms of mechanics and content, but the team wants to continue introducing other areas and activities for free, so you can expect long-term support (they're talking about a year to get to the version 1.0). , which would also include procedurally generated content). What matters is that Mars First Logistics is already optimized, so don't be afraid of running into a game with bugs (except for the fact that it doesn't unlock Achievements, at least before launch) or performance issues. Finally, we highlight the presence of a cooperative mode for up to four players. There is no matchmaking and it is only possible to invite someone from your friends list and therefore we were not able to test it, but on paper we think it is something very interesting, which greatly expands the creative possibilities.

Conclusions

Tested version PC with Windows digital delivery Steam Holygamerz.com 8.5 Readers (1) 2.1 your vote

Mars First Logistics is a game with a clear idea and implements it very well. It is designed for those who love to create, for those who are patient and don't mind embarking on a slow-paced adventure. There is no plot and there is nothing to discover about Mars other than our own engineering limitations. It is never too complex or too easy, although it is also never very varied since you "simply" have to lift and move from start to finish. Its early access nature also promises to expand an already adequate content package. If it intrigues you, chances are you won't be disappointed.