MARS 2120, an ambitious new title developed by QUByte Interactive, takes players on a journey to the first human colony on Mars, combining classic Metroidvania elements with modern gameplay mechanics. Following the story of Sgt. Anna “Thirteen” Charlotte, players explore a Martian colony filled with secrets, dangers, and plenty of mystery. We checked it out on a PlayStation 5.
The narrative of MARS 2120 is engaging, but also surprisingly reflective, posing philosophical questions about humanity’s desire for space exploration and what happens when those dreams turn into nightmares. As Sgt. Anna Charlotte, you navigate through various environments on Mars, uncovering the story through exploration and combat. The premise is intriguing and provides a strong foundation for the game’s exploration and combat mechanics.
Gameplay in MARS 2120 is where the game shines the most, and the developers are clear about what they were inspired by. Drawing parallels to classics like Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, it offers a robust mix of melee and ranged combat. The controls are intuitive, allowing for fluid movement and satisfying combat sequences. Players can perform combos by mixing different types of attacks and utilizing special moves, which are tied to elements like ice, fire, and electricity. Mixing these up keeps the combat fresh and encourages strategic thinking, especially during the game’s more challenging battles against deadly robots and colossal monsters.
Exploration is another important aspect of MARS 2120. The game’s Martian colony is well designed, with interconnected biomes that are rich in detail and filled with secrets to discover. The sense of progression is well-paced, as you gradually find upgrades and new skills that help you enhance your abilities and, with those, open up previously inaccessible areas. This is obviously a Metroidvania staple, but it’s been executed well, giving a rewarding sense of discovery and achievement as you delve deeper into the colony’s mysteries.
Visually, MARS 2120 impresses with its detailed environments and atmospheric design. The Martian landscapes are brought to life with intricate details, creating a visually immersive experience. The sound design complements the visuals, with a soundtrack that enhances the game’s eerie and mysterious atmosphere while the audio cues are effective during combat and exploration, adding to the overall immersion.
However, MARS 2120 also has a few rather frustrating difficulty spikes in certain sections, disrupting the otherwise smooth pacing of the game. This is an area that could have used a bit more polish, which is also true for how (not) fleshed out the main character is. For sure, there is some unrealized potential here.
In conclusion, MARS 2120 is an interesting Metroidvania that successfully blends classic gameplay elements with modern enhancements. Its engaging narrative, solid combat mechanics, and detailed environments make it worth playing for fans of the genre, despite some its minor flaws and lack of polish that keep this one from scoring at least half a point higher.
Score: 6.7/10
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