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2013 · Bohemia Interactive · Science · Simulation

Take On Mars

Explore the rocky terrain and sandy wastes of Mars in this brand new installment to the Take On series. Developed by the creators of the award-winning Arma series and DayZ, Take On Mars places you right in the middle of mankind's most exciting undertaking. Start out in the seat of a rover operator, pushing your vehicles to the max. Finish as the first human to have ever set foot on Mars. With a scientific arsenal at your disposal, you will pioneer the exploration of another planet, unlocking the secrets of Mars’ distant past.

Released: 1 August 2013
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Science Simulation
Developers: Bohemia Interactive
Publishers: Bohemia Interactive
Series: Take On
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Themes: Science fiction
Engine: Enforce
Country: Czech Republic
Languages: English
Time to beat: 30hmain story63hcompletionist

About

Take On Mars is a simulation video game for Windows, developed by Bohemia Interactive. The game was announced at E3 2013 and released in its alpha version on 1 August of that year. It is the second installment in the Take On series after Take On Helicopters. The user assumes control of a rover or lander in order to explore Mars.

The spacecraft can be equipped with scientific instruments by the player in order to study the Martian surface and complete objectives. The game includes seven destinations for the player to visit: Asteroid Belt, Deimos moon, Gale crater, Kaiser crater, Lyot crater, Ptolemaeus crater, and Victoria crater; with Mars Yard located on earth as a testing ground.

Players say

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The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

In Take On Mars, the player operates a variety of Mars landers and rovers. The functions of the space vehicles are not fully accurate in order to make the simulation more accessible. The speed of the rovers is increased along with their instruments. Unlike actual Mars exploration vehicles, the in-game spacecraft are controlled in real time: rather than planning a Martian spacecraft's tasks for the day, the player directly operates its instruments.

Functions that a user must perform include driving to new destinations, imaging terrain, and collecting samples. Multiple science instruments are unlocked by the player in order to study Mars and complete mission objectives. Many landings are required to complete all missions for any given location. Each spacecraft carries a relevant suite of instruments designed to complete its assigned objectives.

Story

The first chapter of TKOM begins in the current year the player is playing in. The player takes on the role of a rover operator, exploring the vast wastes of the Martian surface and pushing their rovers, landers and probes to their limits to complete a set of science tasks. Along the way, the player will need to research new technologies in order to progress through the campaign. After they complete chapter 1, they can do chapter 2.

The story of chapter 2 is inspired by Andy Weir's The Martian.

Development

The early access phase of Take On Mars allows users to help Bohemia Interactive create new content and fix many bugs the users spot. They have implemented the Mantis Bug Tracker for users to effectively report issues to the developers. They have added many new missions, since the launch of the game on August 1, 2013.

A patch released on October 3, 2013 included a workbench suite for mod-makers. Added locations Deimos moon and Asteroid Belt. It will also include Dynamic Mission Generation of every task types (e.g. photo, exploration and analysis). Weather will also make its way into the game with sandstorms, strong winds, and dust devils.

Reception

IGN stated that this game will be boring for most gamers, but for a select few it would be something "nerds have been waiting for". It seems to be a great balance between science and the fun of playing a sim. IGN awarded the game by IGN's Best of PC Award in category Best New PC Game.