For those seeking a quick-paced, thrill-packed gaming episode, ACQUIRE Corp.’s recently released real-time RPG, Scars of Mars may just have the elements to tickle your gaming senses. But remember, this truly feels like an express trip to Mars! So, fasten your space-seat belts for an in-depth review by yours truly, SpeedyGamer99.
Overall Impression
At first glance, Scars of Mars delivers an exciting sci-fi adventure. However, its short playtime makes it feel incomplete for many players. While the combat system is thrilling, the limited exploration falls short compared to classic dungeon RPGs like Wizardry. Even so, the game’s real-time battles and quick decision-making offer a fresh challenge.
Gameplay Mechanics
The mix of real-time and turn-based combat creates a unique experience. It may feel overwhelming at first, but once you get used to the controls, the battles become intense and engaging. The ability to upgrade your units at a slower pace balances the game’s otherwise fast nature.
Story and Characters
When it comes to characters and storyline, ‘Scars of Mars’ unfortunately doesn’t hit the mark. The plot is not particularly long-lasting, leaving players yearning for more. As a player, I would have appreciated more opportunities to interact with environment facets, weaving together a stronger narrative through exploration. More character dynamics could provide a much-needed boost in the game’s immersive depth.
Visuals and Graphics
The game doesn’t falter on the visual front, though. The Martian landscape is well rendered and suits the RPG aesthetics. The graphical representation, albeit not at the cutting edge of innovation, delivers a satisfactory punch of Martian experience, playing its part to immerse the players into the extraterrestrial world. Character models are well defined, color palettes utilized are impressive, and combat animations, while fast, are clear and intuitive.
Sound and Music
The sound effects and score have been meticulously composed, adding to the overall intensity of the gameplay. The battle scores particularly stand out, escalating as the real-time fights progress and reach their crescendo. However, we keenly missed the presence of voice acting, which preferably could have brought a sense of personality to the characters.
Challenge
Despite the lack of an extra challenging mode in the game design, Scars of Mars does offer an interesting, tension-filled gameplay with manageable difficulty levels. The replayability value lies mostly in its fast-paced combat that feels new with every fight, though it may not be tempting enough for those seeking a narrative-rich, extensive RPG.
Conclusion
Given the game’s short life span, an asking price of $20 may seem steep to many, echoing the sentiments of some exasperated players. If this factor brings the developer to introduce still more content in future updates, it will unleash many untapped potentials of ‘Scars of Mars.’
Rating
To score ‘Scars of Mars,’ I would allocate a 3 out of 5 stars. The combat system is the highlight, but the lack of exploration and depth holds it back. Still, if you enjoy fast-paced action RPGs, Scars of Mars is worth a try. Hopefully, ACQUIRE Corp. expands the story in future updates.
