Waking Mars

Waking Mars is a gem. A game more concerned about telling a compelling story through an ingenious gameplay mechanic than with flashy graphics and the latest facial capture software is breath of fresh air. Waking Mars focuses on raising Biomass in each level, and there's a minimum amount to bypass the level (as well as a maximum Biomass). There are different endings, and Biomass and certain specific actions undertaken by the player are necessary for the "better" endings. It's a great story, and it shows that human interaction with aliens doesn't have to be at the end of a plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.

I waited to play this little gem for months, gotten in a bundle sale and quickly forgotten. What a surprise it was to play this, from the start the gameplay was fun, simple to understand and use and the story hooked me in. I was worried at first, thinking it was a platformer which I detest, but its more like a flying sim then a platformer and very forgiving. Your character can heal almost everywhere or if in dire straits you can port immediately to a life saving zone. If you die you have to start the immediate level over but death is rare. All very nice. Game autosaves frequently as well, though I was a bit worried there was no option to have a backup save if the auto one got corrupted. The atmosphere drives this game, the voice overs are very good with varied painted face images to give life to them, also well done with enough facial changes to match the text. The robot annoying at first but honestly I laughed out loud at some of its mannerisms, cheerful idiocy combined with robotic intellect. But the most perfect part of the game is the exploration. Never had I played a game that was so relaxing, mesmerizing and satisfying. You get a feel for the vastness of each underground cavern and the constriction of crawling thru tiny gaps to get to the next. Flying is done via jetpack and if I was to say in one word what that is like it would be Hummingbird. So often this game is about hovering till a seed is jettisoned from an organism, and like a hummgbird you hover, dart, swoop, dive, and speed hither and thither, pollinating the world to awake it. Very satisfying. Throughout is a excellent soundtrack, which my partner loved to listen to while he read while I played. Superb game, wish I had played it sooner

This truly is a gem of a game. It is so refreshing to see a game solely based on exploration. The only way this could be improved (to me personally) would be a setting in the Star Trek universe. Every single step you take in the game has an effect on the envrionment. You step into a new cavern that is seemingly dead and suddenly, based on a single interaction, everything springs to life. It is literally puzzle solving in a living, breathing eco system. All this, plus the interaction between explorer, the computer companion and other characters make this very endearing and a unique experience. I also don't know what people's issues are with the game's graphics. It's very fitting. A first grade exploration platformer. Plus, so far, unlimited jetpack!!

I would definitely recommend this game to people who enjoy exploring and are interested in Sci-fi/science. It presents a believable version of Mars, and an interested set of developments. I would caution that some of the elements aren't wholy fool proof, like it is possible to wipe out a species without any clear why of bringing them back (Which can be important in some cases). Also, there is limited replay value as the endings can all be seen with one playthrough. Still a recommend though; I had fun with it, and am glad I played it.

Waking Mars is a cute puzzle solving game with a touch of action. Its well-done and pretty unique. The downsides, its a bit too easy (even on the hardest difficulty). It starts to feel a bit repetitive toward the end (although by that point you will want to see it through). It also doesn't have a lot of replay value. But all-on-all its an enjoyable experience. Far better than games you buy and don't ever get into.