Waking Mars

I have this game for my iPad and it is a lot of fun. It does crash a lot on my iPad so I am planning on grabbing this version to play in a more stable computer environment (in hopes of it running better.) This game really makes me think of the old C64/ZX Spectrum classic, Exile, which I still play occasionally on my Commodore 128. If you were a fan of that game or just enjoy 2D exploration games, this is well worth checking out. My rating at this time is based on the iPad version that I have played (it only loses a star because of stability issues,) but I will come and make necessary changes to my post and rating once I've played the PC version. Also if you are worried about this game originating from a mobile version, rest assured that this is very much a traditional style computer action/adventure game, none of that one button tapping or freemium smart phone crap here.

I really liked the story and characters, and the creature designs were pretty cool, too. I played it for a few hours when I first got it, and eventually I got stuck. I picked the game up a couple years later and, within a few more hours, I beat it. It's not a terribly long game, nor does it have high production value, but it was fun and I enjoyed it, although it seems that I need a break every few hours of playing it.

This game isn't perfect. The "what to do next" part of the game isn't always clear, and I got stuck at one point when I couldn't figure out where I was supposed to go to cue the final end scene. It's also possible (and happened to me) to accidentally kill off all the plants you need to continue the game and have to start over from the beginning. That being said, I had fun playing this game, and I loved the story and the imagination behind it. I definitely got lost in this game for hours on end--in fact, I wish it had been even longer. I would play this game again, only because it's so much fun bioengineering stuff.

What's old is new again. The game is short(ish), and simple, though that doesn't dismiss the amount of work you'll have to do to get 100%. Makes you think about ecosystems and has interesting protagonists. Most of all, the game engages the imagination and delivers on exploration and basic systematic puzzle-solving.

I gotta say, this is a unique, beautiful(the graphics/atmosphere are much nicer than in the pics and vids) and, as someone said earlier, game with a soul. Voice acting, realistic portraits, funny at times, interesting story...and most of all, no frustration from dying or useless travelling. What you do get out of the game is an excitement about learning how this immersive ecosystem works, a chilled back, wonderful experience provided by the landscape and the music. If I were to go into comparisons of which I know nothing, I would say that this game is like sipping a Mojito in Bali. A must try.