Where is the focus of this game now?

[Herbert West]

Back when it came out, the only good part of Surviving Mars was early game. That actually felt like being a resource-limited operation that needs to optimise to get your first domeful of people in. It felt like being a pioneer.

The whole city-building aspect takes away from the USP, and becomes just another city builder.

Or at least, that's how I felt back at release.

So, where is the game now? What is its focus? Is it the early struggle, or more tat for sprawling dome cities?

 

[Zemurin]

The new DLC brought in some options regarding rival colonies, which after playing 20 runs - IMHO - are best left alone, the entire aspect of espionage ignored, and play as before. Barring something revolutionary like a Terraforming->Dome Free gameplay DLC in the future, I don't think the core game has changed.

 

[Renver]

Yep, right now there is a lot of "small" changes of game.
When the game was released, it had a lot of bugs, right now, it has less of them, but in general, bad-mechanic-bugs, are still there, like job assignment, dome living. But the game goes forward, now You can connect domes via passages (which created new paradoxes with people on Mars but don't say that loud), the system in which concrete mines works differently (for worst), now rovers can work automatic (when discovered). Some time ago, there was an DLC for Surviving Mars, but it doesn't make revolution, just cosmetic things which could be fully ignored by You and still played that same game. There are rival colonies, but You don't see them, they just scripts, and you really can't do nothing with them, which could be "real" diplomacy. And also there are a lot of UI changes, some of them better, some worst - developers, just thought that they have to sell us new "Command Center Menu", which makes you have to play in "clicking, filtering and scrolling - mini game" just to see summary of anything you want, ofc with deleted of Summary which one was on right click mouse button. In reminder, there are some "events" starts randomly (being triggered by some things) not related to your Mystery, but they are too rarely. In summary, the game is boring, as it was, and the best thing is just start of the game (to ~40-50 sol). I said that with 100% neutral feelings, because besides of that, that I am a big fan of SM, I'm not blind. On the other hand, new DLC, has came with a big differential of game sponsor, added a lot of variety, new vehicles and buildings, but still I need something for late game - there is no "Game Over", end game mechanics. But I persuade myself, that new DLC, Green Planet will be an milestone changing game.

Added: Besides that, I am 100% sure, that a game like this is unique, any other could not be even close to that satisfy gameplay, setting and style. We have to focus ourselves to make this game better and better, fix bugs and develop new ideas. We also have to help developers, because this game is awesome concept, I have a big trust in it and I don't want for it to be ruined or abandoned.