Per Aspera Hands-On Preview
Punch Make Mars Habitable into the Google Search bar, and youll see no shortage of studies, articles and think pieces exploring the possibilities for transforming the Red Planet into a liveable place for future colonies of the human race. For many, the final frontier holds hope, optimism and even the key to eminent success for the long-term survival of humanity. Weve watched dozens of movies and television shows themed around colonizing Mars or other foreign planets. Weve seen Elon Musks face in the media more in the past few years than weve seen our own mothers. Weve also played our fair share of games representing this same conquest, with titles like Surviving Mars, Planetbase, and Oxygen Not Included, to name a few. Tln Industries Per Aspera plans to be the next addition to the world of space colonization games, marrying heavy narrative focus to the likes of Firewatch with classic base building simulation. In an exclusive preview with the developers and a chunk of hands-on time with the demo, I caught a glimpse of what Per Aspera could be in the future.
Per Aspera positions you as the artificial consciousness of AMI, the AI responsible for leading the difficult mission to terraform Mars and prepare it for humanity. In the demo version I received, I was only able to experience an abridged version of the in-game building and simulation elements. I cannot speak to the narrative that will be tied into the full version, nor did I play through any dialogue or story setup whatsoever. I currently have very little concept of the supposed crossover between narrative and simulation genres, but hopefully we will have more to report soon.
Much of the base building is standard practice for games in the genre: You build solar farms to power your facilities, mines to extract natural resources, and factories to refine goods or create worker drones. Additionally, you must place essential buildings and structures such as water extractors, food factories and living quarters to support the humans that will eventually arrive to help research technology and carry out other tasks. None of this will be new to anyone who has played a colony sim before, and Per Asperas humble, top-down resource management formula seems content not to reinvent the wheel. Based on my hands-on experience, I am expecting the narrative component to be the secret spice in the games otherwise conventional sauce.
Because the demo did not feature a tutorial or many helpful explanations outside of an in-menu codex, I found myself confused at many points about managing my resources. On top of the typical and expected struggles of producing enough energy and acquiring enough manpower or, in this case, droidpower to carry out construction projects, I was challenged in simply figuring out where my resources were going and why they were not being applied to my pending buildings. I spent months in the game trying to operate my Maintenance Factory, which relied on Polymer as an input resource. After confirming that my Polymer production was at 100 percent efficiency, clicking around to discover that I had 36 units stockpiled and only my Maintenance Factory creating the demand for Polymer, I was perplexed as to where my Polymer was going and why it was not filtering into the factory. Even after raising the priority of the building, which seemed to be one of the only ways to get anything done in the game, I could not figure out why this was the only resource not automatically transporting to where it was needed. Perhaps this was a bug in the demo, an oversight on my part, or something that would have been explained in a version with a tutorial, but it was far from being the only confusion I encountered when trying to manage my resources and progress with building projects in the game.
While most base building games support the establishment of up to a few hundred buildings, Per Aspera scales up to allow for thousands. Rather than zeroing in on one section of a map, you truly have the entirety of Mars at your disposal. At any point, the camera can be zoomed out far enough to see the planet as a mere globe in the middle of the screen and spun around to view any area on its surface.
One standout thing worth noting is that the games representation of Mars is not an artistic rendition the topology is actually based on real maps generated by NASA, and has been replicated with impressive detail. During the game, you will also encounter rovers and other spacecraft launched in real life that will have landed on the planet by the time the game takes place, such as the Perseverance rover. I applaud the developers ambition to make the players perspective feel as if you are truly looking down on Mars through the window of a space station, and the real-life touches are extremely neat.
Visually, Per Aspera seems polished in its performance. Building placement and camera movement is smooth, scrolling is fast, and there seemed to be no issue with overall choppiness or staggering. The game was developed fully in 4K and the graphics are crisp and clear, though the modest art style leaves little detail to be admired.
Though my gameplay experience was a bit restricted, I was able to ask developer Damin Hernaez about other simulation elements we can expect to see in the final version. Regarding the games humans, we will not see a huge human interest in ways similar to Surviving Mars or Rimworld, where we care about their personalities, needs, happiness or desires. It doesnt seem as though we will be concerned with keeping them entertained or decorating their surroundings to beautify their living spaces. Per Aspera takes a much more macro approach, where the focus is on large scale production and managing supply lines. Though we will interact with the humans throughout the narrative, they will be treated more like resources at least in the beginning.
Based on the games most significant trailer and confirmation from Hernaez, its apparent that conflict will be tied into the gameplay somehow. It doesnt seem as though well see any combat mechanics such as turn-based strategy or horde systems, per se, but it was confirmed that conflict will be a main part of the narrative that will eventually reflect in the gameplay itself. Im curious to see how this will manifest, and look forward to exploring this when the developers feel comfortable releasing more information.
Its difficult to form any definitive expectations or opinions based on the limited look I had at the game, but upon first glance, I am both excited and intrigued to see more. It seems worthy of keeping an eye on for players who love large-scale games with a focus on managing resources and supply chains, but it may be a bit dry for gamers who enjoy giving more of their attention to the wants and needs of the humans in the colony. Simply put, its just not that kind of game. I am interested to see how the narrative will be woven into the game, and am curious about how deep the story will be. Though the artwork doesnt particularly stand out and the building mechanics are pretty cut-and-dried, the scale of the map and the realistic depiction of Mars is impressive. When the time comes, I look forward to continuing my expedition to terraform the Red Planet.
Per Aspera is slated for release later this year.
The rest is here:
Per Aspera is Massive and Its Depiction of Mars is Fantastic - COGconnected
- There Might Be Ocean World Planets Within the Milky Way, Planetary Scientist Claims - Science Times [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2020]
- 10 Worst Movies By Great Horror Directors, According To Rotten Tomatoes - Screen Rant [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2020]
- Space Perspective is a startup that wants to balloon you toward space - Business Insider - Business Insider [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2020]
- Space Outside, Sexism Inside: Mary Robinette Kowals The Relentless Moon - Den of Geek [Last Updated On: July 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 13th, 2020]
- Here are the three missions to Mars that are happening this month - CTV News [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2020]
- My Coronavirus Summer 2020 Reading List - The National Interest [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2020]
- U.A.E. Mars mission from Japan delayed again by weather - CTV News [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2020]
- How Perseverance will Search for Life on Mars - The Planetary Society [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2020]
- Teen's mission to be first person to walk on Mars - WISHTV.com [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2020]
- The Expanse Season 5 Cast, Trailer And What Can We Expect? - World Top Trend [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2020]
- Five Scientific Achievements That Happened During Coronavirus Lockdown - Smithsonian Magazine [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2020]
- UAE Mars mission brings hope amid challenging year - The National [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2020]
- Is there life on Mars? - The Economist [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2020]
- Wilkin: Never a Saratoga opening day like this one - Times Union [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2020]
- Flamingos in Abu Dhabi: are the birds thriving because humans backed off? - The National [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2020]
- 10 things you need to know today: July 20, 2020 - The Week Magazine [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2020]
- Guide to the classics: H.G. Wells' 'The War Of The Worlds' - The Star Online [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2020]
- Colonizing our solar system will make our species very hard to eliminate - The Next Web [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2020]
- Learning From Ben Franklin and Henk Rogers We Could Thrive - Newsmax [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2020]
- Mars Lays Red Carpet: Three Earthly Visitors Take Flight Towards the Red Planet Within 11 Days - The Weather Channel [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2020]
- Alyssa Carson: The teenager on a mission to Mars - Siliconrepublic.com [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2020]
- Elon Musk drops details for SpaceX Mars mega-colony - CNET [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2020]
- Planet Earth Report Global Pandemic is a Hinge in History to Havens for Ancient Alien Life - The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2020]
- Weekly Digest (July 20-24, 2020): Top Weather, Environment and Science Stories of the Week - The Weather Channel [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2020]
- February looks to be exciting month for Mars exploration - The Robesonian [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2020]
- Man wanting to go to Mars isolates for 366 days in tiny home with 5 others as part of study - CBS17.com [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2020]
- Top news of the day: Saifuddin Soz claims he is kept under house arrest without formal orders; Jaya Jaitly gets four years in jail in corruption case... [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2020]
- To Infinity And Beyond - farmingdale-observer.com [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2020]
- Man wanting to go to Mars isolates for 366 days in tiny habitat with 5 others as part of study - CBS17.com [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2020]
- Government moves from one 'emergency' to the next - The Republic [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2020]
- NASA To Use Nuclear Power Can Help Colonize Moon And Mars. Is It Worth It? - Inventiva [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2020]
- Elon Musk selling LA homes and dreams of move to 'self-sustaining' Mars colony - Daily Star [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2020]
- Nuclear power plants could power colonies on the Moon and Mars - SlashGear [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2020]
- To infinity and beyond: Sex dolls in space could be a reality for Mars 2024 mission - IOL [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2020]
- A Space Alliance Between the Quads: The United States, Japan, Australia, and India - International Policy Digest [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2020]
- Suncream made of skin pigment will help shield astronauts from lethal x-ray radiation, scientists suggest - The Independent [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2020]
- How to Feed a Mars Colony of 1 Million People | Space [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2020]
- Mars Colony: Frontier on Steam [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2020]
- At Night, the Martian Sky Pulses and Glows When Viewed in Ultraviolet Light - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2020]
- From emperor penguins to 96-year-old graduates, here's the good news this week - iNews [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2020]
- At Night, the Martian Sky Pulses and Glows When Viewed in Ultraviolet Light - Gizmodo UK [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2020]
- UAE Hopes to Inspire Next Generation with Arab World's First Mission to Mars - The Washington Diplomat [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2020]
- Life on Mars: Lava tubes could be key to Mars colony - 'Extraordinary for settlement' - Daily Express [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2020]
- At Night, the Martian Sky Pulses and Glows When Viewed in Ultraviolet Light - Gizmodo Australia [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- Lovecraft Country and HP Lovecraft's racism: how the HBO series and the novel it's based on reappropriate the author's work. - Slate [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- Creating your own video games isnt impossible this training can get you on the path - Boing Boing [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- 9 Ways To Spend A Beautiful Fall Weekend In Flagstaff - TravelAwaits [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- Learn How To Build Your Own Strategy Based Video Game With These Online Classes - ExtremeTech [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- Life on Mars: Scientists identify the 'extraordinary' key to colonising Mars - Daily Express [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- All the Reasons Why Humans Shouldn't Colonize Mars ... [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- Five steps to colonising Mars - BBC Future [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- Goodbye Mars One, The Fake Mission To Mars That Fooled The ... [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- How Do We Colonize Mars? - Universe Today [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2020]
- VIDEO: Stray Cats Spotted at EPCOT - Inside the Magic [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2020]
- Expanse: The Real-Life Inspirations Behind The Belters - Screen Rant [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2020]
- Elon Musk and SpaceX's Mars mission may be difficult - Somag News [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2020]
- Forget Mars, humans should head to Venus and live in the clouds - scientist - Daily Express [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2020]
- Is now the time to explore the final frontier of investing? - The National [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2020]
- #SpaceWatchGL Column: The hell of humans in heaven - Debating the risks of space technology and habitation - SpaceWatch.Global [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2020]
- Mohammed bin Rashid announces second satellite to be built by an all-Emirati team - WAM EN [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2020]
- There's water on the moon's sunlit surface. Colonization could be on the horizon. - News@Northeastern [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2020]
- The five biggest effects Trump has had on the US space program - MIT Technology Review [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2020]
- Elon Musks SpaceX will make its own laws on Mars - The Independent [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2020]
- Civilization 6: How to Win as Babylon (Tips, Tricks, & Strategies) - Screen Rant [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2020]
- The Midnight Sky ending explained - what happened to Earth? - digitalspy.com [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2020]
- Balkan mystic predicts world will see 'cataclysms and disasters' - Metro.co.uk [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2020]
- For NASA, It Should Be Mars or Bust - The Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2020]
- How AI Will Help the U.S. to Mars and Beyond - Nextgov [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2020]
- Chimpanzees are important and accomplished tracing the path to space - Amico Hoops [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2021]
- Team Behind Space Probe Headed To Mars Includes Staff From CU Boulder - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2021]
- How Elon Musk And A Mission To Mars Might Boost Internet Speeds In Rural Kansas - KCUR [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2021]
- Advice From Tesla's Elon Musk: Forget The Money, Ignore Critics, Think Big - InsideEVs [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2021]
- Newly Invented Fusion Rocket Thruster Concept Might be Our Ticket to Mars and Beyond! - Tech Times [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2021]
- NASA and CSA Will Give $500,000 To The Best Idea of Food Production In Space - Science Times [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2021]
- Jeff Bezos Renews Focus on Blue Origin, Which Has Been Slower to Launch - The New York Times [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2021]
- Opinion | Why Biden must pursue space diplomacy with Russia and China - Politico [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2021]
- "The Expanse" shows the dangers of treating extremism as a joke - Salon [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2021]
- End of the world: Elon Musk warns of 'civilisation collapse' if we don't leave Earth soon - Daily Express [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2021]
- Elon Musk opens up about Mars, Gamestop and Dogecoin | Heres everything he said - Republic World [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2021]
- Crayolas sprawling new exhibit launches at Franklin Institute with creativity on the brain (PHOTOS) - lehighvalleylive.com [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2021]