Surviving Mars may have launched back in March but today sees its’ first DLC release, taking inspiration from the Cold War-era – specifically the Space Race between the US and the USSR.
The Space Race keeps the same strategy-styled gameplay that we found in the base game, but adds a competitive spin to it. Players can now try and survive Mars against rival colonies with the introduction of this DLC, each settlement competing against each other for milestones and resources.
Of course, each settlement does not have to be a rival, you can form alliances that can be as fragile as you like, by supporting trade routes and answering distress beacons. Likewise, if a colony has a colonist you like the look of, you can try and recruit them into your own settlement.
For all this though, you will need money, and money from Surviving Mars comes from sponsors. Each sponsor now has a unique vehicle and building so you can show your support when facing rival colonies. Also, Japan and Brazil have been added as sponsors, each with their own mission parameters.
Away from the competitive side, Space Race also includes a new radio station – the £3.19 Marsvision Song Contest – featuring tracks from each of the sponsor countries. Plus, the Colony Design Set for £3.99 which brings another 25 brand new buildings are added to keep your colony one step ahead of your competitors.
The Space Race DLC is available to download now as part of the Surviving Mars Season Pass priced at £27.99, or individually priced at £10.39.
Failing all that, the Space Race Plus pack will set you back £15.99, but does bring all three of those new packs together as one.
If you have yet to make your mind up, check out our review of the base game here, or stay tuned for our thoughts regarding the new DLC – they will be coming soon.
Are you looking forward to returning to Mars or have yet to step foot on the red planet? Let us know in the comments below!
DLC Description:
Citizens unite! The race to stake your place in space has begun. Surviving Mars: Space Race, the first major expansion from the survival management game Surviving Mars, is blasting off with a focus on mission sponsors and rival colonies. Pitting Earth’s greatest countries and most powerful companies against each other, Space Race encourages players to choose their sponsor wisely as each has its own benefits and objectives, and other colonies are competing for the limited resources on the red planet. ・A Challenger Appears: Compete for milestones, already limited resources, and anomalies with several other AI colonies backed by rival sponsors attempting to set roots on Mars and vie to become this planet’s superpower. You can trade with, respond to distress calls for, issue distress calls to, and even steal important colonists from these competitor colonies as you establish your territory on Mars. ・New Money, New Problems: Meet two new players in the fight for the final frontier. Japan and Brazil are now available as brand new mission sponsors and are ready to move heaven and Mars to make their mark! ・Earth to Mars, repeat, Earth to Mars: No matter how deep in space you go, you gotta follow the money. Each sponsor comes with its own sets of Challenges to complete as you further their individual goals for colonization. ・Represent the Home Team: Each sponsor has their own unique vehicle and building that only their colonies can construct and take advantage of in their mission. Express the individuality of your space-faring conglomerate inside and out of your domes. ・Expect the Unexpected: Experience narrative events throughout your colonization process that help reveal the realities of life in the dome and challenge your management skills.
