Mars 2120 Review (PlayStation 5)

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Mars 2120 Review, is a Metroidvania with engaging melee combat inspired by classics like Super Metroid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, or Guacamelee! With the use of special abilities tied to elements like ice, fire, and electricity help Sgt. Anna “Thirteen” Charlotte navigates the colony and battles her way through the secrets of Mars.

Mars 2120 Review Pros:

  • Decent graphics.
  • 4.98GB download size.
  • Platinum trophy.
  • You get the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5 versions of the game.
  • Metroidvania action-platformer gameplay.
  • Brief tutorial pop-ups happen after the opening credits.
  • Gameplay settings – contextual reminders, auto aim, laser sight, and screenshake intensity.
  • Controller settings – Invert axis and sensitivity sliders, deadzone slider, vibration intensity slider, and aim assist strength slider.
  • Accessibility options – auto-play audio logs, game time scale slider, Colourblind, map assists, subtitles including font scale and backgrounds, and icon prompt settings for each type.
  • Modifiers – enemy attack damage, player attack damage, no upgrades, free upgrades, reset exp on death, and permadeath.
  • Four save slots.
  • 2.5D game world with 3D back and foregrounds.
  • Twin stick shooting controls but you do have melee, double jump, and rolls.
  • The map uncovers as you explore.
  • EXP earned from activities and killing shows on screen.
  • Find audio logs for the story.
  • Has cool little sequences where the camera pans out to make the game look 3D.
  • A cool-looking location.
  • Has a good opening skit showing the credits as the game loads.
  • Aside from the opening fmv, all cutscenes and character interactions are in-game.
  • Combo counter that even includes each bullet hit.
  • Has a strong Metroid Vibe from the setting to the gameplay loop and characters.
  • Supports playing with the stick and D-pad.
  • Find pods that give new abilities.
  • I like that they have a button that sends you straight down to the ground when jumping, it opens up a lot of movement and tactics for enemies.
  • Save pods can be found.
  • Full 360-degree firing circle.
  • Big boss encounters.
  • It plays like a Metroidvania lite.
  • It’s a game that has potential and is a more chilled-out affair than other titles in the genre.

Mars 2120 Review Cons:

  • Going into control bindings messes the menus up and makes it so you have to reboot the game.
  • Thanks to the above, you cannot remap the controls.
  • Doesn’t tell you if modifiers affect trophies or gameplay.
  • The game just starts, no tutorial or help.
  • Camera cuts are harsh and quick which makes jumps harder and navigation overall is impacted.
  • Shooting is clunky even with auto-aim on, it just never flows or feels right.
  • Enemies can just pop in as you are walking along.
  • The tutorial is way too bare-bones.
  • Wall jumping is not always smooth.
  • Performance issues constantly from frame rate to pop-up and slowdown.
  • When The game saves the screen freezes.

Related Post: Deathcron Review (PlayStation 5)

Mars 2120:

Official website.

Developer: QUByte Interactive

Publisher: QUByte Interactive

Store Links – 

PlayStation

  • 7/10
    Graphics - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Sound - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Accessibility - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Length - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Fun Factor - 7/10
7/10

Summary

Mars 2120 offers a visually appealing experience with decent graphics and a manageable download size of 4.98GB. Players can enjoy both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions, and there’s a coveted Platinum trophy to aim for. The game is a Metroidvania action-platformer, featuring brief tutorial pop-ups after the opening credits. It provides a variety of gameplay settings, including contextual reminders, auto aim, laser sight, and screenshake intensity. Controller settings are comprehensive, with options to invert the axis, adjust sensitivity, deadzone, vibration intensity, and aim assist strength. Accessibility options are also robust, offering features like auto-play audio logs, a game time scale slider, colorblind settings, map assists, and customizable subtitles and icon prompts.

The game includes several modifiers that can adjust enemy and player attack damage, enable or disable upgrades, reset experience on death, and even introduce permadeath. Players have access to four save slots and navigate a 2.5D game world with 3D backgrounds and foregrounds. The twin-stick shooting controls are complemented by melee attacks, double jumps, and rolls, with the map gradually uncovering as you explore. However, accessing control bindings can disrupt the menus, necessitating a game reboot, and control remapping is not possible. Additionally, the game does not clarify if modifiers impact trophies or gameplay.

Mars 2120 starts abruptly without a tutorial, and the camera cuts are harsh and quick, complicating jumps and overall navigation. Shooting feels clunky, even with auto-aim, and enemies can appear unexpectedly. The tutorial is minimal, and wall jumping can be inconsistent. Performance issues are frequent, including frame rate drops, pop-ups, and slowdowns, and the screen freezes when the game saves. On the positive side, experience points earned from activities and combat are displayed on screen, and audio logs contribute to the story. The game features impressive sequences where the camera pans out to create a 3D effect, and the locations are visually appealing. The opening skit is engaging, showing the credits as the game loads, and all cutscenes and character interactions occur in-game.

Mars 2120 has a strong Metroid vibe, from its setting to its gameplay loop and characters. It supports both stick and D-pad controls and includes pods that grant new abilities. A unique button allows players to drop straight to the ground when jumping, adding tactical depth to combat. Save pods are scattered throughout the game, and players can enjoy a full 360-degree firing circle and big boss encounters. While it plays like a Metroidvania lite, Mars 2120 has potential and offers a more relaxed experience compared to other titles in the genre.

In summary, Mars 2120 is a game with both strengths and weaknesses. Its graphics, accessibility options, and Metroidvania elements are commendable, but it suffers from performance issues, clunky controls, and a lack of comprehensive tutorials. Despite these drawbacks, it has potential and provides a more laid-back gaming experience.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!