Mars Horizon

Mars Horizon

Released Nov 2020

Lead a major space agency as you guide humanity to Mars in this strategy simulation game. Construct a base, design and build rockets, conduct missions throughout the Solar System, and write your own history of Space exploration. Created with support from the European Space Agency.

84% positive · 3,070 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to buy

Steam $19.99
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Evaluation

Mars Horizon launched on November 17, 2020 and received two major free content updates post-launch: the "Expanded Horizons" update on June 22, 2021 (adding new missions, Sandbox Mode, Iron Core Mode, and reusable vehicles) and the "Daring Expeditions" update on January 11, 2022 (adding new missions, flags, and Spacepedia content). After Daring Expeditions, developer communications for the original game went quiet. By March 2023, Auroch Digital announced they had shifted focus to a sequel — Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life — with a September 2025 post confirming a demo was available and a 2026 release window for the sequel. There have been no announcements of additional content, patches, or updates for the original Mars Horizon since January 2022. The developer's attention has clearly transitioned to Mars Horizon 2. The original game appears to be a completed product, with its last content update shipping on January 11, 2022.
Evidence
Auroch Digital announced Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life, signalling the studio's focus had shifted to a sequel rather than continued updates to the original game.
news post · Mar 7, 2023 source development ending
high
Daring Expeditions update launched, adding new missions (Space Tourist, Zhurong Rover, Rosetta/Philae), new flags, and bug fixes — the last major content update for Mars Horizon.
news post · Jan 11, 2022 source content shipped
high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Released
Nov 2020

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Auroch Digital
Achievements
71
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

In Mars Horizon, you take control of a major space agency, leading it from the dawn of the space age through to landing astronauts on Mars. Guide your agency through the space race and write your alternate history of space travel - any of the agencies can be the first to land on The Moon if you make the right choices. Manage the numerous challenges faced then and now:

  • Create your own space agency and base with launch pads, research labs, astronaut training facilities, and much more

  • Construct custom vehicles from hundreds of combinations

  • Launch satellites and crewed spacecraft to explore the Solar System

  • Run mission control as you solve the various challenges of turn-based missions to earn scientific advancement and public support

  • Recreate famous missions conducted by NASA, ESA and CNSA - including the Perseverance Rover, Ingenuity Helicopter, Zhurong Rover and Rosetta space probe missions.

  • Explore an extensive tech tree and compete or collaborate with other agencies to plot your roadmap to Mars

  • Choose from five unique space agencies, each with their own traits, base, vehicles, and spacecraft

  • Build with unlimited freedom in a fully-customisable Sandbox Mode

You’re in charge of every element of the journey into space: success rides on your decisions.

Will you push to stay ahead of the other agencies, or focus on testing and research? There are multiple ways to ensure the first person on Mars is under your command. Every choice matters: will you invest in the most advanced technology or take risks in the rush to the red planet?

Using actual events and missions as inspiration, can you handle the challenges faced by real space agencies?

Management is a vital aspect of Mars Horizon. You'll need to design and build the right spacecraft, hire and train the crew, and make strategic decisions as mission control to survive the journey to Mars.

Enter into diplomatic partnerships with other agencies to share the rewards of space exploration, or risk going it alone to gain greater prestige. Construct the ideal rocket from historically-inspired vehicle parts. Hire contractors to construct vehicles and use their unique benefits to gain a key edge over your competitors.

Launching a payload into space is only the first step. In assuming the role of Flight Director of mission control, you'll need to manage your spacecraft's resources and solve strategic challenges in turn-based missions in order to succeed. But beware: space is a very unforgiving environment.

These are the critical moment-to-moment decisions of mission control; do you spend power to fix a malfunctioning antenna or save it in case of an oxygen leak? Perhaps risking that extra three months of mission planning could have avoided this issue?

Mars Horizon has been made with the input and support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency.

We’ve collaborated with numerous experts in space exploration from the ESA in creating Mars Horizon. From engineers developing the technology used in Mars programmes, to those designing the next generation of missions, bringing an unprecedented level of authenticity, realism and legitimacy to the gameplay and its scenarios.

Dig deeper into the game via our podcast, including discussions with staff from the European Space Agency and UK Space Agency. Check out the podcast in the Steam forums or the main site.

Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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