Waking Mars

Released Dec 2012

In 2097, life is discovered on Mars. When your mission of first contact becomes trapped by a cave-in, you must master the alien ecosystem to survive. Soon you stumble upon more than anyone expected, and with time running out, you will make a decision that determines the fate of a lost planet.

88% positive · 1,200 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $9.99

Can't confirm — worth a look

We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.

Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search

Prices in USD, as listed by each store.

Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site

Evaluation

Waking Mars launched on December 13, 2012 as a complete, self-contained narrative adventure. The only post-launch content is a standalone soundtrack DLC, which is supplemental and not gameplay content. The sole developer news post on the game's Steam page (August 4, 2015) is an announcement for Tiger Style's next game, Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon — the post explicitly frames it as "what we've been laboring on for the years since Waking Mars was released," confirming the studio had fully moved on from Waking Mars by that point. There is no roadmap, no announced DLC, no unreleased content, and no post-launch gameplay updates of any kind. The store description presents the game as a complete, finished experience with a defined beginning and end. This game shipped as a finished product and has received no content additions beyond the soundtrack.

Evidence

Tiger Style announced their next game, Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon, describing it as what they had been working on 'for the years since Waking Mars was released' — confirming the studio had moved on from Waking Mars.

news post · Aug 4, 2015 source development ending

high

Store description presents Waking Mars as a complete, self-contained narrative adventure with a defined story and no mention of post-launch content or ongoing updates.

description source development ending

medium

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Released

Waking Mars - Soundtrack

—

Media

Details

Developer

Tiger Style

Publisher

Tiger Style

Achievements

Platform

Windows, macOS, Linux

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player

Sci-fi Adventure Indie Exploration Platformer Puzzle Action Atmospheric Metroidvania Story Rich Mars 2D Multiple Endings Nature Side Scroller

About this game

Waking Mars is a one-of-a-kind adventure in which you jetpack through subterranean Mars encountering a host of extraordinary alien lifeforms that operate as a living, breathing ecosystem. Learn and master the behaviors of these creatures to create ecosystems of your own design if you are to survive and discover the secrets of Mars’ past.

Key Features

Explore an open-ended network of exotic caverns.
Decode mysterious signals and discover long lost ruins.
Survive an unearthly world of strange creatures and hazardous terrain.
Grow a vibrant, interconnected ecosystem of exotic plants and alien creatures.
Cultivate one species to feed another, eliminate unwanted infestations, and research unique behaviors.
2012 IGF Nominee: Excellence in Audio. Features nearly two hours of critically acclaimed original music.
A fully PC native control scheme, designed for both mouse+keyboard and for gamepads.