Creating your classic setup of rollercoasters, carousels, and food stands is always fun. But there’s something truly exceptional about tycoon games that offer experiences other games in the genre can’t. Take Jurassic World Evolution, for instance; it brings a thrilling prehistoric twist to the table. But, get ready for something even more out of this world—Mars Attracts. Slated as one of the quirkiest and most unique games arriving in 2025, it promises a theme park adventure on an entirely different planet. And your chance to dive into it is coming up soon.
Unveiled earlier this year at Gamescom, Mars Attracts was one of those jaw-dropping, head-scratching reveals. Imagine a Planet Coaster-style game, but set on Mars, reviving a long-forgotten intellectual property from a big-budget, box office flop from the late ’90s. Yes, I’m talking about Mars Attacks, the star-studded dark comedy of intergalactic invasion. It’s quite baffling—and intriguing—to see it reimagined decades later as a theme park simulator.
Now, don’t jump to conclusions thinking Mars Attracts will flop like its movie predecessor. In this game, you’re tasked with constructing a theme park catered to Martian visitors. Sure, they’ll have rides to enjoy, but the real highlight is creating enclosures and themed exhibits showcasing abducted humans. For once, it’s the humans in the spotlight as the attractions instead of the visitors.
Your task is to capture these unfortunate souls from iconic periods in history, ranging from Ancient Rome to the Wild West. This means you’ll have to get creative with designing enclosures that effectively contain these uniquely spirited people. I mean, seriously, a thin sheet of Martian glass won’t keep a troupe of rowdy Roman gladiators at bay, now will it?
You’ll have the option to keep your human exhibits either content and comfortable or distressed and terrified—yes, that might involve the infamous probing. Either way, your alien guests are sure to find the spectacle entertaining.
Naturally, creating the perfect Martian amusement park isn’t the end of your responsibilities. You need to manage the whole operation, and the gameplay loop resembles what you’d find in most tycoon games. However, since the game is still under development and we’ve only had a sneak peek with one trailer, expect some surprises along the journey.
The game’s creator, Outlier, invites you to participate in its quirky and charming world by signing up for the first playtest, set to start soon.
Mark your calendars: the closed alpha playtest for Mars Attracts kicks off on Wednesday, December 4. Projected for an early access launch in 2025, there’s plenty to anticipate.
For those who thrive on building and crafting, our guide to the best building games offers plenty of choices. If you’re looking to sharpen your management and multitasking skills, our lists of top strategy games will surely have something for you.
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