Crafting rollercoasters, spinning up carousels, and setting up hot dog stands is always a blast, but the best tycoon games and theme park simulators manage to break new ground. Take Jurassic World Evolution, for instance, which injects dinosaurs into the mix to create a thrilling experience. Now, prepare yourself for a twist because Mars Attracts might just be the most delightfully weird game in 2025’s lineup. Ready to put your management skills to the test on the Red Planet? The chance to dive in is closer than you think.
Earlier this year at Gamescom, Mars Attracts grabbed attention with its out-of-nowhere reveal. It’s a quirky addition to next year’s PC gaming roster—a Planet Coaster-type game set on Mars. The kicker? It’s drawing inspiration from an old, largely forgotten intellectual property: the star-studded ’90s sci-fi comedy, Mars Attacks. This film flopped in the box office back then, so seeing it make a surprise comeback as a theme park sim has really thrown us for a loop.
Don’t harness any negative expectations, though. Mars Attracts looks to deliver a unique experience that should rise well above its cinematic predecessor. You’ll be creating a theme park specifically designed for Martian visitors, crafting rides alongside enclosures with a unique twist—human exhibits. That’s right, humans take center stage here, turning the tables on the typical alien narrative.
Expect to whisk humans away from famous historical periods, like Ancient Rome or the Wild West. Each human is unique, and designing enclosures to keep them contained is paramount. For instance, you wouldn’t expect a Martian glass cage to hold off a crew of Roman gladiators, would you?
As a twist, the game lets you decide whether to keep your human exhibits comfortable or to instill a bit of fear, which might—or might not—include some probing. Your alien guests will get a kick out of either approach.
Building the ultimate Martian theme park also involves serious management skills. The main gameplay loop feels much like what you’ve experienced in other tycoon games, but with development still in its early stages and only one teaser trailer released, who knows what surprises lie ahead?
If you’re keen to help Outlier craft a standout management game with a distinctly bizarre charm, you can sign up for the first playtest. It’s starting quite soon!
Kicking off on Wednesday, December 4, the Mars Attracts closed alpha is your chance to get a sneak peek before the game’s slated early access launch in 2025.
For those passionate about building and creating, check out our guide to the top building games out there. If you’re seeking more games that challenge your strategic prowess and multitasking, browse through our lists of the best strategy games.
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