MARS 2120, as the name suggests, is set on the red planet where you flee an avalanche of rocks to get to a research facilities and the issues become present almost right away. The controls feel off when navigating this introductory section and what should be a sleek design ends up working against the experience. The jump mechanics, including the double jump, are a particularly problematic point as they are far too floaty for the game’s own good.
Combat is also lacking in MARS 2120, which is disappointing. There are two main forms of attack, your long range energy blasts and your physical melee attacks, and while the melee attacks feel decent enough, it is the energy blasts that bring the experience down. Aiming the gun requires you to use the right analogue stick, but it feels so frustrating to use due to how erratic it is that using the energy gun ends up being something you will hate using.
It does not help that the enemy AI is terrible in MARS 2120. with some enemies just standing there and not attacking and other enemies pursuing you even off screen. The hit detection is also problematic and will lead to multiple unfair deaths and an experience that is just unfun. But if you think the boss fights will save the game, then you are sadly mistaken.
No, the boss fights are a mess in their own way due to the simple fact that they do not present a challenge. There are too few attacks to memories and can be defeated without much strategy by just shooting them endlessly. It is sadly a dull experience and falls far short of its inspiration.
The only thing MARS 2120 has going for it is that it looks nice, but even the nice looking environments get in the way. You will get lost over and over again due to how the game fails to give you any sense of where to go and this is upsetting considering that the game layout is actually rather basic. MARS 2120 could have been great but what we have here is Metroid Dread from Wish, a game that tries to look good, but just feels upsetting when you play.
I had high hopes for MARS 2120 and was looking forward to it since it was announced. It has some nice music and there are cool items to find, but that is not enough to make this stand out in a good way. There are so many great Metroidvanias available on modern systems, indie, retro and AAA, and MARS 2120 just does not match up to those games. I would avoid MARS 2120 and just find another game that offers more.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
