Mars Attracts, the Quirky Management Game, is Set for its First Playtest Soon

Building your own amusement park with rollercoasters, carousels, and hot dog stands never gets old. Yet, the best simulation and tycoon games often transport you to places beyond the typical arcade experience. Take Jurassic World Evolution—who would’ve thought survival in a dinosaur-filled park could be so thrilling? But now, prepare yourself for something totally off the wall. Mars Attracts, a new management game aspiring for a 2025 release, is ready to take you on a truly out-of-this-world adventure.

When Mars Attracts was first introduced at Gamescom, it definitely left people scratching their heads with a mix of surprise and curiosity. It’s shaping up to be one of the oddest PC games slated for next year. Imagine a Planet Coaster-inspired game, but you’re on Mars. Plus, it’s connected to a late ’90s movie that didn’t quite hit the mark at the box office. Does Mars Attacks ring a bell? With its all-star lineup and a comedic take on alien invasions, seeing it unexpectedly revived as a theme park sim is, frankly, a bit bizarre.

However, don’t let the film’s reputation fool you—Mars Attracts could very well be a lot more engaging. This game invites you to construct a theme park for wave after wave of Martian patrons. Sure, your guests will have rides to hop on, but they’ll also marvel at exhibits showcasing humans you’ve abducted. Yes, you read that right—the humans are the attractions this time around.

Your abductions will pluck humans from various eras in history, stretching from Ancient Rome to the Wild West. This diversity means every person comes with their own quirks, demanding tailored enclosures to keep them in place. Ever think a mere sheet of alien glass could restrain a crew of Roman gladiators? Definitely not.

You get to decide their fates—pamper them or mess with them, probing included. After all, what’s entertaining for Martian visitors can vary widely.

Beyond setting up the perfect Martian amusement park, you’ll need to manage it too. At first glance, the gameplay follows the usual tycoon formula. Development is still in its early stages, and with just a single trailer available, unexpected twists could be waiting for us.

Keen to help shape this quirky creation with developer Outlier? Jump on their first playtest to contribute to developing a management sim that’s as captivating as it is peculiar.

Mark your calendar for Mars Attracts’ closed alpha playtest kicking off on Wednesday, December 4. You can look forward to an early access release sometime in 2025.

If you take pleasure in crafting and designing, our guide of top building games is sure to offer something up your alley. And for those eager to test their organizational wit, our recommendations for top strategy games are just a click away.

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