Aspiring astronauts can now experience the challenges of surviving on the Red Planet with the launch of 687 Days on Mars: First Steps, a free introductory survival adventure from developers Games Incubator and Frozen Cave Studio, published by Games Incubator and PlayWay.
Released on Steam, First Steps gives players a taste of the upcoming full survival experience in 687 Days on Mars. The free standalone introduction offers approximately 30 minutes of gameplay, challenging players to establish a foothold on the hostile Martian surface.
Survival requires careful resource management as players construct their first shelter, establish oxygen and water supplies and generate the power needed to keep their growing base operational. Players can also deploy automated mining drones to extract valuable resources, research new technologies and grow food using aeroponic farming methods.
Exploring beyond the safety of the base presents additional challenges. Players can venture across the Martian landscape in a rover, search for supplies and gather resources while watching out for dangerous dust storms, solar storms and radiation exposure.
The experience introduces several of the building, exploration and survival systems planned for the complete game. According to the developers, feedback from earlier playtests has helped shape the project, with First Steps offering players a chance to experience those improvements.
687 Days on Mars: First Steps is available for free on Steam, giving survival game fans an opportunity to begin their Martian adventures without spending anything.
