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Memorialized in books, movies, and television shows, the space race is one of the most significant triumphs of both science and human will ever. Mars Horizon is a strategy title that attempts to put you in the middle of it, at least from a high level planning standpoint. Starting with a fledgling space agency under a flag of your choosing (each choice has its own perks) you’ll endeavor to out plan, fund-raise, research, and achieve your competition to be first to the stars and immortality. There’s some nuance and process to learn in order to maximize success, but in general this is a game spent in multiple screens of options and information where you’ll be presented with decisions to make and the potential for disaster at any point, particularly if you’re unable to balance your thirst to be first with the practical realities of developing new and experimental technologies. While the concept of playing through the space race can be a compelling one the pretty detached nature of everything in this title makes it tougher to connect with. It’s absolutely interesting to see and gain an understanding of the challenges these scientists and decision-makers faced but it also may have a somewhat narrow appeal at the end of the day as a game.
Justin Nation, Score:Good [7.0]