Mars Attracts: Quirky Management Game Set for Initial Playtest Soon

Rollercoasters, carousels, and hot dog stands—building these classic attractions is a blast. Yet, the finest tycoon games and theme park simulators venture into imaginative territories that others in the genre can’t quite touch. Take Jurassic World Evolution, for example—it spices up the usual formula with a thrilling prehistoric twist. Now, an upcoming title named Mars Attracts is poised to push the boundaries even further, promising one of the most offbeat and fascinating experiences in 2025. And soon, you’ll get your first chance to dive in.

Introduced earlier this year at Gamescom, Mars Attracts was one of those jaw-dropping announcements. It piqued the interest of many as one of the most eccentric PC games on the horizon. Picture a theme park simulation akin to Planet Coaster, but plopped right onto the red sands of Mars. Here’s the kicker: it draws inspiration from a near-forgotten IP tied to a sleepy box office dud from the late ’90s. Remember Mars Attacks? That star-studded black comedy about an alien invasion? Well, two and a half decades later, it’s being revived in the guise of a theme park sim. Talk about unexpected!

But don’t let the film’s reputation fool you into dismissing Mars Attracts. Rather than a flop, this game offers a unique premise: constructing a theme park catering to throngs of Martian tourists. Sure, you’ll have rides aplenty, but you’ll also craft enclosures and themed exhibits featuring abducted humans. Indeed, this time around, humans themselves are the spectacle.

You’ll snag these unfortunate folks from various iconic eras—think Ancient Rome to the Wild West. With such a diverse cast of historical guests, your creative challenge is to design enclosures tailored to keep them in line. After all, a bit of fragile Martian glass isn’t likely to contain a group of Roman gladiators, right?

Whether you decide to keep your humans pampered and content or subject them to some good ol’ alien mischief (yes, even probing), your extraterrestrial visitors might find joy in either approach.

Naturally, alongside all this intergalactic funfair design, you’ll need to manage the park itself. The gameplay resembles tried-and-true tycoon mechanics, although it’s early days yet—armed with just one trailer, there’s still the promise of hidden surprises.

For those eager to help shape this quirky management adventure, Outlier Games is inviting players to participate in its inaugural playtest, happening soon.

Mark your calendar: the closed alpha for Mars Attracts kicks off on Wednesday, December 4. Early access to the game is on track for a 2025 release.

If construction and creativity tickle your fancy, our guide to the top building games has got you covered. And if you’re in search of games designed to sharpen your multitasking and management skills, our roundup of stellar strategy games should do the trick.

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