Waking Mars by Tiger Style, Universal, TouchArcade Game of the Year 2012

[GeekyDad]

Originally Posted by TimEggers

I want to love this game but I can't get beyond the controls.

I dislike the drag-and-follow set-up as my hand is either in the way or I have to keep switching hands which in turn makes planting just akward.

Otherwise an impressive game very glad I bought it.

Yeah, I won't make any excuses for the controls. On the one hand, I really like that they opted for touch controls over a virtual d-pad (which I generally loathe), but it's still awkward for this game. That being said, the type of gameplay that's here isn't terribly demanding in terms of control, so it's easy for me personally to overlook. I have fun gliding around on the jetpack as is, but perhaps it would feel more intuitive if he was more buoyant, or if steering him around in the air was more natural.

[TimEggers]

Agreed.

I was more or less making an observation and sharing my opinion, and I agree with you this game is otherwise very well done.

With such a beautiful game and elegant exploration mechanic I'd like to be viewing the game more and the back of my hand less.

[carlisimo]

Thanks for the game, guys. I finished it last night and loved it. I'm not sure it happened quite right, though.

•••Spoiler:  At the Helm, after opening one of the pods I got a message that looked like the sculpture on the right (the large plant). I went to it and awoke Mars... before being told to feed the Power Station. After talking to the sentient some more I was told to go do that, so I did. I was a bit confused when I got the beam of light cinematic after seeing the giant plant cinematic. This was before I downloaded the jetpack update.

I also didn't return to base until after finishing the game, because I thought that would be the end. It was only later that I tried doing that before finishing (being at base is nice!). I was paranoid that I'd miss something...

But really, thank you. I loved the concept, the atmosphere, the characters... Liang and Amani struck me as being unusually realistic for game characters. At first I thought Amani was a bit over the top, but I really came to appreciate her mannerisms (and company) as it got lonely down there. Liang was very easy for me to relate to.

[carlisimo]

Originally Posted by sunsidegames

This is really a very systems-driven game, its cool that they give you so many paths and options on how to complete things. There's always the 'grind it out' method, just reproduce those crawlers at 5pts a pop until you reach 2500 pts. =) Just letting my ipad2 sit there for an hour while the biome slowly reaches 5 stars, and then jumping down into the nest of them to watch them all scatter in different directions. There are so many the ipad2 slows to a crawl! =)

I find you get more biomass per seed by creating new cycots (the jellyfish-like guys). Like the phyta, they stop reproducing after they hit a certain limit. But I do help phyta reproduce so they can feed the larians, because enriched halid zoa (or ledon if they're present) are great for biomass.

I also try to make sure all the acidic spots have prax zoa on them, because the other options are basically destroyers. Feran zoa blow stuff up, and cephads are the worst. Not only do they contribute a paltry quantity of biomass, but they can wipe out an entire cavern (replacing all life with their own pathetic selves). Their seeds come in handy, but I don't keep them around.

[David Tiger]

Originally Posted by TimEggers

I dislike the drag-and-follow set-up as my hand is either in the way or I have to keep switching hands which in turn makes planting just akward.

Hey Tim,

Just as a point of reference -- the way I play is with one forefinger. You shouldn't really need to "drag" your finger, just touch and hold where you want to go.

Not suggesting that you're 'playing it wrong' or anything, the controls don't work for everybody, especially on iPhone where the screen real estate is reduced.

You might really enjoy the jetpack you get •••Spoiler:  from 0CT0... if you play that far into the game!

[David Tiger]

Originally Posted by carlisimo

Thanks for the game, guys. I finished it last night and loved it. I'm not sure it happened quite right, though.

•••Spoiler:  At the Helm, after opening one of the pods I got a message that looked like the sculpture on the right (the large plant). I went to it and awoke Mars... before being told to feed the Power Station. After talking to the sentient some more I was told to go do that, so I did. I was a bit confused when I got the beam of light cinematic after seeing the giant plant cinematic. This was before I downloaded the jetpack update.

I also didn't return to base until after finishing the game, because I thought that would be the end. It was only later that I tried doing that before finishing (being at base is nice!). I was paranoid that I'd miss something...

But really, thank you. I loved the concept, the atmosphere, the characters... Liang and Amani struck me as being unusually realistic for game characters. At first I thought Amani was a bit over the top, but I really came to appreciate her mannerisms (and company) as it got lonely down there. Liang was very easy for me to relate to.

Thanks Carlesimo!

There is a bit of weirdness with the endgame scripting. •••Spoiler:  It was originally the case that you couldn't unlock the "bioshelter" ending until you had re-activated the power station, but it is possible that you can raise core power enough for that ending even without going through the power station quest. Unfortunately this results in some awkward conversation.

Glad you enjoyed the game

[Farmer Harv]

Had a couple of rain days, and Waking Mars filled them up perfectly. played for 9:18, Biomass is at 17216, saw three endings and am at 108.6% complete (not sure where I missed the other 1.4).

Great game, and thanks to Tiger Style for this and Spider. Looking forward to more of course.

[slewis7]

I just started playing this game and it is really interesting and intelligent as well as enjoyable. I love the music and the graphics are absolutely stunningly beautiful on my new iPad! The raves are well justified here.

[ColeDaddy]

After having been away from the game for awhile, I finished the game today with my 12 year old son cheering me along the way. This is one of the best games I've ever played on the iOS platform. I also had a chance to buy the soundtrack as well as the HD version of Bryce Manor. Tiger Style is my kinda company!

[Dixie Flatline]

Just finished this game after buying it a few days ago, and loved it. However, I had a nasty shock when watching the credits: you have Terri Brosius on board, and there's no voice work in the game? Not a single megalomaniac AI? Not even one disguised forest demigoddess? (Actually, either one could work in the context of Waking Mars.) I'm a fan of the writing in Thief: TDP, though, so it's nice to see her in the writing credits, anyway.

At any rate, it's heartening to see that the veterans of Looking Glass Productions are still making games, and spectacular ones at that.