Of all the games I’ve had my time with, KerbalSpace Program remains the most interesting that I failed at repeatedly. I won’t entirely blame my failures on the lack of refined piloting skills on my part, as I later discovered that the game thrives on being experimental. I eventually got the hang of it, even though I would’ve given up if it was any other title. The catch is that you must be ready to put in great work, and at the end of the day, the satisfaction you get after every flawless launch is nothing short of fulfilling. 

The game, which is available on Xbox, Windows, and PlayStation, has garnered much attention from space organizations, including NASA. The reason is that the game utilizes some natural life physics principles and serves as a teaching aid in some space institutes. The famous developers’ squad made its first version as far back as 2011 and has since then released several iterations, including the controlled and enhanced editions. 

Since its release, the game has received many good reviews among enthusiasts and in many publications. The designers have, in turn, gifted fans with printed models of their favorite aircraft. Many have also praised the title for its perfect blend of science and fun, making it a fulfilling and successful project. A sequel is already underway to be released sometime next year. 

What does the game look like

Think of this as a space simulation game. You will be in charge of a space program controlled by green aliens called kerbals. These green creatures have a space center from which you can build different aircraft and planes using specific parts. As soon as you complete the construction of your rocket or plane, you can use a set of 3D controls to pilot the craft from the space center runway and proceed to complete multiple missions. You must be sure that the vessel has sufficient fuel, and you make use of the assist system to prevent any catastrophic structural bleep. 

If you can maintain a steady course and control, you then take the craft to several planets in space. As you move, you can use the map feature to adjust your directions or plan movement changes beforehand. This feature also allows you to see your current path and the position of other planes. You can also see certain craft information that you can use against other aircraft. 

When I tried the game out the first time, little did I know that there was much more than launching and landing planes? Some tasks need you to fly to certain heights or go over the atmosphere. Some other tasks need the player to land on a particular planetary object, build a space center, or rescue some captured humanoids. Furthermore, you can hop on the forum and create challenges for your friends, like combat tournaments. 

The humanoids you control in the game can also perform some stunts or collect some items during several experiments. Like real astronauts, they can plant a flag or take soil samples on different planets. They can also do various forms of repairs and deployments. Apart from the modifications that you can add to the game, which gives it some extra boosts and features, you can also imitate legendary aircraft and their missions as you play. 

What Game modes are available

There are three available modes. The first is the sandbox. Here, you can flex your creativity by building any craft you like in whatever manner you deem fit. Gamers have equally used the opportunity to create unrealistic crafts to see the game’s elastic limit. I once maxed all the features just because I was allowed. The specifications didn’t make much sense, but the satisfaction that I could build anything I like was the catch. Most times, these unrealistic crafts explode or fail after a few moves. 

The science mode allows new players to get the game’s groove gradually. There’s no unlimited freedom to choose a part as you begin building initially, but you will unlock more features as you progress. You will earn more pieces as you complete specific experiments in different parts of the solar system. The good thing about this mode is the satisfactory feeling you get after every fantastic flight.

An extension of the science mode is what you will find in your career. You will have more money here, but you must finish contracts to earn cash that you will use to build crafts. The mode also comes with some reputation features. The better your reputation, the more funds you get by completing contracts. If you reject any arrangement, such a similar one will not come for you again. You will also need to unlock several features in this mode. I spent more time here as you can see that your hands will most likely not be idle. The challenges will have you going through many trials and errors, but it’s worth it at the end of the day. 

The excellent experience I had

The first thing I appreciated about this title is the attention to detail. The developers ensured that you have almost every ingredient you need to develop the next-generation spaceship. The simulations are practically real life, and this suggests the extent the makers went to give fans a befitting title. Smartness is the word that captures the game’s essence. Filled with content and trials, the developers gave us a fun game while learning the basics of flying and space science. 

The glitches I couldn’t overlook

The game, though fun and educational, has its share of glitches. The staging is deficient, especially during building. You will see that some parts of the craft fall off during flight which has catastrophic effects. The graphics are also not a major positive for the game, as there’s room for more improvement in this regard. 

Verdict

Learning has never gotten this fun for a while. Squad sure did many gamers around the world a favor with this title. Its immersive missions, heroes, and craftsmanship is nothing short of impressive. You have to play and play several times to get the hang, but you will be the happiest on the planet when you get your first successful flight. Overall, the developers only have a few things to work on in graphics and simulation.