Memories of Mars is an open world survival game set on the abandoned mining operations of the Red Planet. Players awaken as clones tasked with exploring the harsh Martian landscape, gathering resources, constructing bases, and uncovering the story behind the failed colonization effort while contending with extreme conditions and threats from both mechanical remnants and other survivors.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on resource gathering and base construction across a 16 square kilometer map filled with more than 120 points of interest. These include abandoned towns, mines, industrial facilities, and biodomes that players investigate for materials and clues about the planet's history. Crafting relies on a 3D printer system to produce tools, weapons, ammunition, armor, medical supplies, food, and explosives from collected resources. Upgradeable skills allow customization of character progression, while hundreds of items support varied playstyles focused on survival and combat effectiveness.
Exploration takes place in first-person perspective only. Players navigate unforgiving terrain marked by deserts, craters, canyons, and rocky plains. Environmental hazards and periodic solar flares add pressure, as clones have limited lifespans tied to these events. Combat involves engaging leftover security robots, drones, and larger military units from the original colonization attempts. PvP encounters occur in designated areas where players compete for resources or territory. The Emergency Protocols system guides players through environmental tasks that reveal narrative details about Mars' downfall and potential escape routes.
Game Modes
Memories of Mars operates primarily as an online multiplayer experience supporting both cooperative and competitive play. Players can team up to share base building and resource management or engage in direct conflict with others in PvP zones. In-game events periodically draw participants together for resource competitions in specific locations. The Emergency Protocols function as structured tasks that blend exploration, survival challenges, and story progression, encouraging interaction with the environment and other players. No dedicated single-player offline mode exists, as the experience relies on persistent online servers for all activities.
Exploration and Progression
Progression emphasizes skill tree development alongside base upgrades and equipment customization. Alliances formed with other players facilitate larger-scale operations and defense against AI threats. Treasure hunting elements appear through supply trackers, while lore collection contributes to a memory capsule that deepens understanding of the clone backstory. The 16 square kilometer Martian expanse rewards thorough investigation of its varied points of interest, though the focus remains on balancing immediate survival needs with long-term goals like escaping the planet.
Is It Worth Playing?
Memories of Mars reached full release in March 2020 after an early access period and received mixed player feedback, with approximately 59 percent positive reviews on its primary digital storefront. Official servers closed on June 25, 2024, following the game's removal from all digital stores earlier that year. As a result, the title is no longer accessible through standard means on Xbox One, Xbox Series consoles, or other platforms. Those who already own the game cannot continue on official infrastructure, and private server options require technical setup not supported by the original developers. For players seeking an open world survival experience with base building, crafting, and light narrative elements on Xbox hardware, alternatives with active communities and ongoing support provide more reliable options. The game holds historical interest for its Martian setting and clone survival premise, but current availability limits any practical recommendation.
