First episode of "Journey to MARS", a behind-the-scenes documentary about the independently made, Brazilian metroidvania, MARS 2120
Episode One offers a look at behind the creation of the game and sci-fi inspirations - Get your ass to Mars!
São Paulo, Brazil - 20th June, 2024 - Independent developer QUByte Interactive has today released a new Dev Diary offering further insight into the development of their upcoming futuristic action adventure MARS 2120 ahead of its 1.0 launch onto PC (Steam and Epic Store), Switch, PlayStation and Xbox Series consoles this summer.
This first of four Dev Diary entries, "The Creation of MARS 2120", reveals the initial steps in developing a game nearly four times more complex, time-consuming, and costly than any previous project by this small indie studio. Over five years, a core team of just six people took the game from concept to certification for a 2024 release.
Traditionally focused on retro games, including both original titles and notable franchises like the 1992 Super Nintendo's Top Gear, QUByte Interactive embarked on creating its first complex, non-linear game: a sci-fi themed metroidvania. Driven by their passion for the genre and the ambition to tackle technical challenges, the team transitioned from the Unity engine to Unreal to make the best possible version of their vision.
MARS 2120's sci-fi theme is inspired by the developers' love for great sci-fi authors, iconic films like Aliens, Blade Runner and Total Recall, and classic console games such as Metroid, earning it the nickname "the Brazilian Metroid Dread." The game entered early access on Steam in late 2022 to gather community feedback, ensuring development was guided by player input.
This Dev Diary documentary series "Journey to Mars" consists of four episodes, and will release gradually until the game's launch. Episode 2, coming soon, will explore the creation of the game's art and design process.
MARS 2120 will be released in the second half of 2024 for PC (Steam and Epic Store), Xbox One, XBox Series X/S, Playstation 4, Playstation 5 and Nintendo Switch.
About MARS 2120 In MARS 2120, humanity has successfully colonised various planets in our solar system, allowing people to escape an increasingly grim situation on Earth. After the UN receives a worrying distress call from Mars, it's up to Sergeant Anna "Thirteen" Charlotte and an elite team of space marines to answer the call and rescue the first colony. To get to them, you'll have to traverse a harsh landscape. fighting formidable and mysterious foes using a mix of ranged and melee attacks alongside useful elemental skills. How you dispatch your enemies is up to you, with the game offering players a non-linear approach to combat as well as exploration. Inspired by pioneers of the genre such as Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, MARS 2120 is an action packed metroidvania that offers a satisfying combat experience alongside cinematic flair. Will you survive?
