Разработчик: Polar Motion
Описание
If you have any interest in space exploration and the events that transpired during the 'Race to the Moon', this is a game you just do not want to miss!
It is the mid 1950s and the race for dominance between the US and the Soviet Union is about to move into a new dimension: space. Take charge of the US or Soviet space agencies - your duty is be the first to the moon. Carefully manage your budget by opening programs, spending R&D funds on improving the hardware, recruiting personnel and launching space missions in this realistic turn based strategy game.
The game features both a campaign and a sandbox mode. In campaign mode, you will be able to play as the Director of either NASA or the Soviet Space Agency in order to beat the other side to be the first on the Moon. You can also lead the Global Space Agency (GSA), a fictional space agency that combines programs from all the major space agencies in the world . In the GSA campaign, you will need to address the requests and short-term goals issued by government, and is geared towards those players who prefer a game experience focused on exploration instead of competition. Alternatively, all three space agencies feature a Sandbox mode, which provides a more open-ended experience and allows you to try out different approaches without any political pressure.
You will be able to develop dozens of programs. Some examples include the X-15 and the PKA space planes, the Sputnik satellite, the Mercury, Voskhod, Apollo and Soyuz manned spacecraft and the Mars Viking probe. You are not limited to missions that did launch, as as the game also allows you to try out many concepts that were planned but that never left the drawing board. For example, instead of sending men to the Moon using the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous (LOR) approach used by Project Apollo in the late 1960s and early 1970s, you will be able to rewrite history and use either the alternative Gemini Earth Orbit Rendezvous (EOR) or Gemini Direct Ascent (DA) schemes. The number of options available ensure every game will be different and there is huge replay value.
Features
- Three different campaign modes: play as NASA or the Soviet space agency in order to be the first on the Moon or play as the Global Space Agency (GSA) and deal with the short-term objectives issued by politicians.
- Manage all aspects of your space agencies from their inception in the 1950's through to the manned lunar landing missions
- Play the race to the Moon campaign mode against other players using Slitherine’s PBEM system.
- The Sandbox mode allows you to play as any of the three space agencies and removes all competition restrictions. You will have a fully featured playground in order to try out different approaches to space exploration!
- Create space programs and launch missions inspired by real programs such as the X-15 Space plane, the Sputnik satellite, the Gemini, Vostok and Apollo manned spacecraft and a lot more!
- Research and develop dozens of mission components from several program categories.
- Develop your facility with advanced structures and upgrades including the Vehicle Assembly Building and the Mission Control Centre.
- Recruit and train astronaut candidates and assign them to missions.
- Assemble an elite team of Scientists, Engineers, Technicians (SET), Flight Controllers for the best chance of success.
- Manage your agency's budget.
- Mission components have an associated reliability factor and can cause catastrophic failures.
- Vast amounts of historical research ensure that the game's huge database features missions that launched and many more that never left the drawing board!
- A vast array of components built in 3D and rendered out in exquisite detail allow you to follow the progress of your missions via animated sequences.
- The Buzz-opedia gives background information on the real programs, missions and hardware throughout the game.
- The soundtrack features a unique playlist for each space agency and numerous tracks for the mission animations.
Designed in consultation with Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot and the second human being to set foot on the Moon.
Поддерживаемые языки: english, french, german, italian, spanish - spain
Системные требования
Windows
- OS *: Windows Vista/7/8/10, Windows Server 2008/2003
- Processor: Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor (or equivalent)
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: 256MB Video RAM
- Storage: 3 GB available space
- Additional Notes: Minimum screen resolution: 1366x768
Mac
- OS: OS: Mac OS 10.6+
- Processor: Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor (or equivalent)
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: 256MB
- Storage: 1500 MB available space
Отзывы пользователей
As a lifelong aficionado of space exploration, and many strategy games, I found myself immersed in how this little gem merges the two in a delightful package. From the outset, I was struck by the game’s authentic representation of the space programs from the thrilling days of the Space Age. The attention to detail and the commitment to historical accuracy transported me back to an era where every launch was a leap towards the stars.
What truly stands out is its reverence for the intricacies of the space race. The game faithfully mirrors the challenges and triumphs experienced by NASA and the Soviet space agencies, allowing players like myself to relive the era’s most iconic moments. The depth of the game’s research is evident in every mission, every spacecraft design, and every policy decision. It’s a rare and commendable feat to craft a game that is both educational and thoroughly engaging.
The mechanics of the game deserve high praise for their accessibility and intuitiveness. As someone who has navigated countless strategy games, I found the learning curve here to be refreshingly gentle. The interface is user-friendly, making it easy to manage resources, plan missions, and progress through the game’s intricate web of technological advancements and budgetary constraints. It’s a testament to the developers’ skill that a game with such depth is also welcoming to newcomers.
However, as much as I revelled in my journey to the stars, I couldn’t help but feel a longing for a more modern visual experience. The game’s graphics, while functional, left much to be desired in terms of immersion. In an era where high-quality 3D CGI has become the norm, the dated visuals of Buzz Aldrin’s Space Program Manager stood out starkly. The flat, 2D graphics lacked the dynamism and visual flair that could have elevated the game from excellent to extraordinary.
Which brings me to my plea: this game is in dire need of a remaster. The core mechanics and historical authenticity are already stellar, but a visual overhaul could breathe new life into this gem. Imagine the same meticulous attention to detail, but with cutting-edge graphics that do justice to the awe-inspiring nature of space exploration. A remaster or a completely redone version for the modern era would not only attract a new generation of gamers but also delight long-time fans like myself.
While Buzz Aldrin’s Space Program Manager remains a cherished part of my gaming library, I can’t help but dream of what it could become with a bit of modern polish. Here’s hoping that the developers hear our collective call and take this great game to new heights. Until then, I’ll continue to journey through the stars, cherishing the authenticity and easy-to-learn mechanics that make this game a true classic.
Buzz Aldrin’s Space Program Manager: The Game That Lets You Win the Space Race (and Rewrite History)
If you've ever dreamed of managing a space agency but thought, “Eh, NASA’s too busy to hire me,” well, Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager has you covered. Created in consultation with Dr. Buzz Aldrin himself—yes, the Buzz Aldrin who took a leisurely stroll on the Moon back in 1969—this game puts you in the driver’s seat of space exploration. And by “driver’s seat,” I mean sitting in an office managing R&D, hiring astronauts, and hoping your rocket doesn’t explode on the launchpad. Exciting, right?
Set in the mid-1950s, you’ll guide either NASA, the Soviet Space Agency, or the fictional Global Space Agency (GSA) as you race to be the first to land on the Moon. You’ll manage budgets, develop spacecraft, and pretend you know what "Gemini Direct Ascent" means. (Spoiler: It’s a fancy way to get to the Moon without a pitstop. Sorry, Apollo fans.)
The game is packed with history. Think of it as a space nerd’s dream come true—from Sputnik to Apollo 11, you get to relive all the missions that launched (and many that didn’t). Whether you want to go the tried-and-true Lunar Orbit Rendezvous route or take a risky “What if we skipped that and went straight to the Moon?” approach, SPM lets you rewrite history faster than a Hollywood reboot. There’s also Sandbox mode if you’re tired of Cold War politics and just want to mess around with rockets in peace—no pressure, no competition, just you and the cosmos.
But let’s be honest: It’s not all moon dust and champagne. You’ll still have to manage the not-so-glamorous side of space travel—budgets, mission failures, and the inevitable catastrophic launch that sets you back a few turns. Ever watch a rocket fail on live TV? Now imagine it happening in your game. Don’t worry, though—Buzz Aldrin won’t be mad at you. Probably.
Buzz Aldrin’s Space Program Manager also rewards creativity. It’s like a build-your-own-space-history kit, letting you explore abandoned concepts like Gemini Earth Orbit Rendezvous (EOR) or relive the glory days of the X-15 space plane. Who needs reality when you can make your own space race and rule the galaxy with science? (Or at least beat the Soviets. Or, you know, work with them in the Global Space Agency campaign because, hey, world peace.)
The game may be a bit older now, but it holds up like a classic NASA spacesuit—reliable, durable, and slightly snug in a comforting way. Sure, it’s not perfect. Would I love more content or a sequel? Absolutely! (Dr. Aldrin, if you're reading this, consider it my formal request for Buzz Aldrin’s Mars Program Manager.) But for what it is—a meticulously crafted, historically rich, and unapologetically challenging turn-based strategy game—it still shines brighter than a Saturn V rocket on launch day.
In conclusion, if you’ve ever wanted to yell at a bunch of imaginary engineers about rocket reliability, manage a budget like it’s 1965, or finally win the Moon race (take that, history!), then Buzz Aldrin’s Space Program Manager is the game for you. Plus, it’s Buzz Aldrin-approved, so you know it’s legit.
Rating: 10/10 - Would relaunch my failed Moon mission again.
Fun game
Hire, fire, and try to not get anybody killed. Fun look on how to manage a space program.
This is a really fun game and I do recommend this for those who enjoy a management simulation type environment with competition as you try and beat the other side in the space race. There are also some really great graphics and cut-scenes as well as some enthralling alternate history scenarios (such as a dual craft meeting of the Mercury capsules or pursuing the Gemini program all the way to the moon). The single and biggest downside is a complete lack of history in the game characters - all of the mission controllers, astronauts, and scientists are photos and names of people who helped fund the game and there no historical characters that you can recruit, train, and send into space (with the exception of Buzz Aldrin). Also, this game has not been updated in years and what you see is pretty much what you will always get.
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Дополнительная информация
| Разработчик | Polar Motion |
| Платформы | Windows |
| Ограничение возраста | Нет |
| Дата релиза | 18.01.2025 |
| Metacritic | 62 |
| Отзывы пользователей | 76% положительных (256) |