Mars Explorer

Posted by: Yannick Hill

I found this free in-browser game last night called Mars Explorer. Designed by a remarkable 18-year-old chap called Aubrey Falconer, Mars Explorer puts you in control of a space buggy in a small 3D environment that is meant to resemble Mars. The supposed draw is the online multiplayer laser tag mode, but I couldn't connect to any games. The alternative is a charmingly aimless single player exploration mode that reminded me of playing Hunter on the Amiga. What really makes Mars Explorer is this looped piece of music that wouldn't be out of place over the opening or end credits of a Werner Herzog film.

You can drive around with the cursor keys, but when you press the space bar something special happens: your buggy spreads a pair of green, semi-transparent wings. Press the down key and your strange little craft will take off. In flight, controls are really responsive, and you can glide around the very limited environment to your heart's content. If you like Herzog films and nice gliding physics, try playing Mars Explorer.

PC users can play the game here:

http://aubreyfalconer.com/view-238

Mac users can download the dashboard version here:

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/games/marsexplorer_atidesign.html

  About the author

Yannick Hill

Yannick got the Amiga 500 Batman Pack when he was ten. He made the joker fall off a ladder to his death but never managed to land a plane in F/A-18 Interceptor.
He likes to think there aren't many gamers living on a narrowboat.
Visit Yannick's blog at: http://krakendreams.blogspot.com