Kerbal Space Program (KSP) is about building and flying rockets into space. Chances are you already knew that, because it was first released, in alpha, back in 2011. The latest update brings some significant improvements, but none of its individual additions dramatically changes the game. KSP’s major pillars have been in place for a while now. Updates were designed to extend these pillars, and over the course of years have shaped the game into what it is now. There are new missions types, more ship parts, female Kerbal astronauts, and revised graphical effects. It has also a new ‘Engineer Report’ panel that advises about obvious errors in a ship’s construction.
Sandbox mode is the purest distillation of KSP’s essence. In it, you have an unlimited budget and full access to the game’s many ship parts. Sandbox games are, by definition, without structure. At the same time, it has a natural progression you can choose to follow. There’s a moon, and then planets—each far enough away that visiting the next is a significant step up in difficulty.
The persistent nature of the solar system is also important for incompetent players. After a certain point, it becomes impossible to build a rocket big and efficient enough to reach nearby planets. With permanent orbital stations and tankers, it’s possible to create a series of refueling pit stops for you to dock at along the way.
If you yearn for more structure, there’s also a career mode. At the start of the mode, you’re extremely limited in what you can build. It is, however, a slightly smoother and easier start. With less ship parts available, you’re given time to figure out what everything does. The contract types can pose scenarios that can prove challenging even to those familiar with the game.
Sim with soul
As a simulation, it would be easy for KSP to feel cold and dry. It is not down to the presentation, and the nature of the Kerbals themselves. They’re clumsy, bumbling tinkerers— rated in game for their courage and stupidity. The Kerbals bring physics down to the nonprofessional’s level. In a more serious game, the mistakes and failures would feel tragic, or worse, purely theoretical. The Kerbals bring much needed heart to the simulation, and an element of slapstick. You feel bad when one dies, but not too bad.
It’s also easy to see KSP as being about engineering and design. Often it is that: a game of tweaking a ship’s center of mass, of increasing stability, or of using the orbital map to perform a controlled burn to a distant destination. It’s not an especially good-looking game. Planetary textures are basic and low-res. It looks utilitarian, which feels apt. occasionally, though, you’ll be floating in space and the sun will emerge from behind Kerbin, or you’ll catch the distant glint of another planet. At distance, the engine’s lighting excels. In motion, KSP is fully able to sell the majesty and awe of space exploration.
It’s a reminder: we did that. On the back of science, yearning and, yes, a nearly apocalyptic competition between two superpowers, we strapped people into giant combustible machines and shot them out of our planet. We did that, and it was amazing. It’s a rare and wonderful game.
Verdict
We give a total rating of 97/100 for Kerbal Space Program. It is a perfect blend of science and slapstick, and a robust and compelling sandbox of possibility. Outstanding! For a discounted price of Kerbal Space Program, go here.
