Mars - the Arrival

Mars - the Arrival

Scientific Mars settlement sim

25 ratings
22 reviews
Free
In-App PurchasesWith Ads

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • April 21, 2020
  • July 1, 2026

Features

Mars - the Arrival video #1 for iPhone
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iphone
ipad
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About

Engage in a scientific simulation of establishing a Mars colony. Manage a small group of settlers, research technologies, and build a thriving settlement from a single module. Compete with other human-controlled colonies for success on the Red Planet.

โœ“Scientific Mars settlement simulation
โœ“Research and development of technologies
โœ“Exploration of the Red Planet
โœ“Building and managing specialized structures
โœ“Managing settler types and life cycles
โœ“3D view of settlement and Mars surface
โœ“Offline playability
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What's New in Mars

1.6.2

July 1, 2026

FIXED - Shutting down the app sometimes lost the last the change that happend a couple of seconds before - In some cases restoring a settlement failed - Gifted IAPs did not work exactly like purchased ones

More
3

In-App Purchases

$1.99

MAA Gold Membership

Joining a Mars-global ranking.

User reviews

Great Time Management, Poor OPTIMIZATION!

First I will say the game is good and the prices you pay for the few option is reasonable.

I have been playing for 6 plus months and enjoyed the daily activities of managing the settlement.

As of now I would not suggest making any ingame purchasing due to the game not being optimized. It's a text based type game with no high demand for graphics yet when I play I get error message that it's low on memory.

So recently I purchased a new, best iPad with twice the ram. It's the best you can get yet I'm still getting the memory error. The game either lacks optimization or has a memory leak, I'm not sure. Either way once you spend much time, advance, maybe spend money on purchases you will find yourself not being able to play even with best tablet or phone.

So play free and don't spend money. I'm all done due to my new iPad can no longer support this app. Please fix memory issues.
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Great Time Management, Very Challenging!

First I will say after reviewing other's reviews the game does work fine and the issues people are having with the game freezing or running low in memory is due to using an older device that doesn't have enough memory. This happened to me recently with most of the games I was playing, including this game. I had an old 8th gen iPad and had to replace, game works fine now.

I like this game, it's very challenging and pushes you to tightly manage your colony, it will test your skills and there is always a way to work through the toughest situation.

I have been playing now for 8 months and just yesterday achieved the construction of a nuclear reactor, this will change everything and greatly increase my advancement. Doing so wasn't easy, and I found managing my people by sending them out on exploration greatly helped to manage resources, collect samples which in turn I sent back to earth for credit towards more needed resources.

I will leave you with one thought, using your imagination, trying different things and never giving up is key in this game. You need to manage your colony everyday to be successful.

One mistake I now see that I made is I put my colony near the North Pole where the water ice is. Primarily it's a good idea but I'm now thinking if the ice all melts my colony may be destroyed. It's a possible costly over sight on my part, I didn't catch that when starting but I will have to wait and see. I can always start over if need be.
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Great game and support

I really enjoy the game and its dynamics. When I had an issue with the purchase the developers were quick to respond and resolve my issue which is rare these days.

Sigh

I hope you added Venus to colonize ;)

.

Recommended!!!

Developer apps

FAQ

What is Mars - the Arrival?

Mars - the Arrival is a scientific simulation game where you establish and manage a colony on Mars. You start with a small group of settlers and develop your base into a thriving settlement by researching technologies, building structures, and exploring the planet. The game focuses on scientific accuracy and strategic management.

What are the key features of this Mars simulation?

Key features include scientific building and simulation, a background story with phase goals, real-time Mars simulation, choosing from different Earth organizations, extensive research and development of technologies, construction and maintenance of numerous buildings, exploration missions, resource management, and settler life cycle simulation. It also offers a 3D view of your settlement and the Mars surface.

How is the app monetized?

The app is free to download and play, containing some ads that appear after 15 minutes of gameplay. It also includes in-app purchases, but these are designed to unlock advanced functionalities and do not offer a 'pay to win' advantage. The focus is on a peaceful, strategic experience.

Can I play Mars - the Arrival offline?

Yes, the app is 100% usable without an internet connection. While optional online features like a ranking list and viewing other settlements are available, the core gameplay and simulation of your own Mars colony can be enjoyed entirely offline.

Who is this game for?

This game is designed for players who enjoy scientific simulation, strategy, and management games with a space exploration theme. It appeals to those interested in the challenges of establishing a human presence on Mars and engaging in detailed resource and population management without combat.