Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 60 | 30 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 78% | 73 | 37 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 72% | 69 | 25 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Oct 31, 2024) · 25 reviews sampled · 19 total reviews in window · weighted 9.9 up / 3.8 down · computed 18m ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (19)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 40
“We commend Mars 2120 for what it does do well. It gets a few things right: the general aesthetic is on point, the ambient music is pleasant, and some of the upgrades you’ll pick up in your journey are pretty cool. But failing to nail the basic traits that make a Metroidvania means that we can't recommend this one.”
read full review ↗ - 30
“Mars 2120 is a title that suffers from very serious shortcomings in every respect. Its gameplay is dreadful, and the glance and optimization do not help. Its narrative side is nonexistent; the basic story is simple and does not capture in the least.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“A Metroidvania where you can feel the effort to make it good, but just has too many rough edges to stand out among titans”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Mars 2120 is an engaging game that features fast action-exploration backed by awesome controls. Its repetitive enemies and weak soundtrack hold it back. Good for genre fans, but far from exceptional.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“While reasonably competent and made by people with a vision, Mars 2120 stumbles frequently in its execution of RNG heavy bosses, poor signposting, and many small irritants.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Mars 2120 is a very interesting and fun experience, featuring beautiful graphics and innovative gameplay elements, although some are too innovative to be easily understood by the player.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“MARS 2120 is a title that clearly takes strong inspiration from Metroid, managing to offer an experience that is certainly valid and pleasant for fans of the genre, but qualitatively variable.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“MARS 2120 is one of the odd titles that contradict itself with good promises but ultimately fails when it comes to execution, which happens to be controls and a sense of direction when it comes to later levels. However, it is still an enjoyable title, and as I mentioned, the developers are keen on listening to feedback. If you are interested in 2D metroidvanias with shoot ‘em up elements, MARS 2120 might be a title you should look up to get.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“MARS 2120 has some great ideas and executes them well, but the lack of story and some technical issues on the Nintendo Switch sadly hold back the rest of the experience. That being said, the soundtrack is great, the combat works well and some of the visuals are stunning, so there will be a market for any metroidvania fans who enjoy these elements of the genre!”
read full review ↗ - 75
“I believe the game can deliver considerable fun for those who miss the rare releases in the classic Metroid series, as well as for players looking for a short and fun journey that expands on the roots of the genre that Nintendo's series helped establish in the industry. Many of its problems will disappear after proper technical optimization, allowing this Brazilian game to shine at what it does best, despite its flaws.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Mars 2120 undeniably borrows heavily from the progenitor of the genre it aspires to emulate. Metroid hallmarks are here--along with a few interesting twists and setpieces--but are held back by some finicky issues and a rushed power creep.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“MARS 2120 has the potential for a good game and even succeeds in visuals and tool versatility, but execution problems and an early-looking release prevent it, in its current state, from reaching the average in a medium as prolific as today's metroidvanias.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
SpaceNerd.it
Nindie Spotlight
Capsule Computers
GameLuster
GameGrin
CrazyGameCommunity.it
NoobFeed
Switchaboo
NintendoBoy
Digital Chumps
PSX Brasil…and 7 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- New Patch Arrives!Oct 31, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- MARS 2120 - First UpdateAug 26, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- MARS 2120 - Last UpdateOct 26, 2023
- MARS 2120 UPDATE #3 AVAILABLE NOWMay 10, 2023
- MAJOR UPDATE BROADCAST IS LIVE!Feb 14, 2023
- FIRST MAJOR UPDATE IS HERE!Feb 7, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- MAJOR UPDATE COMING IN FEBRUARYDec 22, 2022significant · resets scoring window