Life on Mars: Genesis

About

Life on Mars: Genesis is a retro sci-fi action game that mixes exploration with combat. You play a lone operative investigating a failed Martian colony, navigating interconnected levels while collecting upgrades to access new areas. Master abilities like double jumping and sprinting to backtrack through environments, and swap between weapons such as a flamethrower or grenade launcher to handle different threats. Resource management is key, as you balance shield health and stamina to survive tough encounters. The game’s layout encourages revisiting earlier zones with expanded tools, a staple of the genre. The game’s 1980s-inspired aesthetic and tight level design stand out, with a plot that leans into classic sci-fi tropes of isolation and mystery. Originally released for older systems like the MSX2 and later remade for PC, this version is tailored for 16-bit fans. While it doesn’t reinvent the formula, its pacing and weapon variety earn praise from retro gaming communities. Released in 2015, it’s a solid pick for players seeking a straightforward, skill-based Metroidvania experience on vintage hardware.

Storyline

The United Nations established a colony on Mars to investigate the underground waters of Mars and find out if there is any kind of life. 2 years later, Earth lost contact with the colony. The United Nations sent a spaceship to mars in order to find out what happened. After a 7 months journey, the U.N.S.S. Barcelona arrived to the orbit of Mars and it is ready to launch a one man ship to the Mars colony. That man is you.