Mars First Logistics Review

“Deliver Donut” – Watch as Greenhouse is built “mission text”

Mars First Logistics has been on my radar since 2023. Like many gamers, I keep a long wishlist, currently clocking in over 20 games that looked promising, but are either unfinished or hiding behind early-access paywalls. Some of these gambles pay off, as with Baldur’s Gate 3, while others feel like perpetual cash grabs (Star Citizen, looking at you).

Fortunately, Mars First Logistics belongs to the Baldur’s Gate 3 camp. It’s one of those rare early-access stories that worked out. Though it’s not a narrative or visual masterpiece, it’s an impressively executed physics-based drone builder and delivery simulator. I’ve spent over 18 hours with the game so far, and while fans of the genre could easily sink a hundred, I’ve played enough to get the gist of it.

Publisher: Shape Shop, Outersloth

Developer: Shape Shop

Platform: Played on PC

Availability: Released Sep 25, 2025 on Steam.

The Process

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1. Accept a mission (pickup and delivery).

2. Plan a route to the pickup.

3. Design a vehicle that can carry the item.

4. Test, redesign, test again.

5. Deliver or start over.

   
   

You have no idea how many times I’ve had to rewrite this list.

Early on, your limited budget and part selection force “creative” problem-solving. Like a drunk, realizing his fingers can no longer open cans, but his keys can punch a hole to drink from. I kept trying to build universal vehicles that could handle multiple missions, but soon realized how specific each job is. Do I build a flatbed with guard rails? Add grabbing arms? Maybe a scorpion-like forklift for flexibility? As I did more deliveries, I unlocked more parts. However, it is difficult to fully imagine a new solution at times. Admittedly, that is a personal issue.

A large truck bed lets me dump and run, but “realistic” (as much as a simulated Mars can be) terrain and weight quickly complicates that plan. Actuating arms can help lift items or flip your entire rig (you never think you need to flip a rig, till you do). Sometimes a simple bucket makes things worse.

The game is forgiving in clever ways: you only need the whole item inside the delivery zone, so partial transport in multiple trips works fine. But the terrain is brutal. Cliffs, dunes, rock fields sometimes all at once, and you’re occasionally on a timer thanks to a giant melting ice cube as cargo.

The developer clearly has a familiarity with automation or robotics; as someone with automation experience myself, the toolset feels intuitive. The problems, however, are ridiculous. That’s what makes it fun. At first, it is simple: grab the thing. Then grab the heavy big thing. Then the slippery big thing. Each step makes you question the fundamentals of a solution and soon enough your rebuilding rigs from scratch just to deliver a watering can on the other side of a bumpy hill. Difficulty is far from linear, much like puzzles, it’s how well you grasp the logic.

Building and Story

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You don’t just deliver, you build Mars. Each delivery contributes to constructing facilities as directly building transmitters or monorails. The delivery of a trophy creates a race track; a repair kit spawns a fighting arena. The story and visuals aren’t the selling points, but they serve the tone well. At no point do you have dialog — it is more like dark souls lore, but instead of items, it’s missions. Look at the world and how it changes from your actions. It’s an odd way to tell a story, but interesting. I would recommend watching the above video, to get some idea of how the game feels.

The cel-shaded visuals help keep everything clear.

Visually, the cel-shaded art style is clean and pleasant. Simple, but effective. The soundtrack stands out most: a blend of lo-fi pop, ambient, and jazzy elevator vibes that kicks in unexpectedly but fits perfectly once you’re cruising over Martian dunes. 

It actually reminded me of how ConcernedApe (creator of Stardew Valley) once said that he made games so people would listen to his music. I wouldn’t be surprised if something similar is true here, too.

Verdict

Mars First Logistics is an outstanding entry in the logistics and “walking simulator” genres, elevated by its robust drone customization system. It’s clever, technical, and genuinely rewarding.

With a richer story or more distinctive visual flair, it could have been exceptional. As it stands, it’s already a great introduction to robotics and systems thinking, especially for younger players or anyone curious about how creative problem-solving feels when wrapped in red dust and snappy pop.

Image Credits: Shape Shop, Outersloth, and William “MrNoSouls” Edmiston

Disclosure: We received a free review copy of this product.