Choose Mars 2030
Choose Mars 2030 if it matches what drew you to this matchup. Mars 2030 launched in 2017.
Mars 2030 vs Rocket Explorer
Mars 2030 and Rocket Explorer both land in Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both are Simulation games on Steam. Mars 2030 (2017) is 4 years older than Rocket Explorer (2021). Mars 2030 scores higher on Steam reviews (66.7% positive) than Rocket Explorer (54.5% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Rocket Explorer
Choose Rocket Explorer if you want an Indie, Casual, and Early Access experience. On Steam, it's the newer release (2021) and ships with the modern feature baseline. Rocket Explorer launched in 2021.
Both Mars 2030 and Rocket Explorer sit in Simulation on Steam and both list Tracked Controller Support and VR Supported, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Mars 2030 |  Rocket Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2017 | 2021 |
| Genres | Simulation | Indie, Simulation, Casual, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | 14.99 USD | 12.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 66.7% positive (48 reviews) | 54.5% positive (22 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | FMG Labs | Stanley Creative |
Side by side
- Both are Simulation games on Steam.
- Mars 2030 (2017) is 4 years older than Rocket Explorer (2021).
- Mars 2030 scores higher on Steam reviews (66.7% positive) than Rocket Explorer (54.5% positive).
- Rocket Explorer is currently ~13% cheaper on Steam than Mars 2030 (12.99 USD vs. 14.99 USD).
Mars 2030 vs Rocket Explorer — FAQ
- Should I play Mars 2030 or Rocket Explorer first?
- If you want chronology, Mars 2030 (2017) came out before Rocket Explorer (2021). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Mars 2030 and Rocket Explorer similar?
- They overlap on Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.