Underplayed Gems

Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager (2014)

Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager cover
Developer
Polar Motion
Publisher
Slitherine Ltd.
Platforms
Windows
Genres
Simulation, Strategy
Rating
3.8 of 5, 497 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 28 hours
Where to get it
Steam

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The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

Playing feels like carefully managing a historical space program, making calculated decisions turn by turn.

methodicaleducationalstrategicsimulationhistoricalturn-basedmanagementauthentic

What players say

Players split on this remake of BARIS: some call it a worthy update that captures the tension of the space race, others find the tutorial terrible, the UI clunky, and text hard to read. A common complaint is harsh random failures even at high reliability, which can kill crews and tank budgets.

Screenshots

Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager screenshot 1Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager screenshot 2Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager screenshot 3Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager screenshot 4Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager screenshot 5

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More by The Slitherine Group

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.