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The Mars Agenda, developed by Propulsion Games, is a space puzzle game that places the player in the role of a lone astronaut with only a manual as their tool. The game's objective is to complete various missions on Mars to prepare the planet for future habitation. In a conversation with the Propulsion Games team, they shared valuable insights about the creation and development of this intriguing project.

Inspired by the developer's first game, "Rockets Are Super Hard," The Mars Agenda brings unique elements to the sci-fi genre. Both games require players to read a PDF manual while solving complex logic puzzles in-game. The key difference is that The Mars Agenda is geared towards solo play, though it can also be enjoyed as a group game. This hybrid party game genre offers a unique gameplay experience that promotes reading, teamwork, and communication, all in the context of solving puzzles and having fun. Aesthetically, the game features a low-poly look that, despite appearing cozy, contrasts with the game's truly challenging nature.

The development of The Mars Agenda faced several challenges, as shared by the Propulsion Games team. The game was solely developed by co-founder Ryan during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. He conceived and released the game in just a few months, with the only additional contribution being the music composed by the other co-founder, Matt. The biggest difficulty was developing the game simultaneously with "Rockets Are Super Hard," which was in early access, alongside Ryan's primary commitment to studying for his PhD in Transmedia Storytelling. However, Ryan's discipline with the project's scope and the limited setting on Mars made the release possible.

The mission system in The Mars Agenda is diverse and well-structured. Each mission presents a different set of instructions and requires a specific part of the manual to solve the puzzles. The variety of challenges includes color matching, code comparisons, math, pseudo-code, and other logic-based puzzles. Players can get a sense of the puzzle complexity by downloading the free instruction manual.

While The Mars Agenda does not strive for scientific accuracy in depicting Mars, the use of the red planet is an aesthetic choice that facilitates the game's setting. Ryan, co-founder of Propulsion Games, is a space enthusiast, especially fascinated by the idea of humans reaching the surface of Mars in our lifetime. The game uses Mars as a unique setting that complements the theme of exploration and preparation for future habitation.

Overall, The Mars Agenda offers a challenging and engaging gameplay experience with a unique combination of reading, puzzle-solving, and teamwork, standing out in the sci-fi genre. The game's development story and its innovative approach to hybrid party gaming make it a noteworthy addition to the world of independent games.