Exciting news for fans of the fun, sandbox-mode DIY rocket simulator Kerbal Space Program as the newest expansion “Breaking Ground” releases on May 30
The new content will focus on the planetary side of space exploration, which shows just how far the franchise has developed since its initial release, when players were more concerned with properly timing their second stage rocket boosters. “Breaking Ground” looks to shift the focus towards the addition of more research sites in the solar system with varying geographical formations to explore, such as frozen volcanoes or massive formations of crystals. To help examine these on each planet, there is the addition of a broad range of advanced robotics meant to assist in the deployment of your scientific equipment.
As the earliest days of the original, pre-expansion game forced a steep learning curve for new players, forums would often fill up with unique and creative attempts to make their ships fly adequately. The same should be expected here as well, except that instead of trying to safely reach outer space, the challenge here will likely be creating an all-terrain spacecraft, once that could move easily across the surfaces of the planet, be they mountainous or watery, as well as able to fly, perhaps out into space as well. The combination of all of these things may be too much to ask, but still, one can dream.
At the very least, creating something to handle the planet surface is likely going to a sufficient challenge. The one consistent message leading up to the release of the expansion has been that this time around, the goal is “exploration, experimentation and technological breakthroughs,” and here is where the big, stompy robots come to shine. Did you first build a traditional-looking vehicle with silly wheels, only to get stuck on a mountain? Well then, build your next vehicle with a massive frame that looks like a scorpion and move with ease up those rocks.
It is good to see that the game has continued to do well over the years. Recently there has been discussion about larger companies moving away from original games and focusing more on their old, favored IPs to deliver in terms of sales, but often at the cost of potential innovation. Sandbox-type games like Kerbal Space Program seemed counterintuitive back in 2013 when it entered early access on Steam, and yet, here we are years later. Those looking to pick up the expansion need only pay the modest fee of about $15 USD, which is a bargain for what this expansion looks to offer its fans.
