Posted: 2 years ago, last updated 2 weeks ago.
Author: @GeekDadGamer and Jo Robertson.
Overview
Kerbal Space Program is a space flight simulation game. You direct a space program, staffed and crewed by aliens. It looks like a cute game for kids, but under its comic exterior is a hugely complex and engaging space simulation.
To succeed in the game you must work with its accurate simulation of orbital physics to create a spacecraft that is capable of flight and space travel. This allows for orbital manoeuvres as in real space travel, such as Hohmann transfer orbits and bi-elliptic transfer orbits.
Unusually, your task is the administrator of the space program rather than the adrenaline of the flight itself. This not only connects players with the real challenges of space exploration but offers a more sedate and considered experience.
You create the various required craft, rockets, aircraft, spaceplanes and rovers from the provided set of components. You then launch your craft and control it in three dimensions with little assistance. Your aim is to achieve orbit or travel to other celestial bodies, visualised via the map mode that displays the orbit or trajectory of the player vehicle, as well as the position and trajectory of other spacecraft and planetary bodies.
This start is relatively complex, but you can soon get a handle on how the ship builds work. From here though, the complexity can grow as you work out how to create a craft to travel further afield and how to account for orbits and gravity.
To succeed in the game you must work with its accurate simulation of orbital physics to create a spacecraft that is capable of flight and space travel. This allows for orbital manoeuvres as in real space travel, such as Hohmann transfer orbits and bi-elliptic transfer orbits.
Unusually, your task is the administrator of the space program rather than the adrenaline of the flight itself. This not only connects players with the real challenges of space exploration but offers a more sedate and considered experience.
You create the various required craft, rockets, aircraft, spaceplanes and rovers from the provided set of components. You then launch your craft and control it in three dimensions with little assistance. Your aim is to achieve orbit or travel to other celestial bodies, visualised via the map mode that displays the orbit or trajectory of the player vehicle, as well as the position and trajectory of other spacecraft and planetary bodies.
This start is relatively complex, but you can soon get a handle on how the ship builds work. From here though, the complexity can grow as you work out how to create a craft to travel further afield and how to account for orbits and gravity.
Game Details
Release Date: 31/03/2016, updated in 2021
Price: 75% off
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
Content Rating: PEGI 3
Skill Rating: 9+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Creative, Simulation (Adventure, Narrative and Open World)
Developer: Squad Devs (@SquadDevs)
Lists
View our choice of games like Kerbal Space Program. This game is good if you want to:
Duration
Play Style
This is a single-player game. This is a game that expands with your horizons, hence the very long potential playtime.
Age Ratings
Skill Rating
9+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game.
Costs
Kerbal Space Program usually costs £11.99 to £49.99.
There's an in-game purchase for "Making History Expansion" which adds new content, a Mission Builder and a History Pack featuring missions inspired by historical events. The "Breaking Ground Expansion" opens new options once celestial bodies have been reached by adding more scientific endeavours and expanding the toolset.
The most recent addition is the "Shared Horizons" update that was developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). It adds two missions led by Europe’s chief space organization. This includes the addition of the Ariane 5 rocket, an ESA-themed space suit for Kerbals, new parts, and science experiments for players to conduct. The BepiColombo mission recreates ESA's ongoing joint mission to Mercury with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency while the Rosetta mission commemorates landing on a Jupiter-family comet.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Kerbal Space Program
Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition
Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition Complete
Kerbal Space Program: Breaking Ground
Kerbal Space Program: Enhanced Edition
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
There's an in-game purchase for "Making History Expansion" which adds new content, a Mission Builder and a History Pack featuring missions inspired by historical events. The "Breaking Ground Expansion" opens new options once celestial bodies have been reached by adding more scientific endeavours and expanding the toolset.
The most recent addition is the "Shared Horizons" update that was developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). It adds two missions led by Europe’s chief space organization. This includes the addition of the Ariane 5 rocket, an ESA-themed space suit for Kerbals, new parts, and science experiments for players to conduct. The BepiColombo mission recreates ESA's ongoing joint mission to Mercury with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency while the Rosetta mission commemorates landing on a Jupiter-family comet.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Accessibility
We haven't documented accessibility features for this game yet. Our Kerbal Space Program Accessibility Report details system-wide settings that may help, and suggests similar games with accessibility features. Tweet the developer (@SquadDevs) to let them know about our Accessibility Questionnaire.
Diversity and Inclusion
We haven't documented diversity and inclusion information for this game yet.

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