Kerbal Space Program

 PC
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 724 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 584 out of 724
  2. Mixed: 54 out of 724
  3. Negative: 86 out of 724

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  1. saltcomb
    Nov 8, 2015
    9
    If you are looking for any of the flowing in a game buy it:

    A game that tests your knowledge
    A game that is fun
    A game that lets you do what ever you want as long as it does not defy physics (Oh wait you can defy physics)
    A game that has thousands of mods.
    a game that updates frequently and gives you more to do constantly.
  2. Drackonic
    Nov 6, 2015
    9
    Its a very fun game where you can make just about anything that has wings or engines and put it anywhere in an entire solar system. Although at times it can get boring, but considering this game has a massive mod base that problem is fairly easy to fix. Do keep in mind though if you don't like simulators or games like them this wont be the game for you. But if you like space sims , flightIts a very fun game where you can make just about anything that has wings or engines and put it anywhere in an entire solar system. Although at times it can get boring, but considering this game has a massive mod base that problem is fairly easy to fix. Do keep in mind though if you don't like simulators or games like them this wont be the game for you. But if you like space sims , flight sims, or even just designing Air/space craft then you will certainly like this game.… Expand
  3. gamer_krang
    Nov 21, 2015
    9
    Reviewing after 200 hours played.

    Kerbal Space Program is a great computer game. Sure, there are things to be improved upon and the game does not realize its full potential without third party mods. However, this game has been developed on a small budget and achieves what so many huge titles fail to do time and time again. KSP delivers a unique and immersive experience of the kind that    Reviewing after 200 hours played.

    Kerbal Space Program is a great computer game. Sure, there are things to be improved upon and the game does not realize its full potential without third party mods. However, this game has been developed on a small budget and achieves what so many huge titles fail to do time and time again. KSP delivers a unique and immersive experience of the kind that got me hooked on computer games to begin with. Seldom, maybe never, will you receive the same sensation of accomplishment or experience the same delight in exploration as KSP offers. KSP is computer game design at it's best, pioneering, bold and impressive. I can't wait to see what SQUAD can do with a bigger budget.    … Expand
  4. touchofheaven
    Jul 5, 2020
    9
    Отличный симулятор исследования космоса, песочница, генерирующая множество разнообразных и интересных ситуаций. В игре присутствуют некоторые минусы, но многие из них прекрасно исправляются модами.
  5. Hallahan
    Nov 13, 2017
    9
    A lovely game for all ages, teaching what you need to be to go into space and getting people interested on the idea of space travel, it has it flaws a like any game like no multiplayer but there are mods for these exact reasons.
  6. NotBanMePLZ
    Nov 21, 2018
    9
    Замечательная игра, но одной солнечной системы уж слишком мало, были хотя бы еще пару звезд и это была бы твердая десятка.
  7. cableguy3333
    Apr 30, 2019
    9
    A fantasticaly hard game and by hard I mean brain power, this game is made for the interlectuals out there. There is no guidance and you can build pretty much anything you can think of, but will it fly ? probably not but the explosions are a joy to watch
  8. IndeecJoe
    Nov 1, 2019
    9
    It's unique and if you are motivated by seeing a goal and going for it step by step by learning the mechanics of the game, you will like it.
  9. JohnyBananaman
    Jul 2, 2020
    9
    Such a interesting take on the sci fi gameplay. I love the crafting aspect of the game where ur given full reigns of what you can create out of somewhat realistic choices. Enjoyed it thoroughly, had a hard time in the beginning tho can't lie, just play the tutorial if you dont wanna bumble (even the bumbling is fun) around like me !
  10. apokalipto
    Aug 11, 2023
    9
    Very good game. I enjoyed playing this game a lot. I strongly recommend this.
  11. KerbalFan69
    May 31, 2022
    9
    Kerbal Space Programm is a creative, well-made and succsess-deserving quality game with a lot of good points:
    The planets in the custom system are not too difficult to get to and creative and well-made.
    The rocket-building UI is easy to use, but also provides advanced tools for experienced players. The parts are diverse and creative. And the physics are very realistic. The only flaw    Kerbal Space Programm is a creative, well-made and succsess-deserving quality game with a lot of good points:
    The planets in the custom system are not too difficult to get to and creative and well-made.
    The rocket-building UI is easy to use, but also provides advanced tools for experienced players.
    The parts are diverse and creative.
    And the physics are very realistic.

    The only flaw I have seen so far is:
    The phystics engine cas be finnicky and unresponsive, doing something many players call "awakening the kraken."

    The mods are also very well made, other than the high quantity of troll mods in games like minecraft.    … Expand
  12. bingusCoder
    Sep 19, 2022
    9
    It's a very good game, it even taught me enough to be able to make my own space program in real life, but, it's a quite basic game without mods. If you want to play this game, make sure to install mods using CKAN (Comprehensive Kerbal Archive Network)
  13. WindCloak
    Aug 30, 2022
    9
    Отличный ракетостроительный симулятор, своя солнечная система. Много возможностей для постройки ракет. Достаточно большой игровой мир. Только графика оставляет желать лучшего.
  14. bergfall
    Sep 3, 2015
    8
    Great game as-is, but can't wait to see this rocket building and natural laws being mimicked well in a larger setting....space conquest like. Still, great value and much fun, but it's PG-Geek, so maybe not for everyone.
  15. Winterspark
    May 14, 2016
    8
    I hate Kerbal Space Program... No wait, I'm just angry because I spent 3 hours building and flying a ship to Minmus and the sodding thing crashed because I let the new girl drive it. Jesus, what was I thinking, she was the same girl that somehow survived last years docking crash. Brilliant game. Needs a few little tweaks to make idiots like me understand what the hell I am doing sometimesI hate Kerbal Space Program... No wait, I'm just angry because I spent 3 hours building and flying a ship to Minmus and the sodding thing crashed because I let the new girl drive it. Jesus, what was I thinking, she was the same girl that somehow survived last years docking crash. Brilliant game. Needs a few little tweaks to make idiots like me understand what the hell I am doing sometimes (see docking, above) but otherwise brilliant.… Expand
  16. Midds
    Jun 7, 2015
    8
    A defining aspect of this game is it's replayability. Over the years I have played this game I have sent many poor Kerbans hurtling to their most likely demise by slamming them (mostly unintentionally) into the moon or have them lost in space, indefinitely orbiting the sun.

    KSP provides a decent amount of content. Mixed with its unique and sandbox style, the game provides an excellent    A defining aspect of this game is it's replayability. Over the years I have played this game I have sent many poor Kerbans hurtling to their most likely demise by slamming them (mostly unintentionally) into the moon or have them lost in space, indefinitely orbiting the sun.

    KSP provides a decent amount of content. Mixed with its unique and sandbox style, the game provides an excellent experience. In terms of performance, the game runs incredibly well right up until it doesn't and some 'semi-bugs' can create entertaining anecdotes.

    The career game mode still seems a little 'slapped on' and it isn't exactly something that you'd want to do repeatedly, but nevertheless, it still adds something positive to the game as a whole.

    Overall a very good game that stands the test of time.    … Expand
  17. Redwarrior1up
    Sep 10, 2015
    8
    One of the best space simulators I've ever played, it offers a great mix between realities of space flight as well as a sci-fi and cartoon like charm. It also boasts a wonderful team behind the game itself who is always offering new updates as well as a pretty in depth look into their development.

    I should probably also divulge I've put over 200 hrs into this game over the years since    One of the best space simulators I've ever played, it offers a great mix between realities of space flight as well as a sci-fi and cartoon like charm. It also boasts a wonderful team behind the game itself who is always offering new updates as well as a pretty in depth look into their development.

    I should probably also divulge I've put over 200 hrs into this game over the years since its been out, so i might be a little biased.    … Expand
  18. Kaux
    Mar 6, 2016
    8
    An interesting space simulation game which has developed massively over the many months which I have owned this game.
    With the official release version, I did expect more issues to be fixed and for some graphical improvements to certain things, however not enough was changed in my opinion. KSP is not quite as user friendly as I had expected with the official release, however the game    An interesting space simulation game which has developed massively over the many months which I have owned this game.
    With the official release version, I did expect more issues to be fixed and for some graphical improvements to certain things, however not enough was changed in my opinion. KSP is not quite as user friendly as I had expected with the official release, however the game still provides an enjoyable set of mechanics and great gameplay.    … Expand
  19. baris697
    May 1, 2016
    8
    This game is for everyone, who like space, rockets, physics, build strategy and fun in great mix. It takes some time, before you fully understand how to play, but it is fun. You are a leader of the space program and you are able to do everything what is somehow connected with space like create space-tourist vessels, space stations, explore asteroids, moons or other planets, build planesThis game is for everyone, who like space, rockets, physics, build strategy and fun in great mix. It takes some time, before you fully understand how to play, but it is fun. You are a leader of the space program and you are able to do everything what is somehow connected with space like create space-tourist vessels, space stations, explore asteroids, moons or other planets, build planes for planet explore and a lot of more. There is a whole solar system with many planets, moons, asteroids and also a star. And the star is not just some source of light, it is real object, that you can explore. You can build a vessel like you want, but you have to thing about real physics like aerodynamic, weight, thrust, breaking devices,, vessel protection and many other things. It Is a fiction space, but it is similar with the real. Everything works great, game looks good and although it looks like some comedy thing, the game works with real physics and do it well.
    Problem could be random bugs (dancing airplane, problem with visibility of UI in the administration building, strange crashes - when symmetrical rocket is turning after start...) . But developers still working on patches and game is periodically updated.
    Summary it is a great, funny and science based game with a face, but with some smaller bugs and still visible space to improve.    … Expand
  20. SaviorGaming
    Dec 7, 2017
    8
    Kerbal is one of those games people will love or hate, not because there is anything wrong with it, but because of what you have to put into it. Sure you can sit down and play it for 5 minutes or 5 hours, that really isn't the issue. The game just has a HUGE learning curve. Running a space program takes a lot of work and a lot of trial and error. The tutorials will be a god send and willKerbal is one of those games people will love or hate, not because there is anything wrong with it, but because of what you have to put into it. Sure you can sit down and play it for 5 minutes or 5 hours, that really isn't the issue. The game just has a HUGE learning curve. Running a space program takes a lot of work and a lot of trial and error. The tutorials will be a god send and will help, but you will fail a lot aiming for the stars and success. Failure is actually half the fun.… Expand
  21. PeakZach
    Apr 14, 2020
    8
    Replayability at it's best. This game could be played for hundred of hours exploring and developing and thinking. Obviously this isn't a game for everyone and not all would enjoy the complexity or general overhead. Overall, a great game.
  22. V7q
    Nov 24, 2020
    8
    Good game. The gameplay is not very good, this is the main disadvantage of the game. Acceleration works poorly in the game, problems with bugs. Interesting career, about 100 hours in the game. A career has marketing, missions, science. It seems to me that I want to become a space engineer. In this game, you need to learn a lot, helpers read books. The game is about 5 years old, but soGood game. The gameplay is not very good, this is the main disadvantage of the game. Acceleration works poorly in the game, problems with bugs. Interesting career, about 100 hours in the game. A career has marketing, missions, science. It seems to me that I want to become a space engineer. In this game, you need to learn a lot, helpers read books. The game is about 5 years old, but so little additional content, I would like more. The game is not perfect, there are many problems.… Expand
  23. marijn2112
    May 10, 2021
    8
    A fun game, however it is a bit disappointing that it hasn't expanded too much aside from parts through its updates, the game is basically seen as sandbox, but it is kind of disappointing that the available Campaign mode isn't fully polished, with many of the same missions, you also don't really get rewarded too much aside of a couple of milestones for experiencing with your own planes andA fun game, however it is a bit disappointing that it hasn't expanded too much aside from parts through its updates, the game is basically seen as sandbox, but it is kind of disappointing that the available Campaign mode isn't fully polished, with many of the same missions, you also don't really get rewarded too much aside of a couple of milestones for experiencing with your own planes and space stations… Expand
  24. joecool99
    May 7, 2015
    7
    Great game, the technical presentation reminds me of the original UFO defense from Microprose in 1994
    I want to see streamlined KERBAL 2 - similar to recent reboot by Firaxis XCOM in analogy. They streamlined it well with good game mechanics and graphics. Not perfect, yet I prefer it over original now.
    I have about 50h in Kerbal - however my excitement is diminishing with the weak    Great game, the technical presentation reminds me of the original UFO defense from Microprose in 1994
    I want to see streamlined KERBAL 2 - similar to recent reboot by Firaxis XCOM in analogy. They streamlined it well with good game mechanics and graphics. Not perfect, yet I prefer it over original now.

    I have about 50h in Kerbal - however my excitement is diminishing with the weak boring graphics, loading in between flight center and launchpad etc. - empty planets.

    KERBAL 2 vision:
    - immense graphics overhaul (think no mans sky)
    - somewhat streamlined gameplay and research (not everybody want to deal with 20 different winglets etc.)
    - better time speed mechanics and limits.
    - planet view needs to look as real planets with hi-res textures and dynamic atmosphere (if it has one)
    - narrative gameplay single player - journey across Galaxy etc. (think homeworld)
    - better physics of cloth for parachute
    - I'm sure there is more...

    This is already a huge success for your studio. Keep evolving, now you have funds - take it to next step! ;-)    … Expand
  25. TheMadGolem
    Jun 28, 2015
    7
    When I first heard about what KSP was, I was really excited. I had seen youtobe videos on it. I was really excited. Whhen I got it, I was a little dissapointed. I was expecting more parts. But when I got used to it, It became really fun :D.

    However, I don't think it is worth the £30 I spent on it. I would acceot £20 or £25 but not thirty.
    Besides from that, It's a very good game :)
  26. rezo_21
    Sep 18, 2021
    7
    ====================IIIIIIIIII GAME SCORE : 66 IIIIIIIIII====================
  27. clem666
    Mar 16, 2021
    7
    'Kerbal Space Program' may seem like a peaceful casual funny game but rather appears as a complete simulator. You won't have the courage to play it more than one hour if you don't stop sufficiently at the tutorials. And just when you think it can't be that hard to reach the stars, you suddenly realize that there are an impressive amount of parameters required just to visit the stratosphere'Kerbal Space Program' may seem like a peaceful casual funny game but rather appears as a complete simulator. You won't have the courage to play it more than one hour if you don't stop sufficiently at the tutorials. And just when you think it can't be that hard to reach the stars, you suddenly realize that there are an impressive amount of parameters required just to visit the stratosphere without landing anywhere.

    The game strangely manages to give you the impression of total freedom when it doesn't allow you to go anywhere without following and understanding an incredible amount of rules. Each step you will achieve in order to reach an objective will demand you to dig deeper into the game mechanics. 'Kerbal Space Program' tries to be funny but I think its humour is totally obliterated by its incredible difficulty. Graphics seems effortless and do not help to truly get involved in the game.

    It is important to highlight the fact that 'Kerbal Space Program' benefits from a huge community that is hyper-active. Play it on Steam and you will easily disover plenty of crazy-original mods.    … Expand
  28. gracjanski
    Feb 27, 2018
    6
    The beginning is perfect: In the long tutorial you get a great feeling of the perfect physics and complex gameplay. The setting is very unique, where did you ever manage a space center?
    After some hours the problem begin: The last tutorials are not very clear. There is no manual -> so many informations are hidden. You can loose your free time of your life to play the trial and error game,    The beginning is perfect: In the long tutorial you get a great feeling of the perfect physics and complex gameplay. The setting is very unique, where did you ever manage a space center?
    After some hours the problem begin: The last tutorials are not very clear. There is no manual -> so many informations are hidden. You can loose your free time of your life to play the trial and error game, but I hate it. Or you can search in internet for more informations. But overall this is frustrating. Another big problem ist the missing localization. I understand english well, but I need to understand everything in a complex game.
    Somehow the atmosphere is boring and not motivating. The boring graphics fits into that feeling.The campaign is a good idea: you get contracts and get science and other points to develop your space center. But the contracts are very similar. I have the feeling, the campaign needs improvements to be funny.    … Expand
  29. Pannon
    Jan 14, 2016
    6
    I hate to be a party pooper, but I liked everything, up to 1.00. My problem is, the game is the same, as it was 10 versions ago. Since this supposed to be the "release" version (1.0 +) , I expected more things being fixed and the game tuned better, more bugs taken out, and more gamer friendly.
    Despite I know almost everything how to build rockets and balance it right, a newcomer will    I hate to be a party pooper, but I liked everything, up to 1.00. My problem is, the game is the same, as it was 10 versions ago. Since this supposed to be the "release" version (1.0 +) , I expected more things being fixed and the game tuned better, more bugs taken out, and more gamer friendly.
    Despite I know almost everything how to build rockets and balance it right, a newcomer will struggle. There should be at least ballon help for the parts and easier mechanics for assembly.
    I understand this is an indie title (and probably the best one out there), but I don't see any real progress from alpha to final. It's like, the developers themselves got bored of it and just kicked it out the door with a price attached to it.
    As I said, as an alpha indie game, it's fantastic, but I hoped to see more.
    The interface in the hangar is mediocre. There is hardly any explanation of what is what and how it comes together.
    Text doesn't scale, so people with 1080 resolution will either have to stick their heads to the monitor or get glasses. Forget about 4K people, they will need a microscope.
    Sounds continuosly cuts out periodically, as the loop of the sound effect ends and restarts.
    I have 32GB of memory and an upper midrange card (960 GTX 2GB) , and yet I still feel like there are performance issues, especially in orbit. And that, considering the fact, that the game isn't really pushing textures and visual quality to begin with.
    The gameplay could have used more TLC. The missions are fun, but it gets hard from easy really fast. People should not rely on youtube to know a game. This goes for all games here, not just this. I found this an unacceptable practice, that gone haywire and now developers just cut the whole introduction and tutorials out of the game. I know Kerbal has a tutorial, but it's hardly enough. It's more like just an excuse.
    So to sum it up, my dislike isn't about whether the game is good or bad, but more about lack of polish and lack of content added to the final version.
    As an alpha or an early access, it's an exemplary game and goes fully recommended to everyone, but as a final product - considering what it was in alpha- I can't give a thumbs up.
    I know, I am going against the flow here, and I understand that many will not like my review, but I'm not here to please people, but give my fair share of thoughts and my opinion.    … Expand
  30. Hersir
    Dec 10, 2015
    6
    The game allows you to be Sergei Korolev, Wernher von Braun, Yuri Gagarin, Alan Shepard and Neil Armstrong all at the same time, and many more. You can build aircraft, rockets, spaceplanes, satellites, landers, rovers and etc. and use them to travel around an imaginary star system similar to our own and this all features real-life-esque environments, physics and equipment.
    .
    Even more    The game allows you to be Sergei Korolev, Wernher von Braun, Yuri Gagarin, Alan Shepard and Neil Armstrong all at the same time, and many more. You can build aircraft, rockets, spaceplanes, satellites, landers, rovers and etc. and use them to travel around an imaginary star system similar to our own and this all features real-life-esque environments, physics and equipment.
    .
    Even more possibilities are introduced in various mods that add anything from new parts to whole new layers of gameplay like inventory system and ability to exchange resources on the fly, and even multiplayer synchronisation.
    .
    Unfortunately this all comes with a serious downside - the technical implementation part of the game is abhorrent. Most game assets are pre-loaded instead of loaded on demand (and unloaded when not needed), I feel like I'm in the 90's or something. But even worse, combined with absence of fully functional 64-bit exe file this means game always crashes because of memory limits and the situation gets even worse if you naturally want to mod your game. The game also lacks some optimization as quite sometimes I experience frame drops for no fair reason - the graphics or physics in this game isn't something that anyhow should fully load your CPU or GPU even if they're not top of the line.
    .
    So, for now I'm giving it a 6. I will change my mind when devs move KSP to Unity 5.2 with some proper 64 bit support.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PC Game of 2011
44
#44 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
11
#11 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. PCWorld
    Jan 20, 2016
    100
    Kerbal Space Program isn't just a fantastic space game. It's one of those games that makes you glad you play on PC, because it could only come to exist on PC.
    Read full review
  2. Power Unlimited
    Jul 24, 2015
    92
    KSP is bloody fantastic! The possibilities are endless and the feeling you get after a successful mission is the best ever. You should probably buy this video game. [Jul 2015, p.063]
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jul 8, 2015
    80
    Neither for the impatient, nor for absolute purists this simulation although focuses to the latter significantly more. When your game is supported by NASA itself, you are just doing something exceptionally well. [Issue#253]
See all critic reviews »