Kerbal Space Program

Item: Kerbal Space Program
Rating: 96
Author: VaporLens

Last updated: 2026-01-19

Summary

Steep but rewarding learning curve experience
Realistic physics and creative open-ended gameplay
Educational spaceflight simulator with humor
Complex and unintuitive UI frustrates players
Frequent mission failures and Kerbal losses
Outdated graphics and mod dependency issues

Emotions

Frustration16%Satisfaction15%Excitement11%Amusement9%Enthusiasm6%

Sample precision
Helpful reviews: 45%
Unhelpful reviews: 53%
Protest reviews: 1%

96%
Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
4%
Helpful reviews with negative sentiment

Positive points: 772
Negative points: 291
Gameplay points: 744
Perf. points: 56
Rec. points: 167
Misc points: 17

Point	Description	Importance
Steep but rewarding learning curve Description The game has a challenging learning curve that players find deeply rewarding once mastered. The sense of accomplishment from overcoming initial difficulties and achieving milestones like orbital rendezvous or moon landings is frequently praised. Importance 96%	The game has a challenging learning curve that players find deeply rewarding once mastered. The sense of accomplishment from overcoming initial difficulties and achieving milestones like orbital rendezvous or moon landings is frequently praised.	96%
Educational spaceflight simulator Description The game teaches orbital mechanics, rocket science, and physics in an engaging and accessible way, making it both fun and educational. Players frequently highlight its ability to inspire interest in aerospace engineering and real-world spaceflight concepts. Importance 95%	The game teaches orbital mechanics, rocket science, and physics in an engaging and accessible way, making it both fun and educational. Players frequently highlight its ability to inspire interest in aerospace engineering and real-world spaceflight concepts.	95%
Creative and open-ended gameplay Description The game offers unparalleled creative freedom, allowing players to design rockets, planes, and space stations with no rigid objectives. This sandbox-style gameplay encourages experimentation and problem-solving, making each playthrough unique. Importance 93%	The game offers unparalleled creative freedom, allowing players to design rockets, planes, and space stations with no rigid objectives. This sandbox-style gameplay encourages experimentation and problem-solving, making each playthrough unique.	93%
Realistic physics and mechanics Description The game is praised for its realistic physics engine, which accurately simulates orbital mechanics, aerodynamics, and spaceflight challenges. This realism adds depth and authenticity to the gameplay, appealing to both casual and hardcore space enthusiasts. Importance 90%	The game is praised for its realistic physics engine, which accurately simulates orbital mechanics, aerodynamics, and spaceflight challenges. This realism adds depth and authenticity to the gameplay, appealing to both casual and hardcore space enthusiasts.	90%
Long-term engagement and addiction Description Players report spending hundreds or even thousands of hours in the game due to its engaging and immersive gameplay. The combination of trial-and-error mechanics, creative freedom, and rewarding progression keeps players hooked over the long term. Importance 20%	Players report spending hundreds or even thousands of hours in the game due to its engaging and immersive gameplay. The combination of trial-and-error mechanics, creative freedom, and rewarding progression keeps players hooked over the long term.	20%
Satisfying progression and achievements Description Players find the game's progression system highly satisfying, as it rewards patience, creativity, and problem-solving. Achievements like successfully landing on the moon or building a space station provide a strong sense of accomplishment. Importance 12%	Players find the game's progression system highly satisfying, as it rewards patience, creativity, and problem-solving. Achievements like successfully landing on the moon or building a space station provide a strong sense of accomplishment.	12%
Well-designed career and science modes Description The game offers three distinct modes (Career, Science, and Sandbox), each catering to different playstyles. Career mode, in particular, is praised for its structured progression and variety of missions that introduce mechanics gradually. Importance 6%	The game offers three distinct modes (Career, Science, and Sandbox), each catering to different playstyles. Career mode, in particular, is praised for its structured progression and variety of missions that introduce mechanics gradually.	6%
Humorous and charming Kerbal characters Description The Kerbals, with their resilient and humorous personalities, add a unique charm to the game. Players enjoy their antics, such as surviving explosions or being rescued, which contribute to the game's lighthearted and fun atmosphere. Importance 5%	The Kerbals, with their resilient and humorous personalities, add a unique charm to the game. Players enjoy their antics, such as surviving explosions or being rescued, which contribute to the game's lighthearted and fun atmosphere.	5%
Unique learning through failure Description The game turns failures into humorous and engaging learning experiences. Players enjoy the creative problem-solving opportunities that arise from catastrophic failures, such as exploding rockets or lost Kerbals. Importance 5%	The game turns failures into humorous and engaging learning experiences. Players enjoy the creative problem-solving opportunities that arise from catastrophic failures, such as exploding rockets or lost Kerbals.	5%
Appeals to engineering and space enthusiasts Description The game is particularly appealing to players with an interest in engineering, space exploration, and real-world space agencies like NASA and SpaceX. Its realistic mechanics and creative freedom resonate strongly with this audience. Importance 4%	The game is particularly appealing to players with an interest in engineering, space exploration, and real-world space agencies like NASA and SpaceX. Its realistic mechanics and creative freedom resonate strongly with this audience.	4%
DLCs and expansions add value Description The game's DLCs, such as 'Making History' and 'Breaking Ground,' are considered worthwhile additions that introduce new parts, scenarios, and gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate the extra content and enhanced replayability they provide. Importance 3%	The game's DLCs, such as 'Making History' and 'Breaking Ground,' are considered worthwhile additions that introduce new parts, scenarios, and gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate the extra content and enhanced replayability they provide.	3%
Affordable during sales Description Players frequently recommend purchasing the game during Steam sales or promotions, as it offers excellent value for its price. The game's affordability makes it accessible to a broader audience. Importance 3%	Players frequently recommend purchasing the game during Steam sales or promotions, as it offers excellent value for its price. The game's affordability makes it accessible to a broader audience.	3%
Better experience on PC Description The PC version of the game is widely regarded as superior to console versions due to its additional features, modding support, and ease of use. Players who have tried both platforms often prefer the PC experience. Importance 3%	The PC version of the game is widely regarded as superior to console versions due to its additional features, modding support, and ease of use. Players who have tried both platforms often prefer the PC experience.	3%
Atmospheric soundtrack and exploration Description The game's soundtrack adds to its immersive atmosphere, while features like mystery eggs and alien structures enhance the sense of exploration. These elements contribute to the game's unique and engaging world. Importance 3%	The game's soundtrack adds to its immersive atmosphere, while features like mystery eggs and alien structures enhance the sense of exploration. These elements contribute to the game's unique and engaging world.	3%
More polished than KSP2 Description Players note that the original game is more refined and better optimized compared to its sequel, KSP2. The craft-building UI and overall gameplay experience are often cited as superior in the original version. Importance 2%	Players note that the original game is more refined and better optimized compared to its sequel, KSP2. The craft-building UI and overall gameplay experience are often cited as superior in the original version.	2%
Enjoyable without mods Description While mods enhance the experience, the vanilla version of the game is still highly enjoyable. Players appreciate the core gameplay, which offers plenty of content and fun even without additional modifications. Importance 2%	While mods enhance the experience, the vanilla version of the game is still highly enjoyable. Players appreciate the core gameplay, which offers plenty of content and fun even without additional modifications.	2%

Kerbal Space Program

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