Japanese developer Acquire has released a new update for Scars of Mars adding a new challenge mode, new features, and more.

Here’s a rundown on the new update:

NEW FEATURES

Challenge Mode (Unlocked After the Ending) – A new mode available after completing the game. Enemies are stronger, and Safe Rooms do not exist. Challenge Mode records the Best Clear Time for each level. 

By clearing challenge levels, you can obtain enhanced versions of previous equipment, known as “+ Equipment Blueprints”. The maximum Research Level increases as you clear each level for the first time. To access Challenge Mode Lv. 1 – Lv. 10, check the “Deploy” screen after the ending.

FEATURE IMPROVEMENTS

• Blueprints List – “Convert All to Upgrade Points” option added, allowing you to convert all blueprints into upgrade points at once.
• Edit (Unlocked After the Ending) – Humanoid Masks can now display Class icons and other elements. New Masks are unlocked after completing the endings of NORMAL, HARD, and EXTREME difficulties.
• Point Capacity – The maximum limit for Research Points and Upgrade Points at base has been increased.
• Option Menu – “Remaining Item Notification” has been added under General Settings. This option allows you to toggle notifications for items left in ACQUIRED during deployment. (Default setting: ON)
• UI Adjustments – Equipment level display has been adjusted to “Current Level / Max Level”. The number display for acquired items during deployment has been adjusted.
• Steam Achievements – Clearing EXTREME difficulty will now also unlock the achievement for NORMAL difficulty.
• Bug Fixes – Fixed an issue where certain animations could not be skipped. Fixed minor bugs for improved stability.

Scars of Mars has been available since June 2024 for Windows PC (via Steam) and Switch (via the eShop).