Deal | First time $4 instead of $40: Realistic and humorous sci-fi sim on Steam with 100K reviews (95% positive) hits lowest price ever
Kerbal Space Program first launched in 2011 as an early access title developed by the Mexican studio Squad and received its official PC release in April 2015. Since then, it has become a staple of the space simulation genre. In 2017, publisher Private Division – a label of Take-Two Interactive – took over marketing responsibilities. Despite its quirky green protagonists, the Kerbals, the game is widely recognized as a complex physics simulator with strong scientific ambitions and a thriving modding community.
In the game, players take charge of a space program based on the planet Kerbin. The goal is to design rockets, explore planets and moons, and build an interplanetary infrastructure – from orbital stations to crewed missions to distant celestial bodies. At the heart of the experience is the rocket editor, where players assemble their own spacecraft from a wide array of components, often resulting in both spectacular launches and dramatic crashes. Realistic physics and orbital mechanics ensure that every launch, maneuver and landing requires careful planning and precision.
Trial and error is central to the game’s design: players fail, adapt and try again until a mission finally succeeds. Beyond building rockets, they control flight paths, perform spacewalks and handle complex maneuvers such as docking or atmospheric re-entry. Career mode introduces budget constraints, research progression and contract-based missions, while sandbox mode offers complete creative freedom. Throughout, players experience a quirky sense of humor paired with a unique mix of charming characters and realistic spaceflight mechanics.
Reviews: Realistic and rewarding, but not particularly beginner-friendly
When the German gaming magazine GameStar reviewed Kerbal Space Program at its full release in 2015, it awarded the game a strong score of 87 out of 100. Praised were the realistic physics engine, the engaging career mode and the game’s overall depth – including a vast solar system and more than 200 unique parts. The main criticism was the steep learning curve, as the game can be tough to get into – particularly because the tutorials don’t cover all of the mechanics.
Kerbal Space Program has received strong reviews across all platforms. On Metacritic, it holds a Metascore of 88 and a User Score of 8.3. Reception on Steam is even more impressive: 95% of over 100,000 user reviews are positive.
90% discount on Steam – for the first time
Kerbal Space Program normally sells for around $40 on Steam, but until July 10 it’s available at a steep 90% discount, bringing the price down to $4. According to SteamDB, this is the first time the sci-fi simulation has been offered at such a low price.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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