Kerbal Space Program, the premier space-agency simulator, has just been updated to version 0.21, bringing with it a host of graphical updates, new parts and new gameplay mechanisms.
This latest update marks the first for the game to begin bringing in features for the planned career mode, which will see the player given objectives to complete with finite funding. For now, however, the only element of the career mode is the brand new astronaut complex, part of the newly redesigned space-centre. From here one can view and hire applicants, see which of your Kerbal minions are currently on missions and view a list of the Kerbals who have died under your command, which is a particularly guilt-inducing addition.
The space-centre itself isn’t the only element of the game to benefit from a nice shiny new coat of graphical-update paint; the very landscape has changed also. Most notable of the terrain changes are the now much more impressive mountain ranges on Kerbin (the home planet where all your missions begin), and the now heavily scarred features of the Moon Mün.
As if that wasn’t enough, a major update to the stability management systems makes the flight mechanics substantially friendlier, especially for newer players. Further to these changes a number of new parts have been added, largely focusing on probes and other small ships, but also including a number of adapters and other parts which make creativity in the building process even easier than before.
This update makes the game a lot more welcoming to newcomers and adds plenty for veterans, so whether you’ve only now been drawn in by the lovely launch trailer, been following the game for some time or have the game but not played it in a while – now would be a good time to go to space.
