First-Person Mars Geological Sampling Game

I’m building a small, first-person experience that places the player in the boots of a field geologist on Mars. The core loop is simple: roam a realistic Martian terrain, collect rock and soil samples, run quick in-game analyses, and decide which specimens are scientifically valuable and which are junk. Because exploration is the main pillar, I need expansive but navigable landscapes, believable mineral formations, and subtle environmental storytelling that rewards thorough observation.

To keep immersion high, the art direction must stay photo-real: authentic color palettes, physically based materials, and accurate lighting that sells the thin atmosphere and harsh sunlight. While there is no combat or arcade-style action, small interactive puzzles—identifying strata, operating sampling equipment, powering remote drones—will break up the traversal and reinforce the theme.

The aesthetic should reflect futuristic space visuals with machinery repurposed for brutal rock movement in a post-apocalyptic setting. Think along the lines of an Atreides theme from Dune.

Here’s what I’d like delivered in the first milestone:
• A playable grey-box level (Unreal or Unity, your choice) in first-person, featuring a kilometre-wide terrain chunk, basic movement, and a working sampling tool.
• Three rock types with placeholder textures and a simple “lab scanner” UI that marks each specimen as correct or incorrect based on hidden properties.
• Clean, commented project files so mechanics can be expanded later.

If you love environmental design, geology-flavoured game mechanics, and realistic shaders, let’s talk about bringing the Red Planet to life.