Surviving Mars: Relaunched Research & Services Surviving Mars: Relaunched Game Walkthrough Wiki

1. Separate Research generation from technology selection

Labs, sponsors and outsourcing generate Research, which is converted into Tech Points. Each ordinary technology costs one point, but each new point requires more Research than the previous one. A distant technology is not more expensive merely because it is farther from the center; reaching it can require intermediate unlocks and later points. Keep generation, accumulated points and route length visible when comparing plans. They explain different parts of the time and opportunity cost of a research choice.

Sources: Released Services & Science rules / Research-system design explanation

2. Trace adjacency before adding a distant goal

Ordinary technologies must connect to already researched nodes. Search finds names and descriptions but does not remove that restriction. Inspect the route and the intermediate nodes before committing to a remote Wonder. Anomalies can unlock some off-path technologies within a capped radius, while Breakthrough and story technologies have separate rules. Do not turn an exceptional unlock into a claim that every node can be purchased anywhere on the grid whenever a Tech Point is available.

Sources: Released Services & Science rules

3. Use the Wishlist as a conditional plan

Wishlist entries are automatically researched when points and required connections become available. It is not an unrestricted queue whose visual order overrides the grid. The update offers removal, moving an entry to the top and clearing the list, rather than freely rearranging every entry. Review it after a change in colony priorities. If no technology is waiting, points can accumulate; Research generation is not lost merely because you have paused your choice of the next unlock.

Sources: Released Services & Science rules / Research-system design explanation

4. Treat an Initiative as another entry point

Initiatives open access to sections of the board when their conditions are met. They are not ordinary technologies purchased with a point. Read the actual condition, which can involve production, population or policy, and compare it with the direct path you would otherwise research. The developer presents these as alternative strategies, not mandatory steps for every colony. Avoid assigning a universal numeric threshold to an Initiative without its current displayed requirement and the mission conditions that affect it.

Sources: Research-system design explanation / Released Services & Science rules

5. Read service categories before counting buildings

Buildings of the same service type form a pool. Capacity below the applicable dome population reduces the stat contribution proportionally, and some categories only apply to children or adults. Two different-looking buildings can therefore contribute to the same category, while a service for children does not automatically cover adults. Check the Services breakdown for the actual coverage. A count of buildings alone is not enough to explain the colony benefit or identify which service is deficient.

Sources: Released Services & Science rules / Service-system design explanation

6. Compare shifts and performance as separate levers

Open shifts determine capacity, while performance scales the stat effect of a working service. Fully staffing a shift and adding another open shift address different limitations. Inspect both values before constructing another copy of the building. Spare capacity can serve connected domes without a penalty, giving Passage Hubs a role in shared layouts. That does not mean an unconnected neighboring dome receives the benefit, or that spare nominal capacity compensates for poor performance in the service providing it.

Sources: Released Services & Science rules / Service-system design explanation

7. Distinguish target changes from current colonist stats

Service effects and other modifiers change target Comfort and Morale; actual values move toward those targets during rest. Workplaces also drain some worker stats, and traits and residences vary between people. Check those sources rather than concluding that equal service coverage forces equal colonist outcomes. Visits remain relevant to resource use, law attendance counters and per-visit bonuses. The new aggregate model removes one dependency for the main benefit, not every consequence of entering a service building.

Sources: Released Services & Science rules / Service-system design explanation

8. Read later corrections before diagnosing a failing layout

Patch 1.1.1 improves the Services rollover and changes shortage handling to staged consumer shutdown by priority. It also clarifies that Last Sol statistics mean the last three shifts, rather than the previous calendar day. Compare the same time window and installed version when testing whether a service layout improved. A supply shortage, an understaffed shift and insufficient service capacity can all reduce the result, but they require different corrections. Diagnose the displayed limitation before changing the research plan.

Sources: Released 1.1.1 corrections

Related guides

Sources checked October 14, 2026. Published facts are linked beside their explanations. Planning and practice suggestions are editorial advice rather than verified optimal builds.