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Release Date

2016

Game Designer
Jacob Fryxelius
Publisher
FryxGames
Theme

Sci-Fi

HeartLeave a Review

Terraforming Mars

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Area Control
Area Control
hand management
Hand Management
Resource Management
Resource Management
tableau building
Tableau Building

Game DNA

Complexity

SimpleDense
CasualIntense
StraightforwardComplex

Experience

PassiveInteractive
MinimalOpen-Ended
LuckSkill
FrequentlyRarely
SolitaryEngaging
DryImmersive

Value for Money

BasicPremium
RarelyVariable

Corporations are competing to transform Mars into a habitable planet by spending vast resources, and using innovative technology to raise temperature, create a breathable atmosphere, and make oceans of water.

Playing Time

120 - 140 Minutes

Player Count

1 - 5 Players

Terraforming Mars is a strategy game where players take on the roles of competing corporations working to transform the red planet into a habitable environment for humanity. Resource Management: In Terraforming Mars, players start with a unique corporation and a limited amount of resources. The game is played over several generations, and each generation consists of players taking turns. On your turn, you perform actions like playing cards from your hand, which represent various projects, technologies, and actions that contribute to terraforming Mars. These cards require resources such as plants, energy, or heat, which you must manage carefully. Terraforming Mars: The primary goal of the game is to increase the three global parameters – temperature, oxygen, and ocean levels – to make Mars habitable. You do this by strategically playing cards that represent environmental projects, like forests, cities, and ocean tiles. These projects raise the global parameters and earn you points. Additionally, you can claim milestones and awards for achieving specific milestones or excelling in certain aspects of the game. Scoring and End Game: Terraforming Mars is a race to earn the most points by the end of the game. Players accumulate points through card effects, completed projects, milestones, and awards. The game ends when the global parameters have reached their required levels, and players finish the current generation. The player with the most points wins, with additional points awarded for achieving specific milestones and awards. The strategic decisions, resource management, and race to terraform Mars make the game an engaging and satisfying experience for strategy enthusiasts. What makes this game stand out as unique? The end game trigger in Terraforming Mars is unique because it’s driven by the players themselves and their collective efforts to transform Mars into a habitable planet. Unlike many board games with a fixed number of rounds, Terraforming Mars continues until the players collectively achieve the game’s objectives by raising the temperature, oxygen, and ocean levels. This creates a dynamic and competitive atmosphere, as players must carefully balance their individual strategies with the race to reach these global parameters. The end game trigger adds tension and excitement, making each game unpredictable and emphasizing the importance of strategic decision-making to maximize your chances of victory.

Reviews

Luke's avatar
Luke
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An extremely well designed tableau builder. What it lacks on component quality it makes up for in replayability and new and interesting choices in each and every game.

Jake P's avatar
Jake P
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Fantastic game. Always fun to play and lots of replayable strategies. 🔴 Con: This game is a letdown in production quality. The standards of components in board gaming are so high nowadays with double ply, high quality pieces, and gorgeous artwork. TM doesn’t have these things and for the price it’s a bit shocking really. You’re paying for the games high reputation, not the components which is a shame.

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