Terraforming Mars is one of those games that seems daunting at first but quickly reveals itself to be an absolute masterpiece. We’ve had countless sessions where we’ve fought for corporate dominance, struggled with resource management, and cheered as we saw Mars slowly transform from a barren wasteland into a habitable planet. It’s a game that rewards strategic planning, offers immense replayability, and provides that satisfying sense of progression that keeps you coming back for more.
Key Facts
- Players: 1-5
- Playing Time: 120-180 minutes
- Designer: Jacob Fryxelius
- Publisher: FryxGames (UK distribution by Asmodee)
- Type of Game: Strategy, Economic, Engine-Building
- Complexity: Medium-Heavy
So, How Do You Play Terraforming Mars?
At its core, Terraforming Mars is an economic engine-building game where each player controls a corporation tasked with making Mars more hospitable. You’ll be competing to raise three key global parameters – temperature, oxygen levels, and ocean coverage, all while managing your resources and funding various projects.
The game plays out over several generations, with each round consisting of:
- Research Phase – Players purchase project cards that will help them in future rounds.
- Action Phase – This is where the magic happens. You’ll spend resources to play cards, build cities, place forests, and trigger other effects to advance your goals.
- Production Phase – Each player gains resources based on their corporate board and played cards.
- Endgame Scoring – Once Mars is fully terraformed, players calculate points based on their contributions, built structures, and any additional card bonuses.
The beauty of Terraforming Mars is that there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. Some players might focus on massive energy production to fund heat-based projects, while others lean into greenery and city placement for late-game bonuses. It’s an intricate dance of efficiency and adaptation.
The Components – Functional, If a Little Dull
Let’s be honest, Terraforming Mars is not winning any awards for artistic flair. The cards have an almost retro educational-science-book look, and the player boards are thin, which can be a bit annoying when tracking resources. However, functionally, everything works well. The hexagonal map is clear, the tokens are easy to manage, and the game’s layout is intuitive enough once you’ve played a round or two.
If you want to upgrade the experience, there are plenty of third-party overlays and upgraded components available that can help elevate the look and feel of the game.
Playing at Different Player Counts – Does It Hold Up?
- Solo Mode: Surprisingly solid. It plays like a timed puzzle where you must terraform Mars within a set number of rounds. It’s a great way to practice strategies or just get a game in when friends aren’t available.
- Two Players: A more tactical, head-to-head experience. Less competition over space on the board but more strategic maneuvering.
- Three to Five Players: This is where Terraforming Mars shines. More competition for board space, more interactions, and a greater variety of strategies in play. However, with five players, downtime can become a factor.
In our experience, three or four players strike the perfect balance between depth and pace.
Expansions – Are They Worth It?
Terraforming Mars has several expansions, each adding a unique twist to the base game:
- Prelude – The best expansion, hands down. It speeds up the early game by giving players strong starting bonuses.
- Venus Next – Introduces Venus as another terraforming goal. A nice addition, but not essential.
- Colonies – Adds trade hubs, allowing for new strategic options. Fun but not a must-have.
- Turmoil – Introduces politics, making the game even more dynamic (and slightly longer).
- Hellas & Elysium – Just a new map, but a great way to keep the game fresh.
If you’re looking for just one expansion, Prelude is the way to go.
Digital Versions – Taking Terraforming Mars Online
Terraforming Mars has a solid digital adaptation available on Steam, iOS, and Android. The implementation is functional, with AI opponents and online play, but it’s not the most polished board game app out there. Still, if you love the game but don’t always have a group available, it’s a great way to get a fix.
Board Game Arena also offers an online version, allowing you to play asynchronously or in real-time with others. If you prefer a more structured, easy-to-manage experience, this is a fantastic option.
Similar Games You Might Like
If Terraforming Mars has captured your imagination, here are a few other games worth checking out:
- Ark Nova – Another heavy engine-builder, but with a focus on building a zoo instead of terraforming a planet.
- Underwater Cities – Feels similar in complexity, but uses worker placement mechanics alongside the engine-building aspects.
- Gaia Project – A more complex take on the space colonisation theme, with deep strategic gameplay and a different approach to planetary development.
- Race for the Galaxy – A much faster, card-driven game with a similar feel of economic and technological progression.
Final Thoughts
Terraforming Mars is an absolute classic. It’s one of those games that rewards repeated plays, strategic thinking, and long-term planning. Yes, it’s a bit fiddly, and the components could be better, but once you get into the flow of the game, none of that really matters. It’s an experience that keeps delivering, whether you’re playing solo, with friends, or online.
If you’re looking for a deep, engaging board game that offers immense replayability, Terraforming Mars should absolutely be on your shelf.