Terraforming Mars Review
Terraforming Mars, designed by Jacob Fryxelius and published by FryxGames in 2016, stands as one of the most acclaimed strategy board games of the modern era. Players take on the roles of competing corporations working to make Mars habitable through massive terraforming projects.
The game challenges 1-5 players to raise the temperature, increase oxygen levels, and create oceans across the red planet’s surface. With over 200 unique project cards and multiple paths to victory, each session delivers a fresh strategic experience.
This review examines gameplay mechanics, components, strategy depth, and whether Terraforming Mars deserves its place among the best strategy board games available today.
Terraforming Mars Overview
Terraforming Mars places players in the 2400s as corporate executives managing massive planetary transformation projects. The World Government on Earth sponsors these corporations to make Mars suitable for human habitation.
Players compete for victory points earned through contributing to terraforming efforts, building infrastructure throughout the solar system, and completing various achievements. The game ends when all three global parameters reach their target levels.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Jacob Fryxelius |
| Publisher | FryxGames |
| Year Released | 2016 |
| Players | 1-5 Players |
| Age Range | 12+ |
| Playing Time | 120 Minutes |
| Game Type | Strategy, Economic, Civilization Building |
| Complexity Rating | 3.27 / 5 |
What’s in the Box
Terraforming Mars includes a substantial collection of high-quality components. The game board represents Mars surface with 61 hexagonal spaces where players place ocean, city, and greenery tiles.
Component quality meets industry standards with thick cardboard tiles and clear resource cubes. The metallic-coated resource cubes add visual appeal and durability.
| Component | Quantity/Details |
|---|---|
| Project Cards | 200+ unique cards |
| Corporation Cards | Multiple corporation options |
| Game Board | Mars surface with hex grid |
| Player Boards | 5 individual player mats |
| Resource Cubes | Transparent and metallic-coated cubes |
| Tiles | Ocean, greenery, and city tiles |
| Player Markers | Colored markers for tracking |
| First Player Token | Token to track turn order |
Pros and Cons
Terraforming Mars delivers exceptional strategic depth but requires commitment from players. Here’s an honest assessment of strengths and weaknesses.
Pros
- Over 200 unique project cards create enormous variety and replayability
- Multiple viable strategies keep each game fresh and unpredictable
- Engine-building mechanics provide satisfying progression throughout the game
- Thematic integration connects gameplay decisions to real terraforming concepts
- Scales well from 1-5 players with solid solo mode
- Awards and milestones add competitive tension and alternative scoring paths
Cons
- Two-hour playtime demands significant time commitment
- Card draw luck can occasionally create imbalanced starting positions
- Downtime increases with higher player counts
- Component artwork quality varies across different card types
- Learning curve requires multiple plays to grasp optimal strategies
How to Play Terraforming Mars
Setup begins with placing the game board, distributing player materials, and dealing corporation and project cards. Each player selects their corporation and chooses which starting project cards to purchase at 3 MegaCredits each.
Gameplay proceeds through generations, each representing one complete round. The first generation skips the research phase since players already have starting hands.
Generation Structure
Player order shifts clockwise at the start of each generation. During the research phase, players draw four project cards and decide which to purchase for their hand.
The action phase forms the core gameplay. Players take turns performing 1-2 actions until everyone passes. Available actions include playing cards from hand, claiming milestones, funding awards, using standard projects, converting plants to greenery, converting heat to raise temperature, and activating card abilities.
Production phase concludes each generation. Players collect resources based on their terraform rating and production parameters shown on their player boards.
Winning the Game
The game ends when temperature reaches +8 degrees Celsius, oxygen reaches 14%, and nine ocean tiles cover the board. Players then calculate final scores combining terraform rating, tiles placed, awards claimed, and victory points from cards.
The player with the highest total score wins. Ties break in favor of the player with the most MegaCredits remaining.
Where to Buy Terraforming Mars
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Standard retail price, Prime shipping available |
| Local Game Stores | Support local retailers, often provide demo copies |
| Game Nerdz | Competitive pricing, specialty board game retailer |
| Cardhaus Games | Discount pricing for board game enthusiasts |
| Noble Knight Games | New and used copies available |
| Board Game Arena | Digital version for online play |
Terraforming Mars Game Mechanics
Terraforming Mars combines several core mechanisms into a cohesive system. Understanding these mechanics reveals the game’s strategic depth.
Card Drafting and Hand Management
Players constantly balance buying cards against playing them. Each project card costs MegaCredits to purchase and additional resources to play. Cards provide immediate bonuses, ongoing effects, or production increases across six resource types.
Cards feature requirements based on global parameters. As temperature, oxygen, and oceans increase, more powerful cards become playable. This creates a natural progression arc throughout each game.
Resource Management and Engine Building
Six resource types drive all actions: MegaCredits, Steel, Titanium, Plants, Energy, and Heat. Players track production and current resources on individual player boards.
Energy converts to heat each generation. Heat converts to temperature increases. Plants convert to greenery tiles. Building an efficient resource engine determines success, similar to mechanics found in economic strategy games.
Tile Placement and Area Control
The hex grid board creates spatial strategy. Cities generate income when adjacent to ocean tiles. Greenery tiles provide points and benefit from city adjacency. Ocean placement follows specific board restrictions.
Players compete for optimal tile positions. Blocking opponents or securing bonuses requires careful spatial planning throughout the game.
Terraform Rating System
Terraform Rating serves dual purposes. It tracks victory points and determines income each generation. Every time players raise temperature, increase oxygen, or place ocean tiles, their TR increases.
This elegant system rewards both immediate actions and long-term planning. Players must balance immediate card plays against actions that boost their TR and future income.
Who Should Play Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars suits players who enjoy complex strategy and long-term planning. Groups comfortable with two-hour sessions and medium-heavy rule sets find the most satisfaction.
The game rewards repeated plays. Learning card combinations and optimal strategies takes several sessions. Players seeking quick, light experiences should look elsewhere.
Ideal Player Types
Strategy enthusiasts appreciate the multiple paths to victory. Engine builders enjoy watching their production increase over time. Theme-focused players connect with the scientific concepts behind terraforming.
Solo players benefit from the included solo variant. The competitive format also works well for serious gamers who enjoy calculating optimal moves.
When to Skip Terraforming Mars
Casual groups seeking quick gameplay should avoid this title. The rules complexity and playtime exceed typical gateway game thresholds.
Players frustrated by card draw variance may struggle with occasional imbalanced starts. Groups sensitive to downtime should stick to lower player counts or consider alternatives.
Similar Games Worth Considering
Wingspan offers engine building with lower complexity and shorter playtime. Ark Nova provides similar tableau building in a zoo management theme. Scythe delivers area control with asymmetric powers.
Race for the Galaxy uses similar card mechanics in a faster format. Players familiar with these titles transition smoothly into Terraforming Mars, which has earned recognition as one of the most popular strategy titles in recent years.
FAQ
Is Terraforming Mars good for beginners?
Terraforming Mars presents a steep learning curve for complete board game beginners. The rules complexity and two-hour playtime make it better suited as a next-step game after mastering simpler strategy titles. Players comfortable with games like Catan or Ticket to Ride can handle the transition with proper rules explanation.
How long does Terraforming Mars take to play?
A typical game runs 120 minutes with experienced players. First games often extend to 150-180 minutes as players learn card interactions and optimal strategies. Lower player counts reduce playtime, while five-player games sometimes exceed two and a half hours.
What’s the best player count for Terraforming Mars?
Three to four players provides the optimal experience. This count balances competitive interaction with manageable downtime between turns. Two-player games work well for couples but reduce competition for board space. Five players extends playtime significantly and increases downtime.
Is Terraforming Mars worth buying?
Terraforming Mars justifies its price through exceptional replayability and strategic depth. The base game includes over 200 unique cards and multiple viable strategies. Players who enjoy engine-building mechanics and medium-heavy strategy games find tremendous value. Casual groups seeking lighter fare should consider alternatives first.
What games are similar to Terraforming Mars?
Race for the Galaxy shares card-driven engine building in a space theme with faster gameplay. Wingspan offers accessible engine building with beautiful components. Ark Nova provides similar tableau building complexity in a zoo management setting. Underwater Cities combines card play with worker placement in an ocean colonization theme.
