Terraforming Mars (EN)

Terraforming Mars (EN)

Terraforming Mars (EN)

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Product description

In the 2400s, mankind begins to terraform the planet Mars. Giant corporations, sponsored by the World Government on Earth, initiate huge projects to raise the temperature, the oxygen level, and the ocean coverage until the environment is habitable. In Terraforming Mars, you play one of those corporations and work together in the terraforming process, but compete for getting victory points that are awarded not only for your contribution to the terraforming, but also for advancing human infrastructure throughout the solar system, and doing other commendable things.

The players acquire unique project cards (from over two hundred different ones) by buying them to their hand. The projects (cards) can represent anything from introducing plant life or animals, hurling asteroids at the surface, building cities, to mining the moons of Jupiter and establishing greenhouse gas industries to heat up the atmosphere. The cards can give you immediate bonuses, as well as increasing your production of different resources. Many cards also have requirements and they become playable when the temperature, oxygen, or ocean coverage increases enough. Buying cards is costly, so there is a balance between buying cards (3 megacredits per card) and actually playing them (which can cost anything between 0 to 41 megacredits, depending on the project). Standard Projects are always available to complement your cards.

Your basic income, as well as your basic score, is based on your Terraform Rating (starting at 20), which increases every time you raise one of the three global parameters. However, your income is complemented with your production, and you also get VPs from many other sources.

Each player keeps track of their production and resources on their player boards, and the game uses six types of resources: MegaCredits, Steel, Titanium, Plants, Energy, and Heat. On the game board, you compete for the best places for your city tiles, ocean tiles, and greenery tiles. You also compete for different Milestones and Awards worth many VPs. Each round is called a generation (guess why) and consists of the following phases:

1) Player order shifts clockwise.
2) Research phase: All players buy cards from four privately drawn.
3) Action phase: Players take turns doing 1-2 actions from these options: Playing a card, claiming a Milestone, funding an Award, using a Standard project, converting plant into greenery tiles (and raising oxygen), converting heat into a temperature raise, and using the action of a card in play. The turn continues around the table until all players pass.
4) Production phase: Players get resources according to their terraform rating and production parameters.

When the three global parameters (temperature, oxygen, ocean) have all reached their goal, the terraforming is complete, and the game ends after that generation. Count your Terraform Rating and other VPs to determine the winning corporation!


Product specifications

Language: English

Publisher: Stronghold Games

SKU: SG6005

EAN: 696859265808

Categories: Expert Games | Recommended Expert Games

How long is the game version for 2 players (in Terraforming Mars) and how suitable is it for 2 players?

"Terraforming Mars works just as well with 2 players as it does with 4 players. The game duration depends on the players' decision-making speed for each turn. With 2 players, you can expect a game duration of approximately 90 minutes."

Can you play Terraforming Mars solo?

Yes, there is a solo mode for the game.

What is the print edition and quality of this version of Terraforming Mars?

The material quality is the current original state from the publisher and is reproduced exactly as it is in the box. In some forums, there are entries from players who create their own parts with 3D printers for a customized game experience.

Are there expansions or additional packs for "Terraforming Mars"?

Yes, there are expansions such as "Terraforming Mars: Prelude," "Terraforming Mars: Venus Next," and "Terraforming Mars: Turmoil." Each expansion enhances the game and brings in new content.

Components of Terraforming Mars:

  • 1 game board (depicting Mars)
  • 5 corporation cards
  • 208 project cards
  • 17 solo cards
  • 200 player markers (in 5 colors)
  • 200 resource cubes (copper, silver, gold)
  • 3 game board markers (temperature, oxygen, and generation)
  • 9 ocean tiles
  • 60 greenery/city tiles
  • Various tokens (including forest, city, special tiles, and others)
  • 1 first player token
  • Rulebook

Setup:

  1. Game Board: Place the game board in the center of the table.
  2. Corporation Cards: Each player receives two corporation cards and chooses one to play, discarding the other.
  3. Player Markers and Cubes: Each player chooses a color, takes the corresponding markers, and places them on the board’s parameter tracks.
  4. Project Cards: Shuffle the project cards and deal 10 to each player. Players choose which cards to keep, discarding the rest.
  5. Starting Resources: Each player gains starting resources based on their chosen corporation card.
  6. Initial Setup: Place the temperature, oxygen, and generation markers on the game board.

Objective:

The goal is to score the most points by the end of the game, achieved through terraforming Mars and completing various projects.

Gameplay:

Generations: The game is played over a series of generations. Each generation consists of four phases:

I. Research Phase: Draw 4 project cards, and each player may buy any number of these cards for 3 megacredits (MC) each.

II. Action Phase: Players take turns performing one or two actions until all players pass. Actions can include multiple steps like playing a card from your hand or using a standard project.

III. Production Phase: Players generate resources based on their production levels.

IV. End of Generation: The first player token moves clockwise, and a new generation begins.

Actions and Projects:

  • Playing Cards: Pay the cost and follow the instructions on the card. Cards can provide immediate benefits, ongoing effects, or additional actions.
  • Standard Projects: Use basic actions available to all players, such as building cities, forests, and other developments.
  • Milestones and Awards: Achieve specific goals and fund awards for end-game scoring.

Resources:

  • Megacredits (MC): Currency used to play cards and perform actions.
  • Steel and Titanium: Used to reduce the cost of building cards.
  • Plants: Can be converted into greenery tiles to increase oxygen.
  • Energy: Used for various actions and converted into heat at the end of each generation.
  • Heat: Can be used to raise the temperature of Mars.

Winning the Game:

  • The game ends when Mars has been fully terraformed: 9 ocean tiles are placed, the temperature reaches +8°C, and the oxygen level reaches 14%.
  • Players tally their points, which are earned from:
    Terraforming Rating (TR), Victory Points (VP) from cards, Greenery and city tiles on the board and milestones & awards.
  • The player with the highest score wins.

Special Rules:

  • Solo Mode: Play against the game itself with a specific set of rules and objectives.
  • Corporate Era: Adds additional cards and rules for a longer, more complex game.
  • Draft Variant: Adds a card drafting phase to increase strategic planning.

Optional Rules:

  • House Rules: Players can add their own variations for unique challenges.
  • Expansion Packs: Various expansions (e.g., Prelude, Colonies, Turmoil) add new elements and strategies to the game.

These rules provide a basic framework for playing Terraforming Mars, making it an engaging and strategic game for players. The excitement of Terraforming Mars comes from the complex interplay of resource management, project planning, and competitive strategy to transform the planet and achieve victory.

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
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R
Ruben C.
You cannot go wrong buying this game

Terraforming Mars had several reasons for me not to like it: very simple components, a lot of iconography, relatively expensive for just a card game, you need to know the cards to win, and I even played it and I didn't love it.
It turns out I didn't understand the game.
If it is your first time, you need to leave your preconceived expectations away and let TM unfold in front of your eyes. You'll understand.
Since then it has become my number 1 game. I played more than 200 times, and the components are absolutely perfect for their purpose, the iconography just makes sense, newbies have won games against me several times so no need to be an expert to win, and the game is worth every cent.
At its core is a hand management, engine-building game. Highly interactive, with fierce competition for terrain control, very thematic, and engaging. Playing with all expansions it takes 2h for two players that know the game. A bit more if you are new.
I strongly recommend playing with the drafting variant. It is what gives the game a good chunk of its strategic appeal.
This game has been among the top 10 of all board games for six years in a row. Definitely a must-have!

P
Philipp G.
Terraforming Mars - An engine building card & board game

Terraforming Mars offers players to play as large corporations that aim to terraform Mars for future human colonisation. In it, you will compete with your fellow players to do the most terraforming by acquiring various cards and resources to help you terraform even faster. It's always an addictive feeling as you build up your "engine" to do more and more things.

Definitely try out this game if you found games such as Settlers of Catan interesting.

K
K. G.
A classic

First board game I bought, I love it. Put it a lot of time on the table with different persons. It's main problem is it's length (first game tooks me 6h, now a normal two player game takes around 4h(using all extensions)). I advise to buy the prelude extension to accelerate the start of the game. All extensions are great, Venus is my least favorite.

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