What do these ratings say about Terraforming Mars?

What kind of game is Terraforming Mars?

Terraforming Mars balances system and theme, giving you focused mechanics while still delivering a clear sense of meaning.

How interactive is Terraforming Mars?

Terraforming Mars offers a balanced level of interaction where you still do your own thing, but opponent decisions matter. It creates shared tension without becoming overly confrontational.

What is the presentation of Terraforming Mars like?

Terraforming Mars has a polished look that supports gameplay without overpowering it. Expect a pleasant table presence with artwork that complements the game flow.

How strategic is Terraforming Mars?

Terraforming Mars sits in a middle lane where planning matters, but you can still adapt on the fly. It offers strategic decisions without demanding exhaustive optimization every turn.

How hard is Terraforming Mars to learn?

Terraforming Mars is a more complex title that can take time to fully absorb. It is usually best for players comfortable tracking layered rules and multi-step decisions.

These ratings reflect player feedback. If it doesn’t match your experience, add your rating to help refine it.

Terraforming Mars

Draft cards to terraform Mars by raising oxygen, temperature and creating oceans.

2016 • 1–5

Average rating: 4.21
Players: 1–5
Avg time: 120 min
Age: 12+

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Overview

In Terraforming Mars, players take on the roles of corporations with the common goal of making Mars habitable, but with their own hidden agendas for profit and prestige. Players achieve this by raising the oxygen level, increasing the temperature, and creating oceans, all represented by increasing global parameters on the game board.

Players use cards to enact projects, introducing plant life, animals, cities, and infrastructure onto the Martian surface. Cards are purchased through a draft, requiring players to make strategic decisions about which technologies and resources to pursue. Throughout the game, players earn victory points not only by terraforming Mars, but also by achieving milestones and funding awards, making for a competitive race to shape the future of the red planet.