Terraforming Mars Board Game (B Grade)

Overview

‘Terraform’ is a verb that describes the transformation of a planet. The goal is to resemble Planet Earth. Now that you are aware of the concept of ‘terraforming’, it is easier to grasp the objective of the much-loved board game.

Mars, as a planet, is unreceptive. With the help of this game, the players can change that perspective. It is not a new game as such as it was released in the year 2016. Jacob Fryxalius took an innovative thought and designed the thought-provoking board game for kids and elderly people. Anyone above the age of 12 can play this intriguing board game provided they grasp the rules.

The game is fit for one to five players, and they have full control over the revolutionary corporations. The whole idea is to modify the climate of Mars to make it pleasant for human beings. All through the game, the players are spending money on actions that will make the planet human-friendly. These actions include harvesting resources, and building things.

Objective of the Game

Everyone in the game is working towards one goal – making lasting changes on Planet Mars. Raising the temperature of the surface to increasing the level of oxygen – all these are collective goals of the players.

At the end of the day, it will benefit the humanity and make Mars a ‘habitable’ place. Even though there is a collective goal, but the players try to score victory points to win the game. Each player in the game is a separate corporation and their aim is to earn big money. The whole idea is colonise the planet with the help of different strategies. Plus, you need a good terraform rating to become a winner.

The game is scientific in nature, but is quite understandable when you move forward. Your victory points and the amount of cities and greeneries you are able to place on Mars will decide your fate. Would you win? Nonetheless, any player would have a gala time while playing the game.

How to play Terraforming Mars?

In this game, the players control a corporation, and buy and play cards describing different projects that directly or indirectly contribute to the terraforming process. In order to win, the player has to accumulate a good terraform rating and many victory points. Victory points are awarded for anything enhancing mankind’s grip on the solar system.

Time is measured in generations, and each generation consists of a Turn Order phase, a Research phase, an Action phase, and a Production phase. Players access new cards during the Research phase, take turns doing various actions in the Action phase, and produce resources and gain income during the Production phase. The game takes around 2hrs to play in total.

The game ends when there is enough oxygen to breathe, oceans enough to allow Earth-like weather, and the temperature is well above freezing. It will then be possible, if not comfortable, to live on the surface of Mars.

If you wish to win, complete three of the important terraforming conditions:

• Raise the oxygen level in the atmosphere to 14%
• The temperature should rise from -30 to at least 8 degrees Celsius.
• 9% of Mar’s surface should get covered with the ocean.

The Terraforming Mars game is played over ‘generations.’ One generation game starts when the players start drawing cards. Then, each of the players take turns to perform the much-needed actions. Once the players have finished performing different actions, they collect the resources and income. That’s  how the next generation game begins!

Once all the three terraforming conditions have been met, the game ends.

All the players count their victory points. Whoever has the highest score will win the game. We made it sound quite simple, but there is a legit rule book that comes with the product. Read it thoroughly before you start playing!

What’s included? (there’s a lot!)

• Game board
• 5 player boards
• 17 corporation cards
• 208 project cards
• 8 reference cards
• 200 player markers (transparent plastic cubes, 5 colours)
• 200 resource markers (opaque plastic cubes in gold, silver and copper)
• 3 game board markers
• 9 ocean tiles
• 60 greenery/city tiles
• 11 special tiles
• A first player tile
• Rules booklet

 

Takeaway

Through the game, you will be performing commendable actions. Perhaps you may not be able to do them in real, but the knowledge you gain out of the game is praise-worthy.

Yes, the game is scientific, but it enhances the knowledge of someone who barely understands the meaning of ‘giving life’ to a planet. What if there was life on Mars? The problem of overpopulation could reduce, and human beings would have another place to create dwellings.

The Terraforming Mars board game is refreshing, scientific, and intriguing.

Play it with your kids to enhance their knowledge. It is important to let kids know about the value of water bodies, oxygen, and planting trees.

So, get the game now and use your free time in a constructive manner.

Weight	1.7 kg
Dimensions	30 × 30 × 7.5 cm
Game Type	Main Game