On Mars*

On Mars is a complex and strategic board game that simulates the challenge of establishing and expanding a colony on Mars. Designed by Vital Lacerda, this game is known for its depth and intricate mechanics, appealing to players who enjoy a detailed and immersive strategic experience.

Game Overview:

  • Theme: Building and expanding a self-sustaining colony on Mars.
  • Objective: Develop the most advanced Martian colony by completing missions from D.O.M.E and private agendas to gain Opportunity Points (OP).

Gameplay Mechanics:

  • Dual Location Gameplay: Actions vary based on the player's location, either in orbit or on the Martian surface.
  • Resource Management: Critical focus on managing essential resources like water, air, power, and food.
  • Building and Expansion: Constructing and upgrading various facilities like mines, shelters, oxygen factories, and greenhouses.
  • Shuttle Phase: Opportunity for players to travel between the Mars colony and the space station.
  • Dependency of Structures: Buildings on Mars depend on each other, creating a complex and interlinked system.
  • Mission Completion: Game progresses through the completion of missions, adding objectives and strategic depth.

Strategy:

  • Plan and execute a long-term strategy while adapting to new challenges and opportunities.
  • Balance resource management with the expansion of the colony.
  • Optimize actions based on your location (orbit or surface).

Player Interaction:

  • Competitive yet indirectly interactive, as players work on their own strategies while keeping an eye on others’ developments.

Replayability:

  • High replay value due to variable mission goals, different strategies, and the dual-location gameplay dynamic.

Conclusion:

On Mars offers an engaging and challenging experience for players who enjoy deep strategic planning and resource management in a rich thematic setting. The game's complexity and detailed mechanics make it a top choice for players looking for a robust and immersive strategic board game experience, especially those interested in space exploration and colonization themes.

Nominated for 13 awards and won 2.

  • 1 - 4 Players
  • 90 - 150 Minutes
  • 14+ years old
  • Very hard to learn

We like On Mars so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2024

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