If you’ve always wanted a science fiction tabletop game, Terraforming Mars is a great entry to start with. This premium strategy game from Asmodee Digital puts you in charge of a corporation locked in an arms race against other entities. You are tasked with launching ambitious scientific projects to support and create life on Mars. Develop the atmosphere, plant crops, and colonize the Red Planet.

Based on the level of gameplay and visual quality, Terraforming Mars feels like a cross between Sid Meier’s Civilization VI and Dune: Spice Wars. Be warned, though, that the game has a steep learning curve.

Explore the future

One interesting aspect about Terraforming Mars is that it is largely based on actual science, although some of them are understandably stretched. It introduces concepts to the player about how it might be possible to reshape Mars to become a second Earth. It makes the game fascinating especially because its game ideas are something so grounded that it becomes exciting to see how it plays out.

The game also features a hexagonal grid and uses standard tabletop elements. You draw cards that will dictate what moves and technologies are available for you. Also, as mentioned, the game is technical and has a steep learning curve at first.  For newcomers to the genre, it might take some time before you play it effectively and appreciate what it offers.

While the concept is promising, the game suffers from a number of issues. First is the controls, there are multiple instances where the user interface doesn’t respond well and even causes the entire game to freeze. There are also game mechanics, like the “pay with resources,” that players report to cause adverse effects such as totally wiping out the player resources.

A promising adaptation

Overall, Terraforming Mars remains a promising adaptation of the popular sci-fi tabletop game. It can even reach new heights once the developers deploy the necessary fixes for the bugs that undermine what a great game it actually is. The presentation of concepts feels immersive and feasible, and the strategy is complex and intriguing. It may have issues, still we recommend you check this one out.