In the 25th century, humanity embarks on an ambitious mission to transform Mars into a habitable world. Supported by Earth’s global government, powerful corporations launch massive initiatives to elevate the planet’s temperature, oxygen levels, and ocean coverage. Terraforming Mars casts players as the heads of these corporations, collaborating to reshape the Martian environment while vying for victory points (VPs) earned through contributions to the terraforming effort, expansion of solar system infrastructure, and other notable achievements.
Players strategically acquire over 200 unique project cards, purchasing them into their hands to unlock immediate bonuses, boost resource production, or activate effects once planetary conditions meet specific thresholds. Balancing card acquisition with their deployment is crucial, as costs add up quickly. Standard Projects offer reliable, always-accessible actions to supplement your strategy. Your corporation’s income and foundational VP score stem from its Terraform Rating, but production capabilities enhance earnings, and VPs flow from diverse sources like awards, milestones, and infrastructure projects.
Track resources—MegaCredits, Steel, Titanium, Plants, Energy, and Heat—on your player board, while competing on the central board to secure prime locations for cities, oceans, and greenery. Vie for Milestones and fund Awards to claim substantial VP rewards. Each round (called a generation) unfolds in phases:
- Player order rotates clockwise.
- Research Phase: Players privately draft and purchase cards from four drawn options.
- Action Phase: Participants take turns performing 1-2 actions per turn—playing cards, claiming Milestones, funding Awards, using Standard Projects, converting Plants into greenery (raising oxygen), turning Heat into temperature increases, or activating card abilities. Turns cycle until all players pass.
- Production Phase: Resources are generated based on Terraform Ratings and production levels.
The game concludes when Mars’ temperature, oxygen, and oceans reach their terraformed targets. Final scores combine Terraform Ratings with bonus VPs from completed projects, milestones, and awards, crowning the corporation that best propelled humanity’s interplanetary future.
