Are you a fan of Terraforming Mars, the epic sci-fi game that has captivated players around the world? If you’ve spent countless hours raising the temperature, increasing oxygen levels, and building cities on the red planet, you might be craving more sci-fi adventures. Luckily, there are plenty of other games that will satisfy your craving for space exploration and strategic gameplay. In this article, we’ll take a look at 16 fantastic games like Terraforming Mars that will transport you to new worlds and challenge your strategic thinking. Whether you’re looking for a quick card game or a complex cooperative experience, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Table of Contents
1. Pocket Mars: Compact Space Exploration
If you love the space exploration and planet-settling themes of Terraforming Mars, look no further than Pocket Mars. Designed by Michał Jagodziński, this 1-4 player micro-game offers a quick and portable experience that packs a punch. In Pocket Mars, players take on the role of architects tasked with developing Mars’ infrastructure and populating the planet.
Just like in Terraforming Mars, the key to success lies in playing project cards from your hand strategically. As you build your structures and ship people from Earth to Mars, you’ll compete with other players to become the most successful architect on the red planet. With its compact size and solo mode option, Pocket Mars is an excellent choice for both casual and dedicated gamers.
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2. First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet
For a more immersive and cooperative experience, consider First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet by Ignacy Trzewiczek. This complex board game is the sci-fi sequel to Trzewiczek’s popular Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island. In First Martians, 1-4 players take on the role of the first humans to reach Mars and must work together to survive in its hostile environment.
The game features a variety of scenarios of increasing difficulty, challenging players to overcome obstacles and make tough decisions to ensure their mission’s success. With an integrated app that generates events on the planet, First Martians offers a unique and interactive gameplay experience. Whether you play solo or with friends, this game will immerse you in the thrilling world of Martian exploration.
3. Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia
If you’re looking for a game that combines sci-fi themes with strategic city-building, Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia is an excellent choice. Designed by Jamey Stegmaier and Alan Stone, this 2-6 player board game takes place in a dystopian city called Euphoria. Players compete to establish authority over the city by constructing markets, digging tunnels, and fulfilling secret missions.
Your workers, represented by dice, have only known this dystopia, but their growing awareness of a better world might lead them to rebel against you. Balancing the skills of your workers with their increasing knowledge is key to winning this unique and rewarding game. With its rich world-building and race-to-the-finish gameplay, Euphoria will keep you engaged for hours on end.
4. Power Grid (Recharged): Control the Energy Market
In Terraforming Mars, you take on the role of powerful CEOs competing for control of the red planet. If you enjoy the economic aspects of the game, you’ll love Power Grid (Recharged) by Friedemann Friese. This 2-6 player board game challenges players to become power suppliers and dominate the energy market. You’ll bid on newly built power plants, acquire raw materials, and navigate the ever-changing energy landscape.
As you develop more sustainable power sources, your options for expansion will increase. Power Grid is a great choice for players who enjoy balancing resource production, research, and finding the most cost-effective ways to supply power. With its strategic gameplay and economic focus, this game is sure to captivate fans of Terraforming Mars.
5. Dune: Battle for Control of the Desert Planet
Based on Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel, Dune the board game is an exciting and thematic experience for 2-6 players. Each player controls a noble family, guild, or religion vying for control of the planet Dune. The most valuable resource in the universe, melange, can only be found on this desert planet. Designed by Bill Eberle, Jack Kittredge, and Peter Olotka, Dune is a political game of bluffing and secret alliances.
Just like in Terraforming Mars, players must strategize and outmaneuver their opponents to gain control. With its faithful adaptation of Herbert’s classic story and beautiful artwork, Dune is a must-play for fans of sci-fi board games.
6. Gaia Project: Conquer the Stars
If you enjoyed the modular board and space exploration theme of Terraforming Mars, Gaia Project is a game you won’t want to miss. This sci-fi sequel to the popular game Terra Mystica, designed by Jens Drögemüller and Helge Ostertag, offers a deep and strategic gameplay experience. In Gaia Project, 1-4 players lead different factions across seven different planets, each with its unique environment.
As you terraform planets and prevent your competitors from doing the same, you’ll develop your faction’s skills in various areas. By making alliances, taking over planets, and advancing your scientific research, you’ll work towards dominating the solar system. With its intricate gameplay and immersive theme, Gaia Project is a fantastic choice for fans of Terraforming Mars.
7. Underwater Cities: Expand into the Ocean Depths
If you’re looking for a futuristic twist on city-building, Underwater Cities is the game for you. Designed by Vladimír Suchý, this 1-4 player board game challenges players to establish livable cities deep beneath the ocean’s surface. In this nautical alternative to Terraforming Mars, players take on the role of the world’s top scientists.
Using their hand of cards and workers, they generate resources, build underwater city domes, and develop technologies for underwater living. From farming to desalination, every decision you make will impact the success of your underwater civilization. With its unique theme and strategic gameplay, Underwater Cities is a refreshing take on futuristic city-building.
8. Star Trek Catan: Boldly Go Where No Settler Has Gone Before
If you’re a fan of Terraforming Mars and have a love for the Star Trek universe, Star Trek Catan is the perfect game for you. Based on the classic game Catan, this adaptation combines the hit game with the hit TV-show, Star Trek. Designed by Klaus Teuber and featuring sci-fi art by Franz and Imelda Vohwinkel, Star Trek Catan allows 3-4 players to explore and develop a region of space.
Just like in Terraforming Mars, players generate and trade resources, build starships, and establish starbases to earn victory points. Whether you’re a Trekkie or a fan of strategic board games, Star Trek Catan offers an exciting and thematic experience.
9. Alien Artifacts: Expand Your Interplanetary Dominion
For fans of sci-fi board games similar to Terraforming Mars, Alien Artifacts is a must-play. Designed by Marcin Senior Ropka and Viola Kijowska, this 2-5 player game pits interplanetary factions against each other in a race for knowledge and power. Through resource cards, players build new ships, develop technologies, discover distant planets, and engage in trade.
Attacking hostile aliens to gain their artifacts adds an element of combat to the game. With its 4X gameplay (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate), Alien Artifacts challenges players to carefully balance exploration, combat, and point-scoring. If you’re looking for a fun and strategic card game, Alien Artifacts is an excellent choice.
10. Eminent Domain: Expand Your Outer-Space Civilization
The final entry on our list of games like Terraforming Mars is Eminent Domain, a card-drafting game designed by Seth Jaffee. In this elegant 2-4 player game, players compete to expand their outer-space civilizations by surveying planets, gaining and trading resources, and creating new technologies. Each turn, players choose a role to pursue, boost it with matching cards from their hand, and other players can then follow suit.
Eminent Domain offers a tech-focused alternative to Terraforming Mars, where strategic decision-making and resource management are key to victory. With its sleek design and engaging gameplay, Eminent Domain is a fantastic choice for fans of sci-fi board games.
11. Scythe: A Steampunk Strategy Extravaganza
When it comes to games that blend worker placement, area control, and engine building, Scythe reigns supreme. Steeped in a diesel-powered 1920s steampunk aesthetic, Scythe offers a unique blend of gameplay mechanics that will captivate even the most seasoned gamers. With its high-quality and detailed components, the game provides a visually immersive experience that enhances the strategic depth.
One of the standout features of Scythe is its deep replayability. With varied faction and player mat combinations, each playthrough presents new strategies and narratives to explore. The game’s complexity may seem daunting at first, with its expansive board and intricate pieces, but once you grasp its nuances, you’ll find yourself hooked. Scythe is like a fine wine that gets better with time, offering a rewarding and challenging experience that will keep you coming back for more.
12. Wingspan: Feathered Fun for Everyone
If you’re looking for an educational and visually stunning game that combines card play and engine building, Wingspan is the perfect choice. This avian-themed board game takes you into the world of birdwatching, where every card showcases a unique, real-life bird. The gorgeous artwork on each card creates a visually captivating journey through the wonders of nature.
What sets Wingspan apart is its accessibility. The game’s mechanics strike a delicate balance between simplicity for newcomers and strategic depth for experienced players. With multiple scoring strategies, Wingspan ensures a fresh and engaging experience with every playthrough. The centerpiece of the game, the bird feeder dice tower, adds an extra layer of thematic immersion, making Wingspan a delightful escape into the tranquility and wonder of the bird-watching world.
13. 7 Wonders: An Ancient World of Wonders Awaits
Step into a time of epic achievements with 7 Wonders, a game where ancient civilizations compete for greatness through clever card drafting and strategic tableau building. Quick gameplay and a unique simultaneous turn system make 7 Wonders a thrilling experience from start to finish. The game’s beautiful artwork and quality components create an immersive historical setting that transports players to the ancient world.
The allure of 7 Wonders lies in its intricate dance of decisions. Each choice sets the course for potential glory or historical footnote. The game’s pace keeps adrenaline high, with no downtime and continuous engagement as empires expand and Wonders ascend. While the icon-heavy mechanics may appear overwhelming at first, they quickly become a streamlined language of symbols that enhance the fluidity of the gaming experience.
14. Everdell: A Lush Tableau of Nature and Strategy
Embark on a journey through the seasons with Everdell, a captivating blend of strategy and charm. In Everdell, players expand a city with critters and structures through thoughtful card play and resource management. The game’s seamless integration of various mechanics creates a cohesive and engaging experience that keeps players immersed in a woodland realm filled with enchanting critters.
Everdell’s rich narrative and strategic opportunities ensure that no two games are alike. As players progress from humble beginnings to a bustling endgame tableau, the escalating pace of the game is deeply satisfying. The stunning artwork and high-quality components contribute to the visually delightful setup, further enhancing the immersive nature of the game. While the text-heavy nature of Everdell may not suit younger or less experienced players, its captivating gameplay is bound to captivate those transitioning to more complex games.
15. Dominion: The Kingdom of Infinite Possibilities
Pioneering the deck-building genre, Dominion invites players to embark on a quest to build the most impressive kingdom through strategic card selection and resource management. With every card representing an opportunity for greatness, Dominion offers rapid gameplay that combines strategy and adaptability within a compact timeframe. Extensive replayability is ensured through numerous card combinations and strategic pathways.
Dominion’s brilliance lies in its cyclical progression. With each shuffle of the deck, new strategies and unexpected turns come into play. While the game’s true legacy is its contribution to the deck-building genre, Dominion’s allure remains strong. It stands as a classic, offering a familiar comfort to players while still providing the joy of building something from nothing, game after game.
16. Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition: Galactic Conquests of Epic Proportions
For those seeking a grand strategic adventure set in a science fiction universe, Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition is the ultimate choice. This game invites players to vie for cosmic dominance through warfare, diplomacy, and technological progression. Its deep strategic gameplay and rich science fiction narrative offer a captivating experience that resonates with fans of the genre.
Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition is a game that transcends traditional board game mechanics. It immerses players in meaningful political intrigue and grand-scale battles, where alliances and rivalries shape the destiny of empires. While the lengthy playtime may be prohibitive for some gaming groups, the hours spent in this galactic journey are filled with wonder, strategy, and the promise of adventure.
FAQs: Games Like Terraforming Mars
Q: Can these games be played solo like Terraforming Mars?
A: Absolutely! Many games in the space strategy genre offer robust solo modes that allow you to pit your skills against the game’s mechanics. This allows you to sharpen your strategic abilities in the silence of space, plotting your next cosmic venture without the need for a group. However, be prepared for a challenge, as these solo modes can be just as demanding as a table full of adversaries.
Q: Are these games suitable for family play?
A: While some of these games may be complex and geared towards seasoned gamers, there are several options that are accessible to younger players and casual gamers. With a range of difficulties and themes, there’s a galaxy of options out there to suit different skill levels and interests. Some games even offer simpler rules or quicker playtimes, making them perfect for family game nights where the stars are the limit.
Q: What makes a game similar to Terraforming Mars?
A: Games similar to Terraforming Mars typically involve strategic planning, resource management, and a degree of economic simulation, often set against a backdrop of exploration or colonization. These games capture the essence of building and developing an empire, allowing players to flex their strategic muscles and experience the thrill of creating something magnificent from scratch.
Conclusion: Expanding Your Sci-Fi Horizons
Terraforming Mars has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide with its epic scale and strategic gameplay. If you’re looking for more sci-fi adventures, the games on this list will transport you to new worlds and challenge your strategic thinking. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick card game or a complex cooperative experience, there’s something for everyone.
From the compact and portable Pocket Mars to the immersive cooperative experience of First Martians, each game offers a unique twist on the sci-fi genre. So gather your friends, set up the board, and embark on a thrilling journey through the cosmos with these fantastic games like Terraforming Mars.
If you’re looking for games that capture the essence of Terraforming Mars and offer a similar experience of strategic engine-building, the options are plentiful. From the steampunk world of Scythe to the avian wonders of Wingspan, these games provide unique challenges and immersive experiences. Whether you’re drawn to ancient civilizations in 7 Wonders or the enchanting critters of Everdell, there’s a game out there that will satisfy your thirst for strategic gameplay. And for those seeking a truly epic adventure, Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition awaits, promising galactic conquests of epic proportions. So gather your friends or embark on a solo journey, and let these games transport you to new worlds of strategic possibility. The cosmos is yours to explore!