Terraforming Mars - Buyer's Guide

In Terraforming Mars, players take on the role of corporate moguls racing to revitalize the Red Planet. By leveraging innovative tech and resources, they’ll strive to raise the temperature, create breathable air, and carve out oceans. As the terraforming process unfolds, humanity’s pioneers will flock to the Martian frontier, seeking a new home.

Should I play Terraforming Mars in 2024?

The good

Terraforming Mars is cherished as one of the top euro board games, and the digital version captures much of that magic. Many reviews highlight how it’s a great game whether you’re playing solo or with others, and it can even speed up gameplay thanks to the timer system. Fans of the board game will find the core mechanics they love intact, offering a familiar yet convenient way to play. The game’s strategic depth continues to be a big draw, and its ability to recreate the tabletop experience digitally is appreciated.

The bad

The digital adaptation, however, suffers from significant technical issues. Gamers have reported numerous bugs, glitches, and connectivity problems that make the game frustrating to play. The user interface is also poorly designed, making it difficult to track essential game information. Bots make nonsensical plays that can detract from the experience, and the karma system punishes players unfairly for disconnects, often tied to the game’s own instability. Additionally, support from the developers appears lacking, with some people unable to play for days due to unresolved technical issues.

Verdict

Should you still buy or play this game in 2024? 🌍🚀 While Terraforming Mars remains a superb board game, its digital counterpart has some glaring flaws. If you can overlook the technical issues—or if you’re too lazy to shuffle the physical cards—there’s still a lot of fun to be had. But for a smoother experience, you might want to stick with the hard-copy version or wait for substantial updates to the digital game. Proceed with caution! ✋🎲