Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition

Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition is an engine-building game in which players control interplanetary corporations with the goal of making Mars habitable (and profitable).

The same kind of game in terms of engine building and goals, at half the play time.

Smaller box, lower price point, much more accessible for new players.

Full card game. Still has central board like original but smaller. Paired down. You are only placing oceans.

End of game still triggers at three global conditions being met (temp, water, oxygen). The way you accomplish conditions is different, you must play projects over phases.

At the beginning of turn, players simultaneously decide the phase for the round of the five possible. You play every phase that was chosen, but you get a bonus in the phase you chose.

Blue, green and red cards exist but they do different things, and still are in the same spirit as the original.

All play is simultaneous. You are working within your own area, but interactivity comes with the race going after the win conditions.

Has all the thought provoking engine building of the original but snappy and quick.

Different things to help streamline decision making, like you don’t discard any cards from your initial hand, but you can for money.

Less stuff you have to track. You are not managing quantities of 6 resources, but they are all still present in some way.