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Ask anything about On Mars: rules, setup, components, complexity, price, or whether it fits your group.
If you love feeling like you're literally building something from scratch in a space setting, this game will hook you. The resource chain is pure magic.
- Compelling resource chain
- Great solo mode
- Immersive components
- High replay value
- Well-executed theme
- Steep learning curve
- Lengthy setup
About the game
What you do in a play session
The game starts with a small base already set up — an oxygen factory, shelters, a generator, a farm, and a water complex. From there, everything grows. Each round has two phases: during the Colonization Phase, players in orbit research technologies, grab blueprints, and resupply from the warehouse; players on the surface construct buildings with bots, upgrade structures, recruit scientists, and explore the terrain with their rover. During the Shuttle Phase, players can travel between the orbital station and the surface.
Here's the heart of the game: everything depends on everything. Building shelters requires oxygen, producing oxygen requires plants, plants need water, extracting water from ice requires power, generating power requires minerals, and mining minerals requires colonists. This chain of interdependencies forces you to plan several rounds ahead.
The game ends when three D.O.M.E. missions are completed. The player who accumulates the most Opportunity Points (OP) — earned by contributing to the colony's development — wins. With 1 to 4 players, lasting 90 to 150 minutes, it delivers a dense, immersive, and surprisingly rewarding experience for anyone who likes feeling like they're truly building something from scratch.
Expansions
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
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On Mars - How-to-Play video from Gaming Rules!
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The Rules Manicule ☞ On Mars
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How to play On Mars
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'On Mars' in less than 10 minutes
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On Mars - How-to-play - Start here
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How to Play On Mars in 30 Minutes
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On Mars Beginner Strategy
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On Mars Learn to Play
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On Mars - How-to-play - Actions
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On Mars Rules Overview
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On Mars Gamesplained - Part 1
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On Mars Gamesplained - Part 2
Rules manual
Official PDF file
Best player count
BGG community vote
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Where to Buy
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is On Mars good for beginners to heavy economic games?
Is the solo mode worth it?
How long does a game last?
Can it be played digitally?
Do buildings really depend on each other?
Are there expansions?
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