9.0
rating
Ludopedia
8.2
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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.
Highlights
- Compelling resource chain
- Great solo mode
- Immersive components
- High replay value
- Well-executed theme
Keep in mind
- Steep learning curve
- Lengthy setup
About the game
What you do in a play session
Humanity has finally reached Mars — and now it's time to turn a hostile planet into a home. In On Mars, each player takes on the role of a chief astronaut from a private space exploration company. The mission? Build the most advanced and self-sustaining colony on the red planet, fulfilling the goals of D.O.M.E. (Department of Operations and Mars Exploration) while simultaneously pursuing the company's own hidden agenda.
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.
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
1
REC
2
REC
3
BEST
4
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Eagle-Gryphon Games, Angry Lion Games, Arclight Games, Delta Vision Publishing, Giochix.it, hobbity.eu
Designer
Vital Lacerda
Artist
Ian O'Toole
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
23,446owners
8,765wishlist
869want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is On Mars good for beginners to heavy economic games?
It works, but it's not the easiest. There's a lot of resource interdependency and it requires planning several rounds ahead. If you already know games like Terraforming Mars, you should feel right at home.
Is the solo mode worth it?
Absolutely! The solo mode is one of the most praised by the community and was nominated for the Golden Geek Best Solo Game. The AI (rival bots system) gives you challenge without needing a group.
How long does a game last?
Depends on player count. With 1-2 players it's closer to 90 minutes. With 3-4 it can stretch to 150 minutes comfortably.
Can it be played digitally?
Yes, there's a Tabletopia implementation, so you can play online with friends without the table set up.
Do buildings really depend on each other?
Exactly. Oxygen depends on plants, plants on water, water on power, power on minerals, and minerals on colonists. If one link in the chain breaks, everything breaks. That's what makes the game so challenging and satisfying.
Are there expansions?
No official expansions are known so far. The game is self-contained and has enough content to replay plenty.
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