Project Mars

In Project Mars you become a space contractor racing to be the first to send humans to the Red Planet. Each player runs a company that must raise its engineering level, assemble modules, hire staff and strike deals with vendors, all while the clock ticks: launch windows only open every 26 months when Earth and Mars line up optimally. To win, you need to place two fuel depots and three modules in low Earth orbit (LEO) before you can claim the Launch Date card. The game uses cards to represent resources, technologies, employees and purchase opportunities. Each round starts with an open auction where players bid resources to secure cards that speed up their progress. Then an open drafting phase follows: everyone sees the same pool of cards and picks in any order, letting you shape your hand to fit your plan. Hand management is key – you must decide when to spend a seasoned engineer or save money for a later bid. The board is simple, showing LEO, depots and modules, but the depth lies in economic and timing decisions. Playtime is 50‑75 minutes, perfect for 2‑4 players who enjoy light‑weight card games with a space theme. Though easy to learn, the game rewards forward thinking and careful tracking of launch windows, creating tension each time a window opens. If you like building empires, bargaining for resources, and feeling the rush of a Mars race, Project Mars delivers all that in a tight, fun package.