8.7
rating
Ludopedia
8.0
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you love Terraforming Mars and enjoy a thematic extra, this penguin promo card lands as a simple, tasty bonus.
Highlights
- Rewards ecological development
- Easy to integrate
- Exclusive, fun artwork
Keep in mind
- Requires eight oceans
- Benefit limited to VP points
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Promo card #212 for Terraforming Mars adds a chilly twist to the classic Martian colonization game. To activate it, the planet must already have at least eight oceans – a condition that ensures the game is well into its terraforming phase. Once the requirement is met, the player may place an animal (a penguin) onto the card, earning one victory point for each penguin present. Each penguin is worth 1 VP, so stacking more animals translates directly into more points. The card works as an end‑game bonus, rewarding those who invested in water areas while adding a fun thematic element: penguins on Mars! As a promotional item, the artwork is usually exclusive and the card can be used in regular Terraforming Mars games if everyone agrees. It doesn’t change core rules but offers an extra layer of strategy for players who enjoy hand management, open drafting, and tile placement. Perfect for gamers who have mastered the base game and want a small scoring boost without overcomplicating the session. In terms of playtime, the card adds negligible extra time; it simply provides a scoring opportunity at game end, provided the ocean threshold is reached. Overall, it’s a thematic, easy‑to‑integrate add‑on that rewards solid ecological development.
Expansion for
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
REC
3
BEST
4
REC
5
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
FryxGames, Ghenos Games, Intrafin Games, Kilogames, Korea Boardgames, Lautapelit.fi, Lavka Games, Maldito Games, MeepleBR, MINDOK, MIPL, Rebel Sp. z o.o., Reflexshop, Schwerkraft-Verlag
Designer
Jacob Fryxelius
Artist
Jacob Fryxelius
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can use the card?
The card can be used in games with 1 to 5 players, as long as everyone agrees to include it.
Do I need any expansion to use the card?
No, it works with the base Terraforming Mars game; no other expansions are required.
Does the card increase game length?
Not significantly; it simply provides extra VP at the end if the ocean condition is met.
Is a translation needed for Portuguese play?
Yes, the official version is in English, so an informal translation is recommended for ease of use.
How hard is it to understand the card?
Very easy – just check for eight oceans and place the penguin to earn 1 VP per animal.
Can I use multiple promo cards at once?
Yes, provided the group agrees; each promo card has its own requirements and benefits.
Does the card interfere with core mechanics?
No, it only adds an extra scoring condition without altering the main rules.