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Description
Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition is an engine-building game in which players control interplanetary corporations with the goal of making Mars habitable (and profitable). You will do this by investing mega credits (MC) into project cards that will directly or indirectly contribute to the terraforming process. In order to win, you will want to accumulate a high terraform rating (TR) and as many victory points (VP) as you can. Players raise their TR by increasing global parameters: oceans, oxygen, and temperature. TR also determines each corporation's basic income, and, at the end of the game TR counts as VP. Additional VP and production capabilities are awarded for building project cards and other actions taken during the game.
The game is played in rounds, and each round the players will choose one of five phases, which determines which activities will take place during that round. This means every round is different, but can consist of building new project cards, taking general and project-specific actions, producing income and resources (plants and heat), or researching to draw more project cards. Every player will take all the phases selected for the round, and will receive a special bonus during the phase that they selected. To speed up the game, within each phase, players can act simultaneously without waiting for each other!
The game board has tracks for oxygen, temperature, and terraform rating, as well as a place for all of the ocean tiles that will be flipped over the course of the game. The game ends when there is enough oxygen to breath (14%), oceans enough to allow Earth-like weather (9), and the temperature is well above freezing (+8°C). It will then be possible, if not comfortable, to live on the surface of Mars!
The winner is the player with the most VP at the end of the game.
Year Published
2021
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Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 10
This page: 10
Sentiment:
pos 7 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 2 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–10 of 10
Video IYKwWGGj54k
Unknown Channel general_discussion at 0:19 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 60275 · mention_pk 152691
Click to watch at 0:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- Faster playtime and tighter decision space
- Accessible entry point for players who want a Mars experience without the depth of the big box
Cons
- Less thematic depth than the base Terraforming Mars
- Can feel less sandbox-like due to its streamlined scope
Thematic elements
- space settlement and terraforming efficiency with a tighter scope.
- Mars terraforming through card-driven engine-building in a more compact form.
- concise, more tactical compared to the full-scale base game.
Comparison games
- Terraforming Mars
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Players draft and play cards that contribute to engines and scoring opportunities, within a streamlined framework.
- Card drafting and deck-building — Players draft and play cards that contribute to engines and scoring opportunities, within a streamlined framework.
- engine building — Players develop a compact engine from cards to produce resources and points in a shorter playtime.
- engine-building — Players develop a compact engine from cards to produce resources and points in a shorter playtime.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- That's madness. That's that's just a wrong answer.
- do you like Terraform Mara's The Dice game better?
- Care for Mars Aries expedition better?
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cDmkUMEAU8k
OFG Voices live_discussion at 41:10 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12573 · mention_pk 120801
Click to watch at 41:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- compact footprint relative to base Terraforming Mars
- interesting expansion concept
Cons
- not as deep as base game for some players
Thematic elements
- Expedition-driven card play and action selection
- Mars terraforming ecosystem with an expedition framework
- compact, strategic sprawl
Comparison games
- Terraforming Mars
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Expedition cards provide actions and events.
- set collection — Resource accumulation and score via card effects.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the minis are outstanding
- it's a fun fighting game
- it's kind of like a tableau building game and set collection game
- the box feels quality
- Ticket to Ride now they've got trains and then they have other Ticket to Ride with boats and all that stuff
- Lost Cities will make you mad all day long
- Salt and Sea is interesting
- the expedition system
- you kind of do cards and things
- circle the wagons... two-player game
- two-player game good
- Push... push your luck
- we're going to roll straight into the heart of this episode
- Terraforming Mars is the best game
- the art and packaging of Let's go to Japan is beautiful
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rk8MJ1o7Te4
Mind I Suggest a Game top_10_list at 11:17 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9285 · mention_pk 27405
Click to watch at 11:17 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- streamlined variant of Terraforming Mars
- more approachable for new players
- good pacing for mid-weight game
Cons
- some depth from base game is reduced
- may feel less thematic to long-time Terra fans
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Draft and play project cards to terraform Mars through actions and resource management.
- set collection/resources — Acquire and allocate resources to advance terraforming metrics and score victory points.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The crew packs in so much depth in such a small package that I really can't recommend it highly enough the bang for the buck is just astronomical.
- Summer Camp has a really high replayability right out of the box and seven different skills that you can earn merit badges for.
- If you're looking for a nice entry-level deck builder with an awesome theme that'll make you want to make a bonfire and roast some s'mores ASAP.
- Red Rising is a card drafting hand management game for one to six players that plays in about 45 minutes to an hour and is based off the dystopian novel series by Pierce Brown.
- The rules of this game are super simple and you can usually get into playing in about 15 minutes or less.
- Azul is a really great game from Plan B Games, tile placement kind of abstract, with beautiful little tiles that look like starbursts.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video hB_vl7rdpKk
Board Game Spotlight general_discussion at 26:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8807 · mention_pk 25959
Click to watch at 26:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- deep strategic potential
- expands the Terraforming Mars concept in a compact form
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- industrial terraform progression
- Mars terraforming ecosystem expansion
- system-driven with thematic backstory
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — draft and play project cards to terraform Mars
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- you never know what questions Derek is gonna pull out of the bag
- this is going to be an hour of gaming goodness
- what board game world or board game right so just board game would you like to see turned into a tv show or movie
- the move happens because like a lot of people know late last year kickstarter announced we are pivoting to the blockchain to blockchain technology
- i would watch a TV show of Fallout board game
- you never know what's going to come out of the grab bag
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video -ZxSOSUJ91A
Our Family Folk playthrough at 0:53 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7520 · mention_pk 144934
Click to watch at 0:53 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Cooperative crisis mechanics add meaningful tension and require team coordination.
- Engine-building accelerates as players invest in crisis-resilient strategies.
- Crisis cards introduce varied, scenario-driven challenges that keep play interesting.
- Free crisis-related cards and strategic discounts create satisfying decision points.
Cons
- The expansion can be challenging and punishing if the crisis cards overwhelm the engine early.
- High complexity and card management can be daunting for new players.
Thematic elements
- cooperative crisis management within an engine-building framework
- Mars during terraforming process with crisis-driven events that threaten habitability
- live playthrough with commentary and live strategy discussion
Comparison games
- Terraforming Mars
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative crisis management — Crisis cards introduce disasters; players must collaborate to keep Mars habitable and to survive the crisis.
- engine building — Players develop their own engine by playing project and action cards that generate resources and advance terraforming metrics.
- engine-building — Players develop their own engine by playing project and action cards that generate resources and advance terraforming metrics.
- ocean tiles and planetary terraforming components — Ocean tiles, oxygen and temperature adjustments, and counters drive the planetary state.
- Resource management — Megacredits, heat, plants, and other resources must be managed to build cards and perform actions.
- terraforming rating progression — Terraforming Rating and Victory Points track overall progress toward victory; cards can raise TR and VP.
- Track advancement — Terraforming Rating and Victory Points track overall progress toward victory; cards can raise TR and VP.
- variable phase actions — Phases and card plays provide flexibility; players select actions and gain discounts from building tags.
- Variable Phase Order — Phases and card plays provide flexibility; players select actions and gain discounts from building tags.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- me and Mark is ready to try to save Mars
- we won we really didn't need that on-ramp but we got it
- this turns the whole thing on its head you start with Mars fully terraformed
- even with two players or more it is a challenge
- it did help us a lot
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video b23wBzKOhS4
Our First Place top_12_list at 16:53 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4287 · mention_pk 12468
Click to watch at 16:53 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Science fiction terraforming and engine-building
- Outer space terraforming corporation era
- Competitive engine-building with card-driven actions
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we want to play them and share these hot games with you
- we love this community that we're building
- we're going to try to play them too
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video RkAHSQKVleI
Unknown Channel rules teach at 1:00 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 2862 · mention_pk 8368
Click to watch at 1:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- Clear articulation of core end-game conditions and TR-based scoring.
- Highlights the card-driven engine and the importance of building a flexible resource engine.
- Emphasizes how global parameters drive pacing and determine the end of play.
Cons
- Some terminology in the narration is nonstandard (e.g., 'faces' instead of 'phases'), which may confuse newcomers.
- Rule specifics are summarized rather than itemized; players should consult the official rulebook for precise interactions.
Thematic elements
- Terraforming, planetary engineering, resource management
- A near-future Mars terraforming project where players collaboratively and competitively modify climate and geography to render Mars habitable.
- rule-explanation and strategic guidance with concrete examples
Comparison games
- Terraforming Mars
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card-driven engine building — Players acquire and utilize project cards to drive engine-building, growth, and scoring opportunities.
- global parameters and end-game trigger — Global climate parameters (temperature, oxygen, oceans) are advanced to predefined thresholds; when achieved, the game ends and scoring occurs.
- hidden action/phase selection — Rounds involve a set of phases where players secretly select which phases to execute; non-selected phases are skipped for that round.
- Resource management — Players manage resources (e.g., mega credits, cards, and planetary tokens) to perform actions and optimize growth trajectories.
- terraforming rating (TR) as a victory parameter — TR increases as players advance the terraforming process, serving as a key scoring/CV resource and end-condition driver.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- in the game players are trying to make Mars inevitable by bringing its temperature to Plus 8 degrees by increasing its oxygen level to 14 and by creating nine oceans on the planet
- the game ends when the required temperature oxygen and water levels are achieved
- and players proceed to scoring the
- the player with the most victory points will win
- Terraforming Mars Aries Expedition
- the game is played in rounds which consists of five faces
- when the required temperature oxygen and water levels are achieved the game ends
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video q7BQEhUy39c
Unknown Channel general_discussion at 8:36 sentiment: negative
video_pk 1040 · mention_pk 2937
Click to watch at 8:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- tight, streamlined Mars feel
- fast compared to base game in some plays
Cons
- not as satisfying long-term as base game for some players
- may feel too lean for dedicated fans
Thematic elements
- industrial-scale terraforming
- Mars terraforming under corporate teams
- card-driven engine-building with phase revelation
Comparison games
- Terraforming Mars (base game)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — collect and deploy cards to power actions
- phase selection — reveal and execute production phases each round
- Variable Phase Order — reveal and execute production phases each round
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's still a must have
- the twist to this role play is that you all text in a WhatsApp group
- it's a semic which means you all are stuck in the ship and want to get out together
- it's not fantastic, not even fantastic; it's very good
- the game is not simple
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video TRjrqWzKPmU
Cardboard Herald general_discussion at 7:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 285 · mention_pk 879
Click to watch at 7:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- condensed, snappy version of Terraforming Mars
- maintains core decisions with less downtime
Cons
- loses some flavor of the original
- less milestone/award system for tracking progress
Thematic elements
- terraforming and corporate competition condensed
- colonize and transform a barren planet
- accelerated, punchy strategy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — cards drive engines and events; players draft to optimize actions
- engine-building — build a production engine to generate resources and points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- spirit island is really in my heart of hearts it's a game that i love solo and playing multiplayer it has unending amount of replayability and the synergy between the thematic resonance and the mechanical aspect of it the clock working and puzzle as you figure out every single scenario is just outstanding
- it's a condensed and succinct version it doesn't completely strip things away and it does add new mechanics to it
- distilling a larger concept into its most germane elements
- Between two castles is as far as i'm concerned one of the unsung heroes of the tabletop gaming world
- the cat's pajamas
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video q3-nHSPY5Xg
Game Played game_playthrough sentiment: positive
video_pk 11 · mention_pk 140489
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Streamlined gameplay
- Quick simultaneous turns
- Close, balanced scoring
- Engaging thematic experience
Cons
- Complex resource management
- Potential analysis paralysis
Thematic elements
- Planetary terraformation
- Mars
- Competitive collaboration
Comparison games
- Original Terraforming Mars
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Resource management — Managing mega credits, heat, plants, and other resources
- Simultaneous action selection — Players choose phases simultaneously
- Simultaneous Actions — Players choose phases simultaneously
- Terraforming — Raising temperature, oxygen, and placing ocean tiles
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- We're all getting a little high off those oxygen vibes
- A test of a well-designed, well-balanced game is when players end with very close scores
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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