Terraformers is a 3X game with roguelite elements in which you terraform Mars. Explore the planet's wonders, exploit its resources and expand by settling new cities. Start the terraforming process: warming the planet, creating oceans and spreading life!
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This game is currently in the Humble Choice for April 2024, and this is part of my coverage of the bundle. If you are interested in the game and it's before May 7th, 2024, consider picking up the game as part of the current monthly bundle.
Building Mars your way.
Terraformers start with the player building a base on Mars, creating locations for people to live, and then expanding across the surface of Mars. Players will have to spend a lot of time resource harvesting so they can play various structures. Each structure needs specific resources and has a purpose but the goal of the game is to earn victory points. As you proceed in the game you’ll also have to start Terraforming Mars, likely as a way to earn more Victory Points.
This reminded me of playing Eurogames and I mean that in a high form of praise. It also doesn’t feel too difficult but I realize I’m only playing the tutorial, there’s supposedly multiple scenarios after that point that extend the game and likely become much harder.
At the same time, it feels like there’s a significant amount of RNG in the game. Whether it’s which the leaders you can choose from, what buildings appear, or what resources you will find, Players will have to make a lot of decisions and hope for the best. There are probably a few ways to fail, but I imagine on harder difficulties this game becomes more brutally punishing for the wrong choices. It also feels a little micromanagement of the resource but that’s likely because I don’t know exactly how to play the game yet.
Pick this up if you like board games. This isn’t exactly Civilization, but it also feels like it’s in that same family as a distant cousin. Terraformers allows players to challenge the scenario or situation they are in rather than a specific AI.
If you enjoyed this review or want to know what I think of other games in the bundle, check out the full review on or subscribe to my Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/8q4m_yRP5xw
Building Mars your way.
Terraformers start with the player building a base on Mars, creating locations for people to live, and then expanding across the surface of Mars. Players will have to spend a lot of time resource harvesting so they can play various structures. Each structure needs specific resources and has a purpose but the goal of the game is to earn victory points. As you proceed in the game you’ll also have to start Terraforming Mars, likely as a way to earn more Victory Points.
This reminded me of playing Eurogames and I mean that in a high form of praise. It also doesn’t feel too difficult but I realize I’m only playing the tutorial, there’s supposedly multiple scenarios after that point that extend the game and likely become much harder.
At the same time, it feels like there’s a significant amount of RNG in the game. Whether it’s which the leaders you can choose from, what buildings appear, or what resources you will find, Players will have to make a lot of decisions and hope for the best. There are probably a few ways to fail, but I imagine on harder difficulties this game becomes more brutally punishing for the wrong choices. It also feels a little micromanagement of the resource but that’s likely because I don’t know exactly how to play the game yet.
Pick this up if you like board games. This isn’t exactly Civilization, but it also feels like it’s in that same family as a distant cousin. Terraformers allows players to challenge the scenario or situation they are in rather than a specific AI.
If you enjoyed this review or want to know what I think of other games in the bundle, check out the full review on or subscribe to my Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/8q4m_yRP5xw
this review called it "against the storm but turn based" and uhh yeah. it's that. it's just, you know, i kind of felt i understood against the storm after playing a few rounds, and i understood this after playing even fewer rounds.
i like terraforming mars. it's neat (if, you know, morally a bit questionable - a topic the game seems happy to dodge in favor of 'ignore bad morale in favor of rushing towards terraforming asap'). the game makes it look neat.
i accomplished my goal and now i'm done. which is, like, fine. i'm just kind of left with thinking about liz's amazing essay on (among other things) One Neat Mechanic vs Anarchic Maximalism and im kind of feeling a little more anarchic maximalist than One Neat Trick these days. so it goes!
i like terraforming mars. it's neat (if, you know, morally a bit questionable - a topic the game seems happy to dodge in favor of 'ignore bad morale in favor of rushing towards terraforming asap'). the game makes it look neat.
i accomplished my goal and now i'm done. which is, like, fine. i'm just kind of left with thinking about liz's amazing essay on (among other things) One Neat Mechanic vs Anarchic Maximalism and im kind of feeling a little more anarchic maximalist than One Neat Trick these days. so it goes!