On Mars Board Game

About this product

Build a self-sustaining Mars colony through planning, technology, resources, and bold space-to-surface decisions.

A deep strategic board game for experienced players who enjoy heavy planning, engine building, and long-term colony development.

On Mars is a heavy strategy board game where players lead private space companies, travel between orbit and the Martian surface, build life-support systems, develop technology, complete missions, and compete to shape the first self-sustaining colony on Mars.

Product Description

On Mars puts players in charge of early Martian development after the first settlers arrive. You will manage supplies from Earth, expand buildings on the surface, improve technology in orbit, welcome new ships, hire scientists, complete contracts, and help the colony grow from a fragile base into a working settlement.

Why you’ll love it

• Deep Mars colonisation strategy with strong planning and meaningful long-term decisions.
• Two connected play areas: work in orbit for blueprints, supplies, and technology, then travel to the surface to build and expand the colony.
• Life Support System tension makes water, power, plants, oxygen, mines, and shelters feel connected.
• Build and upgrade Mars infrastructure including mines, generators, water extractors, greenhouses, oxygen condensers, and shelters.
• Technology development matters because stronger tech improves actions and helps players build larger building complexes.
• Mission-driven gameplay gives players shared colony goals while still competing for the most Opportunity Points.
• Scientists, Earth contracts, private goals, rovers, bots, and ships create many scoring paths.
• Includes solo play for players who want a serious strategic challenge even without a group.
• Designed by Vital Lacerda with striking sci-fi artwork by Ian O’Toole.

Quick Details

• Product type: Standalone strategy board game
• Players: 1–4
• Recommended age: 14+
• Difficulty: Hard
• Theme: Mars colonisation, space exploration, self-sustaining colony, technology development
• Game style: Heavy euro strategy board game
• Designer: Vital Lacerda
• Artwork: Ian O’Toole
• Solo mode: Yes
• Main gameplay feel: Resource management, worker placement, tech development, building upgrades, mission completion
• Expansion available: Yes, On Mars: Alien Invasion is available separately

Good to Know

• Expand Your Mars Colony: Want more ways to play after mastering the base game? Add On Mars: Alien Invasion for story-driven chapters, alien threats, cooperative missions, solo challenges, and one-versus-many gameplay.
• Please note: On Mars: Alien Invasion is an expansion and requires the On Mars base game to play.
• On Mars is best for players who enjoy heavier strategy games, not quick casual play.
• Players move between the Mars Space Station and the colony surface, and available actions depend on where they are.
• In orbit, players can gain blueprints, develop technologies, and collect supplies.
• On the colony surface, players can construct buildings, upgrade buildings, move bots and rovers, welcome ships, hire scientists, and take contracts.
• The colony’s survival systems are connected: mines support power, power supports water, water supports plants, plants support oxygen, and oxygen supports shelters.
• Players work toward shared mission progress, but only the player who contributes best to the colony will win.
• The game includes a solo mode against an automated opponent named Lacerda.
• For a first game, the rulebook recommends using the First Colonists variant to make the early game smoother.
• The insert guide helps with organising the many components inside the box after play.

Care & Maintenance

Store cards, boards, tiles, tokens, meeples, and markers neatly after each game.
Use the insert guide when packing the game away so setup is easier for the next Mars mission.