Terraforming Mars: Prelude 2

Terraforming Mars: Prelude 2 is the sixth expansion for the acclaimed game Terraforming Mars. This expansion focuses on introducing new gameplay dynamics, bringing prelude cards that offer continuous effects and strategic actions throughout the game. Players will also be able to explore an even greater variety of project cards, increasing their tactical options. In addition, five new corporations are introduced, each with unique abilities that expand the possibilities for development and competition in the process of terraforming Mars. Get ready for an even richer and more immersive experience!

Age 12 + 120 min 1 to 5 players

Artists: William Bricker; Isaac Fryxelius

Designers: Jacob Fryxelius;

Date: 2024

Note: 

Mechanics: Fitting Parts, Open Buy, Hand Management

Topics: Science, Science Fiction

Table of Contents
- How to Play
- Tips for playing
- Game mechanics
- Game components
- Additional Information

OBJECTIVE OF THE GAME

Terraforming Mars: Prelude 2 is an expansion to the Terraforming Mars board game, focused on speeding up the start of the game by adding new prelude cards, projects and corporations. The main objective of this expansion is to enrich the game experience by offering more variety and strategies from the start, allowing players to develop their Mars terraforming projects more quickly and strategically, customizing the game to their individual preferences and objectives.

Tips for playing

Here are some tips for doing better in the game Terraforming Mars: Prelude 2:

  • Prioritize Prelude cards that complement your main game strategy.
  • Use the Prelude cards to boost your resource production from the start.
  • Combine Preludes that offer additional actions to optimize your initial turn.
  • Try to choose Preludes that align with the projects you want to develop.
  • Consider Preludes that provide heat and plants to speed up warming and oxygenation.
  • Take into account synergies with Corporate and future project charters when selecting your Preludes.
  • Evaluate the needs of the board and choose Preludes that help address those specific areas.
  • Use Preludes to gain an advantage in areas that your opponents are exploiting less.

Video about the game

GAME mechanics

  • Placement of parts: In the game "Terraforming Mars: Prelude 2", players have the ability to place tiles on the Mars board, representing the transformation of the planet through forests, cities and oceans. Each type of piece has specific placement rules. For example, forests should be placed adjacent to existing ones (if possible), generating victory points and increasing the oxygen level. Cities produce income and are placed in specific hexes on the map, while oceans help regulate temperature and have specific placement requirements, such as adjacency to other spaces. These mechanics are crucial, as strategic placement maximizes bonuses received and influences progress in terraforming.
  • Open Buy: At the start of each round, project cards are revealed and made available for purchase by all players. Each player can choose, in turn order, how many cards they want to buy, paying with mega-credits. This mechanic allows for strategic planning and influences the pace of the game, as players must decide between investing in new cards or saving resources for other actions. Furthermore, by knowing which cards are available to everyone, it is possible to anticipate and plan opponents' future actions, providing an additional layer of competitive strategy.
  • Hand Management: In "Terraforming Mars: Prelude 2", players start with a set of cards that represent personal projects or events. These cards are managed throughout the game, with players needing to decide when to play each card to maximize its impact. Cards can offer immediate effects, long-term bonuses or special abilities, requiring careful planning. In addition, the limitation of cards in hand forces strategic decisions about which cards to keep and which to discard, which can be crucial as the game progresses and victory conditions approach. This mechanic is fundamental to balancing resources and actions, reflecting the management of technologies and innovations in the terraforming process.

Game components

See all the items in the game below Terraforming Mars: Prelude 2:

  • Project letters
  • Production Markers
  • Land signs
  • Colonization pieces
  • Development board
  • Resource sheets
  • Special Action Cards
  • Competition Players
  • Progress indicators

Additional Information

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