Mission: Red Planet (Second/Third Edition)

About this board game

Mission: Red Planet (Second/Third Edition) is an engrossing board game that merges strategy, intrigue, and adventure in a thrilling race to colonize Mars. It’s an appealing blend of science fiction and steampunk aesthetics, set at the dawn of the 19th century where players, as rival corporations, compete to exploit the Red Planet’s vast resources.

The primary goal of the players in Mission: Red Planet is to gain control over the regions of Mars and the resources they contain. The game’s uniqueness stems from its core mechanics that involve role selection, area control, and simultaneous action selection, which add layers of complexity and strategy to the gameplay.

Theme and Setting:

Set against the backdrop of the Victorian age, players step into the boots of colonial corporations vying for control over Mars’ lucrative mining regions. The game’s steampunk aesthetic is evident in its beautifully illustrated cards and game board, evoking an era of steam-powered rockets and audacious astronauts.

Core Mechanics:

The game is played over a series of rounds, each allowing players to select and play a character card from their hand. These cards, representing various roles such as explorer, soldier, or pilot, possess abilities that influence the game in different ways. The abilities range from deploying astronauts onto the rockets, manipulating the rocket’s destination, to sabotaging missions. The intriguing part is that all players reveal their chosen card simultaneously, leading to suspense and unexpected outcomes.

The second key mechanic is area control. The astronauts deployed to Mars will claim regions that contain precious resources. At predetermined rounds called scoring phases, players earn points based on the amount of control they exert over each region and the value of the resources it contains.

Unique features that make Mission: Red Planet stand out:

• Role Selection: The choice of role cards and the right timing of their use can greatly influence the outcome of the game. This adds a layer of strategy and anticipation to each round.
• Simultaneous Action Selection: All players make their decisions simultaneously, adding an element of unpredictability and suspense to the gameplay.
• Area Influence: The regions of Mars are not of equal value. The strategic placement of astronauts and the control over valuable regions can lead to significant point gains.
• Discovery Cards: These cards add an additional layer to the gameplay, offering rewards or penalties, and can affect the value of regions.

Overall, Mission: Red Planet offers a thrilling strategic challenge with its blend of unique mechanics, a captivating theme, and a competitive edge. It’s a game that will have you plotting, scheming, and dreaming of Martian domination!