How to play On Mars

[@TheAmazingYeti]

I have no intention on ever playing this game, way too heavy for me. I am just here to beef up your comment count and to like your video to help support your content. You are absolutely amazing.. and you deserve WAY more subscribers than you currently have.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thank you so much!

[@paulw2813]

Your efforts for these “how to play” videos are not unnoticed and are greatly appreciated. Detailed, concise, and well organized. Great job, Ryan! I know they are a lot of work.

[@juanmodestodiazperez5383]

This is by far the best On Mars tutorial available anywhere. I wish I had this when I learnt how to play it. It helps me to remind a couple of rules. Great content Ryan!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Juan! i appreciate it!

[@kingandkongo]

The highlighted areas, the „stop motion“ with the tokens and your well paced and understandable sentences… genius! ❤

[@jkpaschal]

Damn I learned more in the introduction than I did watching 5 other HTP vids. Great work. This helped me make my decision to buy it

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Such a cool game! Hope you enjoy it.

[@shelltopgames1745]

This game has been sitting on my shelf, still in its shrink wrap and judging me. I've been terrified to open it up; but your video gives me confidence, thank you!

[@mattmeola]

Learned and played it recently. It's not as hard of a learn as I thought it would be! Just lots of interlocking mechanics that take some time to learn, but the effort is worth it IMO.

[@bretthatesgirlsify]

I just learned ark nova and it was relieving how easy it actually was (compared to my fear) so maybe I can gather the courage for on mars now

[@ivymead2358]

As a Patreon supporter I knew this HTP was coming and was super super excited for it. Absolutely did not disappoint, 10/10 as always.

[@blurryface123]

Yeah, this is a 10/10 easy. Outstanding!

[@NikTheQuiet]

Watched many tutorials of on mars, this is best so far.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thank you!

[@pixxelwizzard]

Love the way you taught this game, it was an absolute delight to watch. The logical presentation, the camera work, the editing, and the humor were all fantastic. Instant sub for me. Thank you!

[@kjellkanin]

Yesterday Anachrony, today On Mars. Your how to play videoes are a safe bet!

[@RegularOlSammy]

6 1/2 minutes into the video, and presentation (voice-over, humor & stop motion) is incredible. That's a like and a sub, and two thumbs up. Keep up the great work!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks so much, Sam! i thought you were going to say i had something on my face.

[@RegularOlSammy]

@@NightsAroundaTable Hah, yeah, the tone may have been slightly off on my post, at least for the first half ('they had us there, not gonna lie'). Regardless, as a chronic board game addict, I'm definitely going to be checking out your other videos, at least before I get the jeebies to play another game. If the other ones are like this however, (which I suspect they are), then I suspect it's going to be a good watch. Keep it up mate :)

[@arturmachno2223]

I just bought this one, already with the expansion. Your How-to-plays are amazing! Thanks for the great work!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Artur! i hope you enjoy it!

[@veronicasalm]

This video was so helpful! On Mars is our only unplayed Lacerda game (out of five) and we will definitely be rewatching this to make the learning process a breeze. Thanks for all the hard work!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks so much! How do you rank them?

[@veronicasalm]

@@NightsAroundaTable My favourite is Kanban EV, followed closely by CO2: Second Chance (I'm a sucker for co-ops), then Lisboa is third. I'm also currently helping to online playtest Vital's newest game, but I'll leave that one out of the ranking because it's not fair to rank a prototype alongside fully produced games with Ian O'Toole art! We need to get On Mars to the table to see how it compares :)

[@NightsAroundaTable]

@@veronicasalm Wow! CO2 is new to me!

[@hatchimmmmm]

I was expecting this, thank you very mutch. Best how to play video.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

At long last!! Sorry it wasn't up in January when we were talking. (i've been working on it since then!)

[@hatchimmmmm]

@@NightsAroundaTable no problem, waiting is a virtude in board gaming. This how to play it's going directly to my favorites videos 👍

[@jasong1610]

This is a great game. I think his best. I'm so glad you did this video because your teach videos are top notch. The amount visual aides you add in post are not only helpful but I love the style. Great work!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, User Unknown! It's always gratifying when someone recognizes the effort involved.

[@dirkmuller7354]

This was by far the best organized "how to play" of On Mars I've ever watched! It's my most favourite game and even if there are few friends willing to play such a mindbending super-heavy burner, I never get tired trying to get it on the table! A 10 out of 10 for me!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Dirk!

[@blurryface123]

Wow, you can tell this video was made with a lot of care and attention! No rushing, several call backs to the game with "stop motion" updates to the board. Very impressive and appreciate all the detail you put into this.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Blurry!

[@lonewolfvc3575]

What a good video. Really well produced. There is a small detail not mentioned and very easy to forget: when you get ships you cannot use the bots gotten during the same turn to boost the action.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks so much! i have a whole separate section later in the video that talks about boosting rules. The rule you mention is discussed at 39:20 (and you're right: it's easy to miss!)

[@lonewolfvc3575]

Wow, that was a quick response, thanks a lot. Yes, it is indeed there, and with a twist : ) I really like your sense of humor.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

@@lonewolfvc3575 Thanks again! Please hang out. (Gestures vaguely to rest of channel, Discord server)

[@whoseturnpodcast]

Cracking learn to play Ryan, your knack for entertaining whilst learning is perfect for heavy games like this. Your vid made our learning game smooth and what a game 👍

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Awesome! Thanks so much. Glad i could help.

[@andrewkaspor578]

I watch a lot of these how to videos, and I must say that you make the very best, most straight forward ones. Please keep up the good work!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks andrew!

[@DMExplains]

Now I really want to play this game again!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

August!

[@mikemudrow]

This looks amazing. Kanban EV is the only Lacerta game I've played, and I really like it. And this looks even crunchier. I may never be smart enough to be good at these games, but I feel like I get closer with every play.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

E-G shipped me a kopy of Kanban, and it sits here waiting to be played. i've heard great things! But it's tough to convince people to play it with me. "Hey everyone: who wants to be a _Japanese car manufacturer??_" :|

[@mikemudrow]

@@NightsAroundaTable not only that, but you could have your boss come by your desk every day and yell at you for being bad at your job. You know, because that will really get people interested in playing.

[@roberthames2140]

Another excellent offering. Criminal you don’t have more subscribers.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Robert. Tell your friends (on social media!)

[@patriceberle9903]

Very well explained and entertaining, too. Thank you for your well crafted explanation videos and humor 😊

[@SamiPaju]

Amazing job! Thank you again for this! Really makes me want to give On Mars another go. Only played it once a couple years ago.

[@BoardGameFamilyTime]

Just got it for Christmas. Heaviest game yet!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

i haven’t found anything to top it. Feudum is about evenly matched.

[@remotefarm4577]

by far the best rule video for on mars. thanks !

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, Remote Farm!

[@BxN88]

Impressive video.

[@ShelleyDanielle]

Well done, I've not finished watching it yet, but I like the increase in production quality you've put in with the highlighting of areas on the board and such. I shared it in Vital's discord server. :) Now I shall await your Alien Invasion how to play along with a playthrough of either Monolith or a co-op chapter with your Partner. :) ;) Canada I think is receiving their copies end of the month?

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks Kydaria! i didn’t back the campaign… i think it came and went before i even owned On Mars? But E-G has been generous to me in the past with review copies. Maybe they can shoot me one?

[@michaelgoshorn476]

39:33 you get both the 2 points for rover movement and for bot movement, but the crystals give you one additional movement point for the thing you are moving at the time. So I could spend 2 crystals and make my rover move 4 (2+ 2)(plus tech if used). And the. I could spend 1 crystal to move the bot 3 movement (2 +1). You make it sound as if I can only move rover or bot, or only apply crystals to one of them, it’s just the crystals can only increase one of them at a time. I could spend 2 crystals and make rover 3 and bot 3, But 1 crystal spent would NOT make rover 3 and bot 3. Each crystal has to be spent on or the other.

[@saurontl_]

Such a great video! Thanks for that!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Sauron! Your evil will not stand!

[@Elucidarian]

Excellent job, Ryan. I just watched some friends wrap up a 3-player game last night (breaking in the new Alien Invasion expansion), and it went MUCH longer than they expected it would. I thought Dominant Species was a brain burner, but that's only weighted a 4 on BGG, compared to On Mars' 4.65!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

i haven't looked very closely into what the expansion does. Can you... elucidate? Be my Google!

[@Elucidarian]

@@NightsAroundaTable it adds 4 modules, including a 1 (Alien) vs all, for partial co-op.

[@Elucidarian]

@@NightsAroundaTable and haha.

[@yabbaguy]

I'll come back to watch this, I promise! Love your videos.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks, yabbaguy! See you soon.

[@thomasdaning5317]

Nice tutorial! Yours and Paul Grogan's are the best I've seen at explaining this game. One minor rules error, I think. The rulebook states that workers that get bounced from action spaces get moved to players' Work Area, not living quarters.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Thanks for the catch, Thomas! Paul has a slight advantage, having... you know... written the rulebook for the game. ;) i've added an addendum on the website and linked to it with a card in the video.

[@thomasdaning5317]

@@NightsAroundaTable Good point about Mr. Grogan--not an easy rulebook to write, I'm sure. Hey, thanks for the shoutout!

[@chriscarlson5057]

Great video. Great game. This will be another goto video for me when I need to brush up on the rules.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Glad i could help, Chris!

[@benjaminnadeau7305]

Do a video on 'why to play On Mars' 😛

[@lukelaurie]

Great video! great game!

[@TheLimestoneCowboy]

okay mister ambitious! good stuff!

[@sarumon17]

I was just googling this subject a few hours before your video was posted. While I don’t know if I’ll play the game multiplayer anytime soon, I’d like to play it solo on tabletopia to venture into Lacerda games.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

i haven't played it solo yet! But the bot looks fairly straightforward.

[@mattschwenk7000]

Excellent tutorial Ryan. I'm about to play my first game of this (3P) and I just want to clarify a rule. When you place your worker in an area that is filled and you have to bump opponent's workers, in the video you indicate those workers go back to the living area (where opponent will have access to them). Don't they actually go back to the working area (where opponent will not have access to them)?

[@NightsAroundaTable]

You're correct! KZbin doesn't have a graceful way for folks like me to edit our videos after the fact, so my best (worst) solution is to add a "card" on the screen and link people to the NAaT website where i keep track of flubs. But viewers who have those card overlays turned off (possibly you?) will miss them. Sigh. Anyway, fwiw, the error was captured on the video's addenda section a while back. i apologize that i don't have a better way to indicate this type of thing. nightsaroundatable.com/2022/05/20/how-to-play-on-mars/

[@mattschwenk7000]

@@NightsAroundaTable Ryan - sorry, I am late to the game and I did not realize you had corrected it. If it was not for you I don't think I ever would have learned this game (or Anachrony). I really appreciate your tutorials!

[@tehpickle1250]

This game is on my payday shopping list this month, so this is uncanny timing! I’ll be back to go through this next week…! Currently fumbling my way through Lisboa. For my first game I decided to play 2 players simultaneously before Introducing it to my group. That was a reeeeaally dumb move. By turn 4 my brain was scrambled egg.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Friends can definitely help with the heavy brain lifting. The next one i'm tackling is Kanban EV.

[@Verrous1]

This explanation makes On Mars seem much less heavy a game. As if it were on a planet with a lesser gravitational pull.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

We've changed the very laws of physics!

[@Chris-pl5uv]

Bravo!!!!👏👏👏

[@michaeltodd5806]

Best vids on youtube!

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Your cheque is in the mail!

[@the_justifier4788]

You are my men. Thx

[@NightsAroundaTable]

♫ i'm every men/inside of meeee ♪

[@Brettspielovic]

Great tutorial but i have one question. At 18:15, if i am the blue player, why i can't build a greenhouse on left upper side of my robot? There is no other greenhouse on the left side?

[@NightsAroundaTable]

It has to go two tiles away from another greenhouse, and all of those legal spaces that are two tiles away from the greenhouse are also out of your bot’s range, in that example.

[@Brettspielovic]

Oh yeah your right. I had that rule in my mind differently. Thanks

[@2daldragon]

와 이건 대박이다 이걸 룰 설명 영상을 만든다고??? 대단하다❤

[@billybirdy9507]

On Mars is a game I always consider buying, but know I never will.

[@NightsAroundaTable]

It can be tough to find people committed to learning and playing it.

[@TheLimestoneCowboy]

I’m waiting for a “thinky filler” re-implementation 🤞🏽I adore the idea of this game: peek-a-boo boards, pretty art, screen printed meeples, the shuttling mechanism, and the resource cycle… but everything else can go lol

[@NightsAroundaTable]

So you're not into which bits - the tile placement? Upgrading buildings? Semi-worker placement? Scientists? Rovers n' bots? Tech tree?

[@TheLimestoneCowboy]

@@NightsAroundaTable I'm probably least into the scientists (even though I'm a geologist/hydrogeologist/geochemist) but my dream remake would keep most of the mechanisms, but just have fewer restrictions/rules exceptions for each of them.

[@ShelleyDanielle]

I don't think there is a thinky filler yet on it's way for this one, but there is Alien Invasion, which is co-op and a great way to learn the base game, with everyone working co-operatively. I do realize however it's quite expensive to get the Base + expansion. :)

[@TheLimestoneCowboy]

but now that you got this amateur game designer thinking,,,, how is there no straight worker-movement tile-laying map building game??? I'm talking streamlined like Carcassonne with action spaces. The only ones that I think come close are Glen Moore, Great Western Trail, and Gem Rush *leaves his soapbox*

[@NightsAroundaTable]

@@TheLimestoneCowboy Look at Cartographers and Cascadia? Neither involve strict worker placement though. Worker placement, by its very nature, almost adds too much overhead for what you might consider to be a simple game.

[@elqord.1118]

Thumbnail is killing me. Pure satire

[@NightsAroundaTable]

Gotta pull them 'balls!

[@christianhorvath791]

Sup, board gamers. Lol

[@Straddllw]

Okay but can you teach this game in 3 minutes?

[@NightsAroundaTable]

No one can. And if any channel purported to, you'd find you'd just spent 3 minutes without knowing the first thing about how to play!