What I Really Think About - Terraforming Mars

[@TheVictorPuente]

I couldn’t imagine playing without the draft. Boggles my mind that it’s considered a variant.

[@tttopolis]

Its a must!!

[@MrScrawnjuan]

Played it on steam and really didn't like it.

[@sedraniM]

Since Corona we skip it, because we play on TTS and drafting takes forever on there :(

[@g8kpr3000]

I suspect it’s for new players to get a handle on it. Someone new to the game could make poor choices in a draft when playing against a seasoned player.

[@joeferreti9442]

@@MrScrawnjuan The app isn't great.

[@Thagrynor]

Prelude is almost needed to speed up the slow start, to get you into the real fun of the game. The base game is fun, but Prelude really kicks things off to a much more fun point. Also drafting is the best way to play multiplayer. Really happy you enjoyed it. The component quality is ... Eh. Could be better. But this is a great example of "gameplay is what makes a game great".

[@larrye]

Like everyone else said, this game should not be played without drafting.

[@MerrillWhiteKalEl]

Glad you finally got to play. Drafting is a MUST! Every game I play I like it more.

[@hellboy7424]

I still thinking that "Underwater cities" with the expansion is better game than TM. Better rounded, more varied in strategies and with more tactics and ways of approaching the game.

[@TheLuminousCleric]

Haven't tried it, so I can't say. But Underwater Cities is way more expensive and the components are also janky. Expansion is necessary as well, so TM wins there for me.

[@thijsschipper6406]

@@TheLuminousCleric that really depends on where you're shopping. Comparing the two games, I feel like UC is much more rewarding. Where TfM gives you a ton of resources and asks you to do stuff with them until they run out, in UC it's often possible to end up with MORE resources after an action than before. There's placement bonuses, metropolis tiles, special goals, and your own cards to achieve that. It fundamentally changes the feel from a game where I'm constantly on a budget trying to squeeze blood from a stone, to one that gives back - a game that's about getting your tableau to work FOR you. I'd also say UC really doesn't need the expansion for me to prefer it to TfM. I've owned the game for over a year and haven't even touched the expansion yet.

[@S.Kapriniotis]

I love both, but still don't understand why people compare them. They are completely different games, apart from both being heavy-ish sci fi euro games.

[@thijsschipper6406]

@@S.Kapriniotis I definitely see it. They are "completely different" only within the confined space of efficiency-optimization/engine building euros, much in the way that Wingspan and Gizmos are completely different as long as you only look at light-to-medium combo-focused tableau builders structured around improving a set of core actions. In the grand scope of things they are *very* similar. There's the thematic parallel where the goal of the game is for corporations to settle/make inhabitable a usually uninhabitable environment. There's a race for shared objectives at the end as a source of points. You score points during the game, not just at the end, and a large sum of them is generated directly by the engine you've built during the game. Both have you assembling cards with various effects, placing them in your tableau to create discounts, opportunities, combinations with other cards and chain reactions for the actions you're taking on the board. Both have you trying to maximize the potential of a limited stock of resources - but in both cases the actions you take also affect how many/what type of resources you will have in the next 'cycle'. Both feature hand management as a core part of each player's puzzle: do I keep this for later or discard it? Is it worth playing now or do I wait until I have more support pieces in place? Sure there's differences, that's a given. Almost no game is 100% the same as another. That doesn't mean they're not very similar or at least offer the same kind of experience.

[@johnpanagos5835]

UC is in my top 3 of all time. I agree with you.

[@testoftetris]

I'm in the minority, but I really love the art in Terraforming Mars. Everything about the game is heavily fileted through a kind of cynical, corporate lens, and the stock art assets help sell that, imo. A lot of the janky card images are _exactly_ the sort of thing I would expect to see in a PowerPoint about company goals, and I think that fits better than most people give it credit for

[@danielbilik9282]

me 2! i love and adore the scientific accuracy that was put into this game, all the names and the numbers. love it!

[@S.Kapriniotis]

Same here. In fact I remember reading the first negative comments on the art and I was like: "Huh??? are they serious? the art is thematically fantastic!"

[@michaelglass3863]

I agree, I kind of like the card art. The card stock is pretty bad though, and the components just feel... cheap.

[@damiracle5767]

I still don’t understand how a person can be so eloquent in how they talk about board games. Great video! I’m among those who love TM and I would say I’m pretty sure most people that own the game play it with drafting. I never fault anyone who doesn’t like it though, because it definitely is a game that is meant for people that want an engine builder through and through.

[@jacobulrich4154]

I have played this game twice. The first time was without the draft element. The 2nd time I played with the draft and it made the game so much better. It's a whole different experience that's really enjoyable

[@007Kiristo]

This is one of my favorite games of all time, and I have played it a bunch. I have yet to try the drafting variant, so I don't think its essential. I love how many different ways you can build your engine and how many different ways are viable for victory. So many options, so much fun.

[@KatieBarnett5]

We don't use drafting with new players (especially if they are not experienced gamers) as it slows the game down and adds potential analysis paralysis. But with regular players 100% drafting is needed. Also adding in all the expansions (especially turmoil) greatly changes and adds variety to the game. We love it and play it pretty much weekly!

[@KesSharann]

Drafting is a must.. for somewhat (more) experienced board game players. It increases decision making and player interaction. Alternating drafting direction is also important to that so you're not picking on one player the whole game. Drafting adds a layer onto a game that already is a bit much for a novice board game player, which is why it's a variant. It's a game that already has a lot of moving parts and you have to be able to switch up plans every generation and often enough every turn.

[@carries8052]

Had fun playing with you! I was impressed your forest strategy worked so well! Also you're right it's pretty ugly. I'd so pay for a new skin for it. Digital app is better.

[@Raistlin2k]

Ther are 3rd Tiles and othe Addons in the Big Box. Nothing wich changes the old card but still.

[@TheErnieforss]

If you have the all in pledge. One of the expansion has cardboard player matts instead of that crummy paper matt. It holds the cubes so much better.

[@foyoGames]

Moral of the story: don't get so caught up in art & drabness ...it's a euro!

[@kevinbertram4828]

There is no reason a Euro cannot be beautiful.

[@foyoGames]

@@kevinbertram4828 yeah, but it's not the norm, u gotta focus on the math, can't be getting all distracted

[@matthewguile8485]

@@kevinbertram4828 I present ya with Scythe. :P

[@KesSharann]

@@matthewguile8485 Scythe is a hybrid of Euro and Ameritrash. You are very much encouraged to fight, just not all the time. It's also a very visually busy board and stuff gets lost on it. The board is rather ugly.

[@rioterism]

Me and my play group have played the crap out of Terraforming Mars and we keep doing it because the game is really really good. So many options for different strategies, ways to win, combos, makes it interesting every time. It is rather strange you managed to win your first game only by creating forests (which indeed is one of the most important things in the game) but if you play with seasoned players you will see that you gotta have a very well developed overall engine in order to take the win - aka not be good at one specific thing but at few different layers. Good that you decided to give a chance this awesome game ;)

[@crivgil]

We play with prelude, colonies, corporate era and sometimes with alternate maps but always we use drafting, when we add more expansions we house tule the game dealing 3 corps instead 2 and 15 cards to choose from the beginning, it makes the game more strategical and balanced as for my experience

[@SleepyHDS]

The drafting phase is one of the best parts of the game. I understood that "variant" to be the defacto advanced version of the game.

[@thomasromanelli2561]

During the TMBB Kickstarter campaign, a number of backers requested a SG of "new art for cards". It obviously never happened. However ironic it may seem, the clip art-style has grown on me and now I can't imagine TM cards having "real artwork". Still happy to be getting all those fancy 3D tiles, though! 🖖

[@johninnaperville]

Glad you got to play it and enjoyed it. It is definitely a data point that says a game can be great even with comparatively low artistic qualities. The facts that you bring up about how the game elements work together and make sense in what they say they are doing are definitely part of the charm. I think drafting is optional to make the base game streamlined for people getting started. They also base game with less cards and starting corporations. I agree that drafting makes a good game much better. Prelude is not as important, but also adds to the game giving it a faster start and allowing you to pick a direction quickly.

[@ScytheNoire]

I was bummed that they didn't do new art for the Big Box release, since that is basically the final Collector's Edition version. It would've been nice if they really went all out for it before releasing the new version that is cards only. Drafting is the default, and I put drafting into almost any game I can, because it's such a great mechanic.

[@ChrisNother]

A very well presented review, I will definitely be watching more of this channel!

[@waldyro]

As i'm sure many have mentioned, Prelude is a requirement for every game (especially with corporate Era). We only started drafting in the last few games we played, but we don't draft the initial 10 cards, we have chosen from the ones we get. The downside to drafting is that it does slow down the game, especially if you have some people that aren't as familiar with it. The only reason I would not draft the 4 cards from step 2 is if the players have a hard time making a decision on which card to draft, but it does seem to balance it well. I remember some games that I never ended up drawing some types of cards. Early on I lost the special tiles, so I 3D Printed replacements and have replaced all the tiles with the RifRaf Terraforming mars tiles (I like their designs more than the kickstarter 3D tiles.)

[@Straddllw]

Drafting phase is essential. The first 2x I played this game we didn’t draft and the game felt very lacklustre and I didn’t get what the hype was about. It was actually frustrating because you couldn’t specialise and cards didn’t really synergize together. I rated it 7/10. However, when we implemented draft, wow this game really took off. 9/10. It would have easily became a 10/10 if it weren’t for the artwork. Brass: Birmingham was a 10/10 for me and if Terraforming Mars got the art treatment that Brass got, it would have been easily 10/10.

[@johnpanagos5835]

I had two bad games with TM and didnt want to play it, but i havent tried either prelude or the draft variant and i love drafting. Maybe i have to play TM again with them. Thnx for the video. Quack.

[@kevinbertram4828]

Prelude helps so much. As does a player tray so the game is not wiped out by bumping the table.

[@bigaleka92]

Prelude is a must for me. For more than just the head start. I love choosing the cards and I like the cost free instant benefit. I think it can make the solo mode a bit harder. But I still wouldn’t play without it. As far as the solo mode goes👌. Great video. Merry Christmas.

[@jackabbott7295]

I see dogs of war behind you! One of my all time favorites. So underrated

[@sudokuboy9]

I have never played the draft varient and never thought the game needed it. There are plenty of games out there that use card drafting. I like getting a random assortment and choosing which to purchase or not. It makes for some really tricky decisions especially early on when money is tight.

[@jimmykungberg308]

Drafting is a must otherwise it feels too random. I hope they put prelude into the digital version soon (if they dont already have) Prelude makes the game better.

[@johnpanagos5835]

That exactly was my problem with the game. Sold it, but now i have to try it again with drafting and maybe rebuy it :-)

[@JM-mv7sv]

Prelude is available in the digital version. At least it is on iOS as an in app purchase.

[@johnpanagos5835]

@@JM-mv7sv good suggestion

[@lynnbowers4722]

As a predominately Ameritrash gamer this is one of the few Euros I truly love. Easy to understand but with a great variety of strategies. And there is no reason to not play with a draft.

[@nova_crush8209]

I recommend buying some dual layer player boards from Etsy

[@toniibanez9570]

I played TM the first time in Essen as a prototype without the drafting and the comment I gave Jacob Fryxelius was to add the drafting to enable more control on the strategies. He answered he was planning to put it as a variant and that he always plays it with it...

[@LadyLagsalot]

First of your videos I've watched in december. That duck with hat and scarf is so adorable!

[@tvvista9715]

Not afraid to go against the stream here. We never play with drafting for essentially threee reasons. 1. It takes too long. 2. Making the most out of your given cards is more fun. 3. One of the most interesting decisions is cut off that way (Do i really buy four cards here or can i make that card work). I´m at roughly 50 games played.

[@beornthebear9023]

Played without drafting wrote the game off a yr later played with drafting and prelude and now it’s a favorite would never play without both

[@angye1037]

I'd sum it up like that: drafting is necesary to lower luck factor and enable more strategic and tactical gameplay, and prelude is necesary to make a quick start and counter the gamelength add because of doing draft. Regarding the "fancy" version, it does only add 3D tiles, unless you pay a significant amount for metal cubes. This game needs a general new face-lift, for example like the one Brass has received.

[@grimfodr837]

Played it only once but enjoyed it, was a good bit ago but honestly don't recall if we did drafting or not. I don't think we did. I just played the 'starter corp'. Ordered the big box stuff and looking forward to it, glad to hear about the draft variant and that prelude adds a lot. Hoping that the other expansions add good things too!

[@lagoondragoon]

yep its up there sharing the pedestal with gloomhaven, draft or not its all amazing both ways

[@joaocaracol8814]

This was my 2nd game in collection and, dispite the low components in it, i love the game, like the art (i Guess it fits into what the game os about, mixing reality with some fiction) and everyone who i presented the game, did enjoyed. Mechanics works realy well. Keep up the good work Quack 👍

[@andrewwagner2165]

Drafting is essential to enjoying this game. We draft corps, prelude cards and all hands. Prelude is a must play IMO.

[@noodlemans]

We play with drafting and prelude every game. Having the double layered or after market boards is essential I think. The other expansions are all modules that can be added or not and are fun.

[@wilsonw13]

I taught the game to a couple (one who had played a long while ago, but hadn't really liked it), and I just did it with choosing from 3 Corps (1 choice being the beginner), Drafting, and Prelude. They just make the game sooo much better, and are not hard to understand. All three loved it, and the one who tried it a second time said it totally saved the game in his eye's since he only played since it was better than sitting out. In fact the other two, when I told them after that they were playing with an expansion and variants, just couldn't believe it. And once told what it would have been without it, can't imagine not playing it with all those elements. I wouldn't teach it any other way. I wouldn't play the game without Prelude if I can help it. The other expansions (which when I play with experienced gamers we play with all of them) are still fun, not nearly as simple and gratifying.

[@KiirloNaidel]

Prelude is essential, drafting is absolutely the best way to play

[@Tjolmir]

I have never even tried Terraforming mars without the draft.. It is that essential

[@troy3495]

It's an exceptional game, one that I think artistically suits it's concept just fine. The only thing I feel really let's it down is its lack of dual layer player boards, too many pieces on a flimsy bit of card.

[@Mokkel73]

Beard matching box! Thumbs up!

[@BreakSpace]

It's fascinating how subjective opinion differs from one person to another. I bought TM mostly because visual appeal and how art direction managed to fantastically describe contemporary scientific environment. Game looks like educational science book in a good way, I love it. There is no game like this one. Although, we all agree on fiddly player boards. Thanx on first impression, keep up a good work.

[@rawbeanuk]

Personally I think non-drafting should be treated like the Beginner Corporations - fine for teaching to newbies so they're not overloaded with decisions they're not yet equipped to deal with, but once everyone is onboard it's drafting all the way. I think Preludes are always a no brainer, for speeding up the start. Even for new players they're not too difficult, but very worthwhile.

[@ZuZomboss]

Prelude and draft are mandatory. Various milestones and awards also.

[@bencapili1955]

I wholly agree that drafting is essential. It does lengthen the playtime marginally when first playing the game but it should be quick enough further down the road.

[@erikbergman5810]

Hey Quackalope! So nice to see you finally play TM. I have played this over 100hrs with my friends, and it is my no 1 game. I have the upgraded playermats, its a must! Prelude gives you a boost, and is for sure a good idea if playing corporate era, starting with 0 production. And I just tried Scythe, I know you rate it highly..

[@Mepper.]

What are some of the games you absolutely feel you must play? I still haven't played staples like Catan, Carcassonne, and Ticket to Ride...

[@ylek123]

I know it gets a lot of flack, but I absolutely love Betrayal at house on the Hill, and the Baldurs gate version. Fun party game, they can get complicated in the second phase though.

[@Jonas_Mikkelsen]

This was the first game I played beyond casual games (like Catan), and it was really fun. We did not play with the drafting variant, and I don't think I would like it as much, although I can't judge it before i've played it :P. I think it might push the balance of the game towards the corporation that can purchase cards for 1 M€ instead of 3? We also played with the prelude expansion.

[@robinrising9929]

I'm definitely a fan of the digital app with prelude getting it down to 70 minutes with two solo modes (ai and points)

[@kanedafx]

I wouldn't say it's point salady. Most of the point scoring you do is very purposeful and focused. You get points for very specific things, not for just anything. Cool video though! Totally agree about the drafting, btw!

[@kevinbrazee3778]

Thank you for your thoughts. Big fan of the game and always use the drafting “variant”

[@jpgelinas446]

Glad you liked it! I knew that you would enjoy the flavor text on the bottom of each card (which is pretty much all scientifically plausible btw). I now want to try the drafting variant of this game. Cheers for a masterpiece off of your shelf of shame! I strongly suggest that you try Spirit Island next : it is quite nice!

[@dav1dgear]

Draft is there to mitigate luck. Without it it would just be a matter of who draw the best card. With draft it's a bit more balanced

[@Axel_Vrarimor]

I'm really glad you liked Terraforming Mars. The first time I played it, I was not that impressed, but then I had the chance to play it more on the app and with friends and it quickly became one of my favorites, so much so that I jumped right in into that Big Box behemoth that they offered this year. Alas, I don't think they have a potato growing project or some winter ducks, but the pengüins are pretty :-)

[@JimmyMurphythemurphyfella]

Always interested in first impressions like this

[@firechickenreviews]

Drafting is not a real variant in my view as more of a core part of the game. Its just not recommended for new players similiar to using the Plain Jane Corps so that you start with cards and basic corp. Normally we always play with Draft unless new people are around.

[@Tanks.With.Teeth.Malloy]

I really like this new series. TM is a game on my list to play one day. I own the phone digital version but have been lazy to jump into it. Maybe I can play in the discord channel one day. Quack!

[@darrenq1067]

We got TM at the Essen the year of it's release. We have always played the drafting variant.

[@gwnorris6737]

can't wait for my big box to arrive

[@tonybowers9490]

Thanks for sharing. Always draft, always play Prelude. TM is in my top five games. I enjoy the solo play too. You're right about the art, but that never bothered me much. I really like the theme, the game mechanics. I like deck building. And, there are a lot of ways to build your deck.

[@rko3501]

Tried the digital version(both solo and against AI) but it did not clicked with me. While there are definately different strategies to use, it depends quite abit on the cards you draw(at least in the digital version). In the few games i tried, all the "strategies" i planned for in the first few turns did not worked. And by midgame, it becomes a mad rush for points with anything possible. lol

[@wsiegel9539]

Don't feel bad, I have yet to play this. Like you, for some reason I haven't pulled the trigger on getting a copy and getting it to the table. There always seems to be another game grabbing my attention. ( lately: Obsession, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Whistle Mountain...etc ) I will have to give it shot some time with Prelude and use the drafting variant.

[@namelessfire]

When I’m teaching Terraforming Mars, I don’t do drafting the first round just ease in new players and I introduce drafting the following round. By drip feeding the more advanced mechanics I’ve had a lot of success with uses TM as an introductory game for non-gamers. Players are so invested and engaged that once I introduce the concept of drafting and integrate it into the game, new players are thrilled with the added freedom. As for the art, it sadly kept me from TM for an embarrassing amount of time. But something strange happens after playing TM for awhile; much like Dominion or old school Magic art, I started to find the art strangely charming. It’s gotten to the point that I genuinely enjoy the art now.

[@TheHexyBeast]

I Been waiting for this!

[@brett232]

Love drafting, but I always start new players without it because they have seen no cards and not sure how the engine is built, but usually have 2 games we are drafting to get the real game

[@caseypeterson5827]

It's just a lovely game. I don't even mind the aesthetics, they're not modern day standards by any means, but I when I'm in the game, I don't care at all. As far as drafting, we do it most of the time but not always. And I still really enjoy the game when we don't draft. One thing that we tend to do is your first 10 cards at the beginning of the game are not drafted, and then the four cards you get at the beginning of each round are then drafted kind of leave some mystery as to what cards have already come out of the deck that you may not know cuz you're playing before you play your game there's 30 cards at the beginning of the game that you will never see but you might hope to.

[@mormorgranat]

Was the opposite for me. I was intruiged to try it but not to play a second and third time. Feels like a slower form of solitaire with fairly predictable outcomes after a while

[@SocratesRR90]

The Prelude expansion almost feels like it belongs as part of the core game. We never play without it. I love this game. I really wish the art was better. This game really deserves it.

[@Sebastian-rt9qf]

A proper confession, my son!

[@LenLindsay]

This is my favorite game of all time :) I have played it 66 times (I track my games with BG Stats). I have NEVER used drafting and have no desire to do so. I want to take what comes to me and make the most of it. I always use Prelude ... and now always use Turmoil as well.

[@lazulin]

I feel exactly the way you do. I don't mind dealing with what I'm handed. And I love both the Prelude & Turmoil expansions. I think they're great. The others I'm not keen on, except for the Hellas & Elysium boards. Venus and Colonies both feel like too much to me.

[@MrScrawnjuan]

I played it without draft and really didn't like it. Had a hand I think twice that I could do nothing with. Not sure I'd like it more with draft. Soured me on the game.

[@alessandroloru7786]

Hi jesse a non related question: will you make a top 2020 list? I would really love to see it.

[@damienbarber]

I've loved this game from the first time playing it back in August/ September (fairly new to the hobby). As a bit of a Sci-fi nerd, I was drawn in by the theme, and the game play mechanics are among the best in all the games I have played. This game is definitely in my top 3 of about 40-50 games I have played, and I anticipate it staying up there for a long time. I have played it with both drafting and non-drafting and I could play it either way. I would say for newer board gamers the non-drafting style is less intimidating, but drafting mode gives you better opportunity to focus in on the engine you are building, while at the same time mitigating lucky draws to a degree (non-drafting you could much more easily get 4 amazing cards, while someone else got 4 terrible cards). BTW, the person who introduced us to this game has wooden player boards with spaces for cubes that hold them in place, so they cannot easily be bumped out of place, and I see something like that as an ESSENTIAL add-on! I cannot imagine why they went with those cheap boards for a game that requires you to keep track of so many different resources and production, where the slightest bump of the board would lead you to having to figure out where all your cubes belong.

[@damienbarber]

BTW, I came here immediately from watching your video where you named this one of boardgameco's worst games. When I saw you had finally played it, I just had to see what you thought. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@j3errym]

Need to work co-operatively to save mankind as depicted by a competitive game.

[@strategolem9952]

To answer your question about the draft, yes, for sure, it's a must, and the prelude extension as well, as it gives the early game a very needed boost... But agreed, the production value is one of the worst i've seen... 50 euros for the core box, 20 euros for a simple 50 cards pack extension, and you get average card and ressources quality, no dual-layered player board, not even a simple storage solution: for such a successful game, one of the biggest seller on the current market, it just feels very, very cheap... And even with all of that, it's one of my most played games in recent years: one of the best tableau building ever, quite easy to introduce to new players for such a medium-heavy weight, very fun and very clever to play again and again with different strategies and objectives in mind, using some well designed gameplay mechanics... Anyway, glad you've enjoyed it despite its obvious defaults!

[@kevinbertram4828]

We always draft unless we are teaching the game to a new player - it can be a bit overwhelming, especially because a new player does not have any sense of what cards are valuable or helpful.

[@TheHexyBeast]

i actually dont use the draft variant im not sure why... im not even sure if it works solo lol

[@robertaustin6302]

I’m a TM fanboy and I own that completely. But man, I’m so glad you had a positive experience with your first play! There’s no defending the component quality, we’ve banged on this for years. It’s sad that such a well designed game came with all the janky components and dodgy artwork. Although I must admit, I kinda find the shasty artwork a bit charming. But hey, that’s just me. As noted before, I’m a fanboy. I totally get why the overall presentation would turn anyone off.

[@familymeeple]

Interested in your opinions on solo vs. Multilayer. I've not had chance to play this beyond solo myself but thoroughly enjoy the puzzle and engine building. Obviously, not able to implement a drafting strategy and not yet stumped up the funds for prelude, though heard good things. As always, thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions. Stay safe, keep well, Merry Christmas and keep playing lots of games! 😁❤👍

[@Kollider115]

To those who watch the podcast, i am curious have they played Spirit Island yet? Great video as always!

[@Cardsrock65]

I don't remember them having done Spirit Island yet :)

[@shinjial]

The variability of the game is where it shines. You can have so many viable strategies to win - you specialize (like you said you did) or diversify, you have to adapt to what the cards let you do, and how the players change the board. Paying attention to the three timer tracks is key as well, since they reward players that make an impact on them early and often, so it's how much room you have to move there and whether or not cards in your hand are worth it or not. There's so much you can do. The drafting is cool, but for me it's not necessary. I think it adds to the experience, but I play it mostly at two, so it's just faster to not use it. At this point in time I'm forced to agree about the overall production of the game (though I think it never aimed to be a pimped out premium product anyway), but only because I now own a couple of deluxe versions of great games and it does add to the appeal of those. But the opposite is not true for me - being unatractive does not harm the experience if the gameplay is solid. I'm glad you had a positive experience with it, it's really a great design.

[@kevinbertram4828]

I have played Terraforming Mars over 500 times, but I would not play it again without custom trays. And Preludes enhances the game significantly and cannot imagine playing with out it.

[@SkoobaNIK]

Cool gameboy shirt.

[@werekingdom5179]

I play draft for corps, prelude and cards.

[@ElTrolldego]

First time I played TM I didn't really understand it. Second time, I actively hated it. Third time, I started to see something in it. Fourth time, I thought it was quite good! And then it was downhill after that and I now consider it one of my favorites. Also, it should always be played with drafting. We do a 7-wonders style variant where you end up with 2 cards at the end of drafting instead of 1, and you choose one to discard and one to take. Makes for better options and strategies!

[@WernerFernandoOroxonRamirez]

Welcome to the love, it is a great game that needed better components and the regular Is there for those not use to the cards but draft is certainly better

[@joseg.6187]

Yay! Play with drafting!

[@BenjaminH_48]

It took me 3 games before enjoying this game. The first two games, I thought it was "meh" at best...I feel like I just couldn't figure out anything...maybe the ugly art was blocking my vision and strategies haha. But my third game was enjoyable and would love to play again even though art and components are bad and the theme, for me, is just "ok".

[@johnpanagos5835]

I should have played the 3rd game before sell it. I stopped at the 2nd play.

[@RenbroNL]

This game is definitely needs a 2nd edition that is more beautiful. I'm also one of those people that is overlooking it due to that, granted I'm new to the hobby. I bet there are loads of people that are similar.

[@joeferreti9442]

Era of Corporations + Drafting + Prelude is the best way to play the game. That's what I recommend. The game is still relatively luck-dependent even with drafting. Drafting is needed to balance lucky/unlucky draws a bit and adds some needed interaction. Where TFM really shines is the theme and the game dynamic (1 or 2 actions per turn, lots of things players compete for). I personally like the look of the components (despite them being not of the best quality). The only thing that is outright horrible is the player boards not being thick double-layered (e.g like the action boards from Scythe). The promo player boards that got released with the Turmoil expansions are still horrible in my opinion. But I understand that TFM is not a game for everyone. You have to like science and science-fiction and you have to like planning/calculating for efficiency. And of course you have to be ok with the long playing time.

[@AzureRaiden]

This makes me wonder if there are other games you've been putting off playing, and with this positive experience, are you now more interested in playing those games? If there are a couple that fit this criteria, it could be content for a new video.

[@RadiumVader]

Nice that you finally had a chance to try out this game. I agree that drafting is essential. If you skip it, you can have a horrible combination of cards while another player might be super lucky. Also, I would never again play without Prelude. The starting phase is super boring without this expansion. Haven't played it in a while myself, partially because I hate the design, but mostly because there are so many new things to try 😂

[@JohnnyLeyenda]

The designer actually based the card style and layout on the ugly scientific magazine articles you can find. That's why they look so weird. Plus, yeah, drafting and Prelude are pretty much the best way to play, IMO. I can play without Prelude even, but drafting is a MUST. It took me 3-4 plays for the flow of the game finally clicked. I LOVE the game, I 3D printed the tiles as well, and it makes it even nicer looking. Hellas and Elysium is also a pretty great expansion to vary the strategy. I wasn't too keen on Colonies, Venus Next or Conflict, really. I feel they add too much stuff the game doesn't really need.

[@jobodumb]

I definitely like this game ( only played solo so far) but I will say that, aside from how hideous the game is, the fiddlyness of managing all your resources was a the worst part for me. To the point where I actually just stopped using the cubes and kept track of my resources on a notecard and found doing that easier.

[@FrazierJustin]

I'm glad you finally got around to this - I'd be interested in seeing some playthroughs and some additional thoughts you may have after getting a few plays in. I agree the build quality is trash - I think that's the biggest downside. Thematically it's not the most interesting either IMO

[@Phalanx167]

Personally I prefer to play TM with either a draft for your opening cards or drafting patents over the course of the game. It feels a lot more thematic, keeps people from getting bum draws all game long, makes specialized engine building more interesting, and adds the tactical element of "hate drafting." Also I 100% agree that the game has awful components, especially at an $80 price tag. The player sheets are flimsy, the card "art" is insultingly lazy or cheap, the money cubes have their metallic sheen rub off over time. It's just a mess, but the game itself is still fantastic. Looking forward to playing with upgraded components when my friend gets his big box.