Should I Play Terraforming Mars: Prelude?
Players: 1 – 5 players | Game Duration 90 – 120 mins |
Min. Age 12+ | Game complexity: EASY Genre: Expansion
Solo game mode: Yes | Co-op: Yes |
Online Version: No
Hate Rulebooks? Check out our condensed How to Play Terraforming Mars: Prelude Rules Guide
What is Terraforming Mars: Prelude about?
As the mega corporations are getting ready to start the terraforming process, you now have the chance to make those early choices that will come to define your corporation and set the course for the future history of Mars – this is the prelude to your greatest endeavors!
In Terraforming Mars: Prelude, you choose from Prelude cards that jumpstart the terraforming process or boost your corporation’s engine. There are also 5 new corporations and 7 project cards that thematically fit the early stages of terraforming a new planet. Prelude is an expansion to Terraforming Mars, and can be combined with any other Terraforming Mars expansion or variant.
Prelude transforms Terraforming Mars-FOR THE BETTER!
It basically adds prelude cards to your deck that provide you with starting resources and/or abilities. Everyone receives four prelude cards. BEFORE choosing your starting corporation, you choose your prelude resources and abilities. Synergize your prelude cards and corporation cards for a nice start.
Prelude essentially makes the game shorter and gives players a clearer direction on what strategy to employ to win!
Prelude does not introduce any new mechanics or rules, instead it boosts players’ first few turns so that they do not have to spend all of their time producing resources. As a matter of fact, Prelude should be a part of the base game by now since it benefits the early generations so much you will wonder how you survived without it.
For a new player, the only drawback I see is that there are more decisions to make during setup and start of the game. If you suffer from analysis paralysis, you might find the additional choices to be a bit problematic as you try to find the perfect combination of all the cards dealt to you during setup.
Rules
Condensed How to Play Terraforming Mars: Prelude Rules Guide for rulebook haters
Terraforming Mars: Prelude Videos
Awards Won by Terraforming Mars: Prelude
2018 Golden Geek Best Board Game Expansion Nominee