Solo Challenge Game 4 - Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition

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For the 4th game of my solo challenge I played Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition. Designed by Jacob Fryxelius, Nick Little & Sydney Engelstein, and published by Stronghold Games.

Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition is an engine-building game with the goal of making Mars habitable by raising the temperature from -30 degrees to +8 degrees, raising the oxygen level from 0% to 14%, and increasing oceans by flipping over all nine ocean tiles. After these goals are complete the current round is finished, and the player with the most victory points wins the game.

The game is played in rounds, and in each round all players choose one of five phases which determines which activities will take place during that round. These consist of of building new project cards, taking actions, producing income and resources, or researching to draw more cards. All players can take actions in each phase that was chosen for the round, and will receive a bonus during the phase they selected.

In the solo game the goals are the same but you have only 25 rounds to complete them all. The opponent is represented by another set of phase cards that are randomly drawn for the first 4 rounds, and selected by the player in the final round which gives you up to two phases to act on each of your turns. To win the solo game you have to complete all the goals and score as many points as you can.

I played twice and lost both times because I was unable to raise the temperature and oxygen to the top of their respective tracks.

This solo game is very good, and has tactical decision making which aligns with a multiplayer game. It is however quite challenging as you have to complete almost all of  your goals yourself compared to a multiplayer game where all players are attempting to reach the goals at the same time.

Lot's of fun and I will definitely play again.

(For more info about the game including the complete rules, reviews, and game play videos follow the game links on this page.They will take you to the Boardgamegeek.com page for the game)

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

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