Magic Maze on Mars (2019) Board Game

Magic Maze on Mars is a science fiction themed board game released in 2019, designed by Gyom and published by Sit Down! It is a cooperative game that involves exploration and navigating through a modular board in real-time. The game is suitable for players aged 8 and above, accommodating 1-6 players with the best experience for 3-4 players.

Game Components of Magic Maze on Mars

21 Mars tiles (8 of which are used only to adjust the difficulty)

20 Action tiles

2 Resource pawns each of 6 different shapes (yellow banana, metallic blue girder, green leaf, brown cow, orange ore, and purple crystal)

10 Trash pawns (black)

2 Space Slug pawns (pink)

1 “Do Something!” pawn

5 Colonist pawns

1 Communication board

1 Warehouse board

3 Wild tokens

4 Sand Timer tokens

5 Dome tiles

6 Bridge tiles

1 sand timer

1 rulebook

How To Setup Magic Maze on Mars

To set up the game, place the starting tile in the middle of the table. Deal out the appropriate action tiles and shuffle the four A tiles in a pile face down. Each player takes control of two or more colors, with each color being their responsibility for generating resources, moving resources, and performing other actions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together in silence, using a “Do Something!” pawn to signal actions.

Grid Movement: Resources and astronauts are moved along color-coded roads.

Modular Board: The board is expanded by adding new tiles as resources are used to open new paths.

Resource Generation: Players generate resources at factories matching their action tile colors.

Building New Tiles: Resources are used to add new tiles to the board.

Building Domes: Resources are placed on dome spots to build habitats for settlers.

Time Management: Players must manage the sand timer to avoid running out of time. Flipping the timer involves moving a resource onto a timer space.

Objective: The goal is to build domes, guide settlers to these domes, and ensure all settlers are safely in their habitats before the time runs out.

Player Experience

In **Magic Maze on Mars**, players are immersed in a real-time, cooperative challenge where communication is limited to non-verbal cues. The game starts with an introductory scenario where players can talk to clarify rules, but subsequent scenarios enforce silence. Each player is responsible for multiple colors, making the game chaotic yet engaging. The game’s difficulty increases with the addition of trash and space monsters in later scenarios.

Pros

Unique Cooperative Mechanics: Players must work together without talking, adding a unique layer of challenge.

Real-Time Action: The game’s fast-paced nature keeps players engaged and active.

Gradual Complexity: The rulebook introduces rules in a tutorial-style, making it easier for new players to learn.

Thematic Appeal: The space theme and detailed components can be very appealing.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Managing multiple colors and resources can be confusing, especially for new players.

Limited Content: Some players feel that the game’s content is exhausted quickly, with all scenarios playable in a few sittings.

Symbol Intuitiveness: The symbols on the communication board can be unintuitive, making it hard for players to convey specific actions.

Personal Thoughts on Magic Maze on Mars

**Magic Maze on Mars** is ideal for those new to the *Magic Maze* series or looking for a unique cooperative experience. It offers a challenging and engaging gameplay experience, especially for those who enjoy real-time and silent communication mechanics. However, for veterans of the original *Magic Maze*, it might feel less intuitive and less content-rich. The game is suitable for families and groups of 1 to 6 players, with a recommended age of 7 and above.

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