First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet (2017) Board Game

First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet is a cooperative science fiction board game that was released in 2017 by Portal Games. Designed by Ignacy Trzewiczek, the game is set on Mars and challenges players to survive and thrive in the harsh environment of the red planet.

Game Components of First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet

Worker tokens: Each player has two tokens to place on various locations.

Facilities: Includes Solar panels, Oxygen Tanks, Farms, Science Lab, Garage, and Repair bay.

Resources: Energy, Oxygen, and Food.

Robots: Available for additional actions.

Event cards: Introduce immediate and long-term challenges.

Campaign and mission cards: Part of two separate campaigns and six standalone missions.

App integration: Though criticized for its weak implementation.

How To Setup First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet

Setting up **First Martians** involves a considerable amount of time due to the extensive components and complex rules. Players need to prepare the board by placing the necessary facilities, resources, and mission or campaign cards. Each player selects their worker tokens, and the game is ready to launch once all components are organized according to the scenario or mission chosen.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative worker placement: Players place their worker tokens on various locations to resolve actions.

Scenario-dependent goals: Objectives include collecting supplies, repairing facilities, studying specimens, and setting up the base.

Action resolution: Tokens can be placed together for guaranteed success or split for potential failure and consequences.

Facility management: Some facilities are passive, while others require specific activations.

Resource management: Players must manage Energy, Oxygen, and Food.

Stress management: Reducing stress is crucial to player survival.

Event handling: Dealing with immediate and long-term problems introduced by Event cards.

Player Experience

Playing **First Martians** is an immersive experience that simulates the challenges of being the first human colonists on Mars. The game is filled with excitement and tension as players navigate the harsh Martian environment, manage resources, and deal with malfunctions and injuries. The narrative-driven gameplay aims to create a compelling story, though it sometimes falters due to poorly written and illogical event scenarios.

Pros

Big, ambitious design: Aims for an epic experience.

Plenty of scenarios and campaigns: Includes two campaigns and six standalone missions.

Decent components: A large number of well-made components.

High replayability: Multiple roles and difficulty levels.

Cons

Weak app integration: Fails to enhance the game effectively.

Poor writing and immersion breaks: Events often feel out of place and illogical.

Extensive setup time: Requires a significant amount of time to set up.

Complex rules and poor rulebook: Can be overwhelming for new players.

Personal Thoughts on First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet

**First Martians** is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy cooperative games and are willing to invest time in learning complex rules. Despite its flaws, the game offers a unique and challenging experience that simulates the struggles of surviving on a hostile planet. However, it may not be the best fit for casual players due to its complexity and setup time. If you’re looking for a game that combines worker placement, resource management, and a strong narrative, **First Martians** could be an exciting, albeit sometimes frustrating, addition to your game collection.

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