On Mars @ The Missing Piece

On Mars is a heavyweight strategy game by Vital Lacerda, known for his intricate, interconnected designs that reward careful planning and deep strategic thinking. This is one of his most ambitious and acclaimed titles—both a logistical puzzle and a thematic epic about building humanity’s first colony on the Red Planet.

This is for people who've played the game before. However, if you want a full teach, contact me beforehand (**Joseph Boland | Meetup) and I may be able to provide one.

Game Resources

• On Mars | Board Game | BoardGameGeek.
• How to Play On Mars - Official Tutorial from Gaming Rules!
• On Mars - Playthrough & Review.

Overview
Set in a near future where the first Mars missions have already landed, On Mars places you in the role of a corporate pioneer helping to develop the first self-sustaining colony. You'll construct buildings, develop technologies, manage supply chains, and coordinate actions between Mars orbit and the planet surface. The game’s signature mechanic—shifting between orbit and surface—forces players to plan around timing windows and long-term synergies.
Highlights include:

• Deep economic and scientific systems that interact in complex ways
• A dynamic turn structure that alternates between orbital planning and boots-on-the-ground execution

On Mars is best suited for players who enjoy games like Terraforming Mars, Ark Nova, or Lisboa, and who are up for a rewarding challenge. Expect a richly thematic, brain-burning experience where everything is connected—and every move matters.

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