Overview
On Mars is a complex Euro strategy game by Vital Lacerda set on Mars in the near future. Players are chief astronauts developing the first Martian colony by constructing buildings, mining resources, managing life support systems, and completing DOME missions. Players move between the Orbital Station and the Colony surface, with different actions available in each location. The game is played over several rounds of Colonization and Shuttle phases.
Components
- 1 main board (Mars Colony side and Orbital Station side)
- Player boards, Rover and Bot pieces
- Building tiles (mines, LSS buildings, shelters)
- Blueprint tiles, Technology tiles
- Colonist figures (Teal and Red types)
- Scientists, Earth Contract cards
- Crystal tokens, Mineral tokens
- Mission cards, Private Goal cards
- Resource cubes, Shelter tiles
- Landing Pod tokens, Ship tokens
Setup
Detailed setup involves placing the main board, setting up both Orbital Station and Colony areas, distributing starting resources, Blueprints, Technologies, and Mission/Private Goal cards to players.
Turn Structure
Each round consists of:
Colonization Phase
Players take turns. The actions available depend on whether the player is in Orbit or on the Colony surface.
Orbital Station Actions:
- Landing Pod: Choose a Landing Pod to land on Mars
- Obtain Blueprint: Take a Blueprint tile for future building
- Learn New Technology: Acquire a Technology tile
- Research & Development (R&D): Use Tech tiles for advantages
- Resupply: Get minerals and supplies from Earth
Colony Surface Actions:
- Control Center: Manage Bots and activate colony systems
- Construct a Building: Build mines, LSS buildings, or shelters
- Upgrade a Building: Improve existing buildings
- Welcome a Ship: Receive supplies from incoming ships
- Hire a Scientist / Take Earth Contract: Gain specialists or contracts
Executive Actions (available in addition to main action)
- Travel to Colony or to Orbit (costs resources)
- Boost Tech with Colonists
- Use Scientists for Advanced Buildings
- Complete Missions
Shuttle Phase
Ships travel between Earth and Mars, delivering supplies.
Actions
| Location |
Action |
Effect |
| Orbit |
Landing Pod |
Deploy to surface |
| Orbit |
Blueprint |
Gain building plan |
| Orbit |
Technology |
Learn new tech |
| Orbit |
R&D |
Use tech tiles |
| Orbit |
Resupply |
Get minerals |
| Colony |
Control Center |
Manage Bots |
| Colony |
Construct |
Build mine/LSS/shelter |
| Colony |
Upgrade |
Improve building |
| Colony |
Welcome Ship |
Receive supplies |
| Colony |
Hire/Contract |
Get scientist or contract |
Scoring / Victory Conditions
Game ends after a set number of rounds (determined by player count and variant).
Scoring sources:
- Completed Missions (DOME objectives)
- Private Goals
- Buildings constructed and upgraded
- Scientists hired
- Earth Contracts fulfilled
- Colony advancement
- Resource and technology bonuses
Highest VP total wins.
Special Rules & Edge Cases
- Colonist types: Teal Colonists and Red Colonists have different functions and placement rules.
- Life Support System (LSS): Buildings must maintain balance of water, oxygen, power, and food.
- Displacement rule: When building in occupied areas, specific placement rules apply.
- Bots and Rovers: Used to extend reach on the Colony surface.
- Mines: Provide ongoing mineral resources.
- Colony Status Update: Tracks the colony’s progress toward self-sufficiency.
- Mars Crystals: Special resources with unique uses.
- Solo, 2-player, and variant rules included.
Player Reference
Round: Colonization Phase (take turns with actions) → Shuttle Phase
Location matters: Orbit = different actions vs. Colony
Key resources: Minerals, Blueprints, Technology, Colonists
Travel: Moving between Orbit and Colony costs resources
Win: Most VP from Missions, Buildings, Scientists, Contracts