On Mars

On Mars

Publisher: Eagle-Gryphon Games
Designer: Vital Lacerda
Artwork: Ian O’Toole

Overview

THE NEXT FRONTIER OF HUMAN ENDEAVOUR!

The first settlers arrived on Mars in the year 2037. Decades after the Mars Base Camp was established, private exploration companies began building a self-sustaining colony.

As a chief astronaut representing one of these enterprises, your mission is to pioneer the largest and most advanced colony on Mars. In the beginning, your operations depend heavily on supplies from Earth, requiring frequent travel between the Mars Space Station and the planet’s surface. As the colony grows, your reliance on Earth lessens as you construct mines, power generators, water extractors, greenhouses, oxygen factories, and shelters — all working toward independence.

To succeed, you must carefully balance water, air, power, and food — the essentials for human survival.
Do you dare take part in humankind’s greatest challenge?

Gameplay Highlights

• Theme: Space colonization and self-sufficient development

• Core Mechanics: Worker placement, resource management, engine building

• Gameplay Flow:

  • In Orbit, take blueprints, research technologies, and gather supplies.

  • On the Surface, construct and upgrade buildings, lead scientists, secure contracts, and explore with your rover.

  • During the Shuttle Phase, travel between the colony and the Mars Space Station.

• Objective: Contribute most effectively to developing the first thriving Martian colony.

Game Details

• Players: 1–4

• Playtime: 120–180 minutes

• Ages: 14+

• Complexity: Heavy

Why You’ll Love It

On Mars, from Eagle-Gryphon Games, is a masterpiece of deep strategy and immersive world-building. It challenges players to think critically, plan efficiently, and outmaneuver their opponents in the race to make Mars self-sufficient.

With its complex yet rewarding gameplay, beautiful artwork, and rich thematic depth, On Mars stands among the best strategy board games for adults — a must-have for fans of space, science, and smart planning.

Game Components

• 1 Game board

• 4 Player boards

• 4 Astronaut meeples

• 4 OP disks

• 16 Bot meeples

• 32 Advanced Building markers

• 48 Colonist meeples

• 4 Rover meeples

• 20 Ship markers

• 20 Cubes

• 6 Scientist meeples

• 1 Colony Level marker

• 1 Shuttle marker

• 4 LSS Track markers

• 5 Starting Building tiles

• 30 Building tiles

• 20 Shelter Building tiles

• 1 Removable Building tiles display tray

• 100 Resource tiles

• 30 Crystals

• 8 Research tiles

• 19 Discovery tiles

• 16 Tech tiles

• 4 Shelter Tech tiles

• 3 Mission cubes

• 1 Remaining Missions tracker

• 3 Mission markers

• 8 LSS Reward tiles

• 6 First Colonist tiles

• 12 First Colonist cards

• 1 Scientists and Contracts board

• 24 Blueprint cards

• 6 Scientist cards

• 12 Earth Contract cards

• 16 Private Goal cards

• 9 Mission cards

• 12 Solo cards

• 4 Player aids

• 1 Rulebook

• 1 Reference book