Mission: Red Planet
- Players
- 3-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.3 / 5
- Year
- 2005
About the game
Mission: Red Planet is a steampunk-flavored area majority game set in 1888, where rival mining companies race to colonize Mars in search of Celerium, Sylvanite, and precious ice. Over ten rounds, players send special agents to load astronauts onto rockets while simultaneously sabotaging their rivals' efforts to do the same. Controlling regions after rounds five and eight earns score tokens, with a final scoring adding bonuses from discovery and bonus cards. Designed by Bruno Cathala and Bruno Faidutti, it blends area control with a character-driven action selection system and a hidden traitor twist.
Hobbli's Notes
A fun, tense area majority game with just enough hidden-role paranoia to keep the table guessing. The steampunk Mars setting is a delightful hook for an otherwise classic majority-control design.
What we like
- Clever hidden-role twist adds paranoia and bluffing.
- Accessible area majority rules that are easy to teach.
- Charming, distinctive steampunk Mars theme.
- Quick, tense rounds keep the pace lively.
Keep in mind
- Can suffer from kingmaking in multiplayer sessions.
- Some luck involved in card draws and turn order.
- Steampunk aesthetic may not appeal to all players.
Who it's for
Great for fans of area majority and light take-that games aged 10+, in groups of 3-5.
