Terraforming Mars: Venus Next Expansion
- Designer: Jacob Fryxelius
- Artists: Isaac Fryxelius
- Publisher: FryxGames, Stronghold Games
- Player Count: 1-5
- Recommended Age: 12+
- Playing Time: 90-120 minutes
- Year Published: 2018
Overview: “Terraforming Mars: Venus Next” is the second expansion for the popular board game Terraforming Mars. In this expansion, players take on the challenge of colonizing Venus, the second planet from the sun. This new expansion introduces a side game board for Venus, bringing additional strategic depth and variety to the gameplay. Players will build flying cities, reduce the greenhouse effect, and introduce life to Venus’ upper atmosphere, all while competing to lead their corporation to greatness.
Key Components:
- Venus Board: A new side board that focuses on the terraforming and colonization of Venus.
- New Project Cards: The expansion includes 49 new project cards that focus on Venus, adding fresh mechanics and strategic options.
- Venus Scale: A new terraforming parameter that tracks the progress of making Venus more habitable.
- Milestones and Awards: New milestones and awards related to Venus, providing additional objectives and competition.
- Additional Tokens and Tiles: Enhancements that integrate with the base game, adding layers of strategy and variety.
Gameplay:
- Venus Scale: Players must now consider the Venus Scale, which measures the progress of making Venus habitable. Increasing this scale can provide benefits and victory points.
- New Cards and Mechanics: The new project cards introduce mechanics that specifically relate to Venus, such as building floating cities and addressing the greenhouse effect.
- Strategic Depth: With the inclusion of Venus, players have more strategic choices and must balance their efforts between Mars and Venus.
- Milestones and Awards: The new milestones and awards provide additional competitive elements, encouraging players to strive for new objectives.
Pros:
- Expanded Universe: The addition of Venus adds a compelling new narrative and expands the Terraforming Mars universe.
- Strategic Variety: The new mechanics and project cards offer fresh strategic opportunities and challenges.
- Integration with Base Game: The expansion integrates smoothly with the base game, enhancing the overall experience without overwhelming players with complexity.
- Replayability: The new elements increase replayability, ensuring that each game session remains unique and engaging.
Cons:
- Complexity: The additional layer of strategy may be daunting for new players or those who prefer the simplicity of the base game.
- Extended Gameplay: The expansion can lengthen the playing time, which might be a downside for groups looking for a quicker game.
Conclusion: “Terraforming Mars: Venus Next” is a robust expansion that adds significant depth and variety to the base game. It introduces exciting new mechanics and strategic challenges, making it a must-have for fans of Terraforming Mars who are looking for new ways to enjoy the game. By expanding the universe to include Venus, this expansion offers a fresh and engaging narrative that enhances the overall thematic experience. Whether you’re building floating cities or battling the greenhouse effect, Venus Next provides endless possibilities for strategic gameplay and competition.
