Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition

Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition is a fantastic game for anyone who enjoys engine-building games and the themes of science and space exploration. It's a streamlined version of the original Terraforming Mars, offering a faster and easier-to-learn experience while still retaining the core gameplay elements.

The game is all about card play and building an engine to generate resources, boosting the terraforming rating on Mars. I love how the game has a good balance between strategy and speed; it's not over in 20 minutes, but it's not a marathon either. We usually finish a game in a couple of hours, which is perfect for a casual game night. I appreciate that the game is easily scalable, and works well with different player counts.

The components are high quality, and I particularly enjoy the dual-layer player boards, which are really helpful for keeping track of all the cubes and resources. I also find the card art to be beautifully designed and thematic.

While I haven't played the original Terraforming Mars, this version is a great stand-alone game that I highly recommend. If you're looking for a challenging and engaging card game with a rich theme and lots of replayability, this is a must-have.