Terraforming Mars Ares Expedition Collectors Edition $48.94 + Shipping ($0 with Amazon Prime) @ Amazon US via AU

280

Affiliate

Go to Deal

Cashback

ausminstrel on 26/04/2022 - 12:39 amazon.com.au (645 clicks)

This post contains affiliate links. OzBargain might earn commissions when you click through and make purchases. Please see this page for more information.

Stronghold Games' Terraforming Mars Ares Expedition Card Game Collectors Edition is reduced from $72.19 to $48.94 (32% off). Best price ever according to CamelCamelCamel.

Ranked 205 overall on BGG and 135 in Strategy Games, this blending of the Terraforming Mars experience with the mechanics of Race for the Galaxy is comfortably playable in 60 minutes although, being mostly card-based, in my opinion it lacks the visual impact of the former. Nevertheless, almost all my gaming friends prefer this over the full-blown board game.
It is relatively easy to learn (and, if you've played both Terraforming Mars and Race for the Galaxy, you already know how to play), with the only rules concept I've ever found that causes confusion being recognising the difference between increasing production and receiving resources. I consider it a family-friendly game.

Price History at CamelCamelCamel.

Related Stores

Amazon AU

Marketplace

Amazon Global Store

• 

  Ayanami on 26/04/2022 - 13:01

  Already have and own the original with all expansions; any thoughts on whether this sufficiently different to warrant a purchase?

  • 

    RandomNinja on 26/04/2022 - 13:38

    +1

    This plays a lot faster with less kibble than the board game. Since getting Ares, our play group hasn't brought out the board game lol

  • 

    mackdiddy on 26/04/2022 - 15:20

    Sufficiently different, not really, no. It's just a faster way to play TM. Good game though.

  • 

    KnifeEnthusiastBoi on 26/04/2022 - 17:22

    Any less complicated but faster version of tm will probably be a hit with our group. The original version is too complex for 90% of our friends so, this might be easier for them to digest

  • 

    ausminstrel on 26/04/2022 - 17:30

    Per my post and as others have stated, defining it as a streamlined version of the original game is very accurate. I think it's also more engaging, as the mechanic for simultaneous play drastically reduces downtime but, arguably, may not have the tactical depth of the previous game because every aspect of it is condensed and/or simplified.

    I might put Ares on the table if I wanted a strategy game with family or non-gamer friends that would be done in about an hour. I would only get Terraforming Mars out with one of my gaming circles when we wanted to burn 2 - 3 hours, particularly if we were using some of the expansions. Consequently, the board game version will not get to the table very often - in fact, it hasn't been played once since I added the last expansion. The card game is much more likely to see repeated plays.

  • 

    Ayanami on 27/04/2022 - 15:29

    Thanks for all the feedback guys. Our group is quite happy with the complexity and time involved in the original game and expansions; we get it out around once a month, so will give this a miss.

• 

  Elijha on 26/04/2022 - 13:25

  +1

  Trying to see what makes this a 'collectors edition' Amazon has never been good at showing or separating editions or versions of things.

  Edit: Image shows "Duel layer boards and custom trays" to hold cubes.

• 

  Thrifty Dan on 26/04/2022 - 14:23

  -2

  Looks complicated and reminds me on settlers. I loved settlers.

• 

  zoltanc on 26/04/2022 - 15:57

  Great price.

  I have not played Terraforming Mars, but I am a big fan of Race for the Galaxy. At this price it is too hard to refuse!

• 

  BewareOfThe Dog on 26/04/2022 - 21:49

  -1

  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asmodeedig…
  12.99 on Google play store.

  • 

    zoltanc on 26/04/2022 - 22:49

    That’s the original Terraforming Mars board game, not Ares Expedition.

    • 

      BewareOfThe Dog on 27/04/2022 - 10:45

      Thank you for clearing that up (I thought so). I have bought a few Digital versions, so I can get a taste of the game to see if its worth buying etc.

• 

  zoltanc on 26/04/2022 - 22:56

  +1

  This forum thread has some comments giving an overview of what is included in the collector’s (Kickstarter) edition vs normal retail edition:

  https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2688924/differences-between…

  • 

    sakurakiks on 27/04/2022 - 02:32

    wow the dual layered boards are exactly what the base game needed. Wonder if these can be used for it? otherwise I might try copy and make some of my own!

    • 

      endlessZonk on 28/04/2022 - 09:24

      They already sell these for the base game, they're a little bit pricey but if you play the game enough then it might be worth it! Otherwise there are a bunch on etsy that have different designs
      https://morethanmeeples.com.au/product/terraforming-mars-dual-layer-player-boards-set-of-5/

• 

  thedt on 28/04/2022 - 10:04

  Bought it :D