Terraforming Mars is getting bigger with the arrival of the Prelude expansion, a sizable shift in the architecture of the Red Planet. Asmodee Digital has just released this DLC content, so players will be able to enjoy enhanced gameplay mechanics and new terraforming strategies that will make the game feel fresh and more nuanced than ever before.

For those unfamiliar with the mission of players in Terraforming Mars, the setting is the 2400s and Elon Musk has finally seen the realization of his vision—Tesla and SpaceX have merged into a mega-corporation and taken over the world while they get Mars ready for full colonization and terraforming.

Just kidding. The time is right, but Musk isn’t around anymore. Except as a meme that will guide all of your decisions on Mars. Because players are in control of competing corporations that are trying to transform Mars into a planet where humanity can survive. Air needs to be breathable. Water needs to be abundant. The world needs to sustain life. Victory points are awarded to the most effective and extensive efforts that further the agenda of growing mankind’s presence in the solar system.

The Prelude expansion adds a lot of goodies for players to enjoy:

• Five corporations - Cheung Shing Mars (building-oriented stratePoint Lunagy); Point Luna (titanium production and Earth tags); Robinson Industries (well-rounded competitor); Valley Trust (three prelude cards); Vitor (money accumulation)

• Seven projects - Coordination of Research, Lava Tube Settlement, Mars Surface Survey, Monument to Sci-Fi Authors, Printed Houses, Psychrophiles, Space Hotels

• 35 Prelude cards - a new phase that speeds up the game flow, with early-game decisions that can affect and empower long-term strategies

So there’s a lot here that will add to the variability and replayability of Terraforming Mars. The expansion can be bought for $6.99 on Steam and the original game costs $19.99 if you don’t have it yet.

Asmodee Digital has been voluminous in their releases for digital board games in the last couple of years, and I have loved the ability to still play some of my favorite games during the pandemic when I can’t get friends together. And some of them I imagine I’ll continue to play well after social-distancing restrictions have been eased because they make the board game experience so much more accessible.

Here’s to hoping that Terraforming Mars is going to stay strong with this DLC release and future product support. If I play the game soon, I’ll be sure to share my review of the digital edition.

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