Do as Arnold says and get your ass to Mars
This week on the Epic Games Store, board game purveyorAsmodee Digitalis giving outTerraforming Marsfor free. Justclaim the PC gamebyMay 12to lock it up in your library.
As a quick aside, this music puts me in a real Commander Shepard state of mind.
Terraforming Marsis anadaptationof Jacob Fryxelius’ 2016 strategy board game, and like its award-winning source material, you’ll try to forget all of the terrible stuff you saw inTotal RecallandRed Factionas you work to bend Mars to your will. Progress must be made!
Corporations clash as you and your big-business rivals “transform Mars into a habitable planet by spending vast resources and using innovative technology to raise temperature, create a breathable atmosphere, and make oceans of water” to pile up Victory Points.
The PC game has single-player support if you want to really take your time, or you can compete under pressure with five others, whether that’s AI opponents or real players.
I wasn’t there at launch, but looking through the user reviews,Terraforming Marswas in dire need of bug fixing and other fine-tuning and it has gotten better with updates.
“As an avid fan of the board game, I can recommend this game for new and experienced players,”noted a playerwho goes by nimrod. “The way it keeps track of your points and cards is super convenient and the interface is easy to learn. If you enjoy a nice calm game to play alone or with friends that wracks your brain a lil bit, this one’s for you.”
If you ever need a feel-good palette cleanser, keep an eye onTerra Nil, too.
Next week’s free games are Prey and Jotun
Terraforming Marswill be free to claim and keep until May 12, at which point the Epic Games Store will swap inJotun: Valhalla EditionandPreyuntil May 19. Arkane’s paranoid space-station FPS with immersive-sim tendencies gets a lotta love around here.
