First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet – A Guide to Rules, Instructions & Strategy

Introduction

First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet is a game that takes you to Mars, where you and your friends work together to survive and explore. It’s a board game that mixes adventure, strategy, and a bit of luck. The game is known for its complexity and depth, which makes it a hit with people who love a good challenge. It was created by Ignacy Trzewiczek, the same guy who made Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island, so you know it’s got some serious board game cred.

The game came out in 2017 and has been getting people excited about space exploration from the comfort of their living rooms. It uses an app to help guide the game, which I find to be pretty cool because it adds to the variability of the game each time you play. The app handles things like the weather on Mars, which can really mess with your plans. The game’s got a story mode with different missions, which is like a campaign, and an open world mode where you can just explore and see what happens.

Rules for playing First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet

Okay, let’s get into the rules. First Martians is for 1 to 4 players, and it’s all about working together. You’ve got to manage your base, explore Mars, and complete objectives. The game has a lot of parts, but don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it.

Each player picks an astronaut with special skills. You’ve got six rounds to complete your mission, and each round has different phases. You start with the Morale Phase, where you check how your team is feeling. Good morale can give you bonuses, while bad morale can make things harder.

Next is the Production Phase, where your base makes stuff you need, like food and oxygen. Then, there’s the Action Phase, where you do your main tasks like fixing stuff, exploring, or gathering resources. After that, you’ve got the Working Block Phase, where you deal with any problems that came up during your actions.

The game uses action points, and you’ve got to decide how to spend them wisely. You also have to deal with events that can mess up your plans. The app will tell you what’s happening, like a dust storm or equipment failure, and you’ve got to handle it.

At the end of the round, you have the Living Block Phase, where you check if your base is still okay and your astronauts are healthy. Then, you prepare for the next round.

The game ends after you finish all the rounds or complete your mission. If you run out of resources or your astronauts get too hurt, you can lose before the game is over.

Equipment and Setup for First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet

For equipment, you need the game box, which comes with a bunch of stuff. You’ve got a board that shows your base and the Mars landscape. There are cards for equipment, events, and objectives. You also have pieces for your astronauts, buildings, and other things you’ll find on Mars.

To set up, you put the board in the middle of the table. Each player gets their astronaut piece and places it in the living area of the base. You sort the cards into their decks and put them where everyone can reach them. The app will tell you which mission you’re playing and help you set up the rest.

The tiles in the game show different parts of Mars. You’ve got tiles for the base, the areas around the base, and special places you can explore. Some tiles have resources you can collect, and others have challenges you need to overcome.

How to Play First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet and Game Mechanics

Now, let’s talk about how to actually play. Here’s a breakdown of the game phases:

1. Morale Phase: Check your team’s morale and adjust your resources.
2. Production Phase: Collect resources produced by your base.
3. Action Phase: Spend action points to do tasks like exploring or repairing.
4. Working Block Phase: Deal with any issues from your actions.
5. Living Block Phase: Make sure your base and astronauts are okay.

During the Action Phase, you can do things like:

• Explore new tiles to find resources or complete objectives.
• Repair damaged equipment in your base.
• Research new technology to help you survive.
• Build new parts of your base to get more resources or protect against events.

The game ends when you complete the mission or after six rounds. If you run out of resources or your astronauts’ health drops too low, you can lose the game early.

How to Win at First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet

Winning at First Martians is all about planning and teamwork. You need to make sure you have enough resources and keep your base running smoothly. Pay attention to the app because it will throw curveballs at you with events and changes in the weather.

Beginner players should focus on learning how the base works and how to manage resources. Intermediate players can start to explore more and take on tougher objectives. Advanced players will want to optimize their actions and be ready for anything the app throws at them.

Remember, communication with your team is key. You’ve got to work together to make decisions and solve problems. If you can do that and keep an eye on your resources, you’ll have a good shot at winning.

Best Strategies for playing First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet game

For the best strategies, you want to think ahead. Plan out your actions and make sure you’re ready for emergencies. Keep your base in good shape and don’t let your astronauts get hurt.

Here are some strategic plays to aim for:

• Balance exploring with keeping your base running. You need to do both to win.
• Use your astronauts’ skills to your advantage. Each one is good at different things.
• Keep an eye on the app and be ready to change your plans if you need to.

Sneaky tactics can include:

• Hoarding resources if you think there’s going to be a shortage soon.
• Choosing objectives that play to your team’s strengths.
• Fixing parts of your base before they break down to avoid emergencies.

Scenarios

Good scenarios might be finding a bunch of resources or completing an objective easily. Bad scenarios could be a dust storm damaging your base or an astronaut getting hurt.

To turn scenarios to your advantage, always have a backup plan. If you find extra resources, save them for when you really need them. If something bad happens, work with your team to fix it fast and get back on track.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet game

Here are some common questions and answers:

Q: How long does a game usually take?

A: It can take a couple of hours, depending on how fast you make decisions and how tough the mission is.

Q: Can I play the game solo?

A: Yes, you can play by yourself. The game has rules for solo play.

Q: Do I need the app to play?

A: Yes, the app is a big part of the game. It handles events and helps with setup.

Q: Is the game really hard?

A: It can be challenging, but that’s part of the fun. Once you learn the rules, it gets easier.

Q: Can I play with kids?

A: The game is complex, so it might be tough for younger kids. But older kids who like a challenge might enjoy it.

External Links

For more info on First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet, check out these links:

Official First Martians Page

And there you have it! I hope this guide helps you get good at First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet. Remember, it’s all about teamwork, planning, and being ready for whatever Mars throws at you. Good luck!