Terraforming Mars - Comparing the Digital Version with the Physical Version

Perhaps unsurprisingly due to its immense popularity and critical acclaim (not to mention the current trend of digitizing board games), there is now a digital iteration of Terraforming Mars. This game was developed by Luckyhammers, who have some pedigree for digitizing board games, with adaptations of Mansions of Madness and Catan under their belts, as well as a mobile version of Onitama. I was hugely excited when my friend sent me a link to the digital version, as Terraforming Mars is one of my favourite all-round board game experiences, and when I saw that the original designer Jacob Fryxelius had some input too, my hopes were high. But how does the digital version compare to the high acclaimed original? Let's take a look at some key differences (I will not be offering a review or summary of the original game here, so if you are not already familiar with it do check out some reviews of the original over at Board Game Quest or Dice Tower).

So with the digital game we have the same game board (locations of resources, potential ocean tiles, etc are identical), turn phases, objectives, and corporations. In terms of player experience, a huge difference with the digital version is the lack of player involvement in the Production phase (or as I fondly call it, the bean-counting phase). In the physical version, time must be spent at the end of each generation moving cubes around to represent the money, steel, heat, etc that your corporation has produced. This amounts to a significant amount of time spent on this activity during a game. Such cube management can be viewed in two ways: a boring, repetitive chore or a satisfying way of tracking your corporation's progress and potential. During my time with Terraforming Mars, I have slowly transitioned from the first position to the second, and now get something of a thrill from managing the fiddly cubes and swapping 5 single bronze cubes for a silver cube.

The digital game board before any actions have taken place.

In the digital version, as soon as you click 'pass' and end the Action phase, your resources go up and down in a matter of seconds, and then the Production phase is over. This has the obvious effect of reducing the amount of time and effort required from the player, with the knock-on effect that a game can be played in a much shorter time frame. In my experience, the length of a solo game drops from 50-60 mins in the physical to 30-40 mins in the digital, while a 2 player game goes from 90-120 mins to between 60-80 mins. The more substantial time drop for a 2 player game as opposed to a solo game is accounted for by there being no time spent waiting for the other player to take their turn. Additionally, it should be noted that the lower end of the digital 2 player time bracket (60 mins) is typically when playing against AI, whereas the top end (80 mins) is when playing online or locally against a human player. The AI comes with 3 difficulties (easy, standard, hard), which each correlate well to the realities of playing against them.

Another key difference is the lack of set up in the digital version. Rather than spending 5-10 minutes shuffling cards and sorting out cubes you simply click once and away you go! While some may miss this tactile aspect, I found it to be a welcome change from the laborious process of setting a game up. The subtle atmospheric music and space-age sound effects fit well with the theme, giving the digital game an immersive edge over its tangible counterpart (when playing the physical version my friends and I often put on some 2001-type background music, but it's nice to have it automatically taken care of). The animations are lovely too; it is particularly satisfying to see a greenery tile sprout up out of the red ground or an ocean tile gush and flow forth into existence. There is also a tutorial included, which is clear, concise, and doesn't outstay its welcome. This will be very useful for new players, and a nice refresher for seasoned Terraformers who may know the mechanics but need to familiarize themselves with the new digital layout.

As is to be expected given the absence of physical components, there is also a difference in cost. The physical copy has a recommended retail price of £64.99 ($69.95), whereas a digital copy is £15.49 ($19.99), although both can be found for significantly less when on offer on Steam or Zatu. Suffice to say that both offer value for money, and the cheaper, digital option is a great way to enjoy Terraforming Mars if you are on a tight budget.

So ultimately, it is horses for courses, and which version you prefer will depend on what kind of gaming experience you are looking for. The digital Terraforming Mars is effective at giving you a quick hit of the game, offering the same strategic options and exciting mechanics as a physical copy. The removal of any player involvement with resource management is a radical move in a resource management game, and a harsh critic might say it removes the soul of the game. However, I have found that the digital version serves a purpose: to scratch that Terraforming itch on the occasions when I long to play it but haven't got the time, energy, or physically-present friends on hand. While it would be unlikely to replace the physical game in anybody's collection, it does offer another way to spend time with a fantastic game. Crucially, both the physical and digital versions are enjoyable and deliver on the promise of a resource-management, engine-building game with Kim Stanley Robinson vibes.