Terraformers Reviews

Mixed on this one, the main game itself is not a good one if you want a relaxing terraforming game. Your citizens unhappiness can spiral out of control quite quickly, so you're always playing catchup, and when it hits 0, you're done. Also not big on the idea of trying to put a deckbuilder element in, and mandatory saving of games at exit, and no loading of games except at the main menu. The custom game style with the unhappiness minimized is alright, but all trophies are locked.

Feels like Slay the Spire married to a min/max board game. Even got nostalgia hits of Master of Orion 2. I really like it and played three scenarios straight crushing them as they got harder.

Great game for those looking for a complex puzzle to solve where the pieces are different each time. It can be very forgiving allowing you to undo moves (outside of undoing things like exploration). However, even when the game is "unfair" on the higher difficulty it's still fun to try and complete the task at hand.

Fun game. Worth the money. I would say to those who complain about the constant needs increases - it is part of the challenge of the game. But with that being said once you complete a game you can do Leisure Mode afterward which removes the needs increases. If you have played the Terraforming Mars Board Game, then you will appreciate this game a lot.

Terraformers is a captivating city-building and strategy game that plunges players into the ambitious and fascinating task of transforming Mars into a habitable world. Developed by an indie team with a clear passion for space colonization and planetary science, the game artfully blends complex resource management, long-term planning, and creative construction in a way that both challenges and rewards players. It invites you to embark on a sprawling campaign of terraforming, starting from a barren red planet and gradually nurturing it into a lush, thriving ecosystem capable of supporting human civilization. For fans of thoughtful strategy and simulation games, Terraformers offers an engrossing experience packed with depth and vision. At its core, Terraformers tasks you with overseeing the gradual transformation of Mars’ hostile environment by balancing a range of interdependent systems: atmosphere regulation, temperature control, water distribution, and vegetation growth. Unlike typical city builders that focus primarily on infrastructure and population management, this game adds the unique challenge of reshaping an entire planet’s ecosystem over centuries. This grand scale provides a fresh perspective on resource allocation and prioritization, requiring players to consider both immediate needs and the long-term consequences of their actions. The sense of progression—from a barren landscape dotted with early scientific outposts to a green, vibrant world teeming with life—is incredibly satisfying. Gameplay is deep and multifaceted, demanding attention to numerous variables. Players must manage energy production, mining operations, water extraction, and agriculture, all while advancing technological research and expanding their settlements. The game’s pacing reflects the slow, gradual nature of planetary change, which means patience and foresight are essential. Each building, infrastructure upgrade, and ecological intervention must be carefully planned and timed to maximize efficiency and sustainability. This creates a rich strategic experience where no two playthroughs feel the same, as the procedural generation of Mars’ terrain and resource nodes offers varied challenges and opportunities. Visually, Terraformers presents a clean and intuitive interface combined with detailed, stylized graphics that balance realism and accessibility. The Martian surface is beautifully rendered, with realistic topography and evolving terrain that visibly changes as terraforming progresses. The gradual introduction of greenery, water bodies, and breathable atmosphere effects adds a rewarding visual feedback loop, reinforcing the player’s impact on the world. Buildings and machines are designed with a sleek, futuristic aesthetic that fits the theme of pioneering space colonization, and animations for resource flows and ecological changes help keep players engaged with the complex systems at work. One of the game’s standout features is its tech tree and research system, which unlocks new capabilities, buildings, and terraforming methods as the campaign advances. Research adds a compelling layer of progression, pushing players to adapt their strategies based on newly available technologies. Whether it’s developing more efficient solar panels, atmospheric processors, or genetically engineered plants, each advancement feels meaningful and opens fresh avenues for planetary transformation. This system encourages experimentation and replayability, as different research paths lead to distinct playstyles and solutions. Sound design in Terraformers complements the gameplay with ambient audio that evokes the quiet, isolated expanse of Mars. Gentle wind effects, mechanical hums from machinery, and subtle environmental sounds create an immersive atmosphere without distracting from the strategic focus. The soundtrack is minimalist yet effective, blending electronic and orchestral elements to underscore the grandeur and solitude of space exploration. These auditory cues enrich the sense of place and enhance the player’s emotional connection to the unfolding terraforming process. While Terraformers excels in delivering a unique and thoughtful city-building experience, it does have some areas where players might encounter challenges. The slow pacing and emphasis on long-term planning may not appeal to those who prefer more immediate action or quicker gratification. The complexity of managing multiple intertwined systems can also feel overwhelming initially, especially for newcomers to the genre or players unfamiliar with ecological simulations. Some aspects of the interface, while functional, could benefit from additional clarity or tutorial support to ease the learning curve. Additionally, because the game is heavily focused on systems and progression, narrative elements and character development are minimal, which may leave players craving more story-driven motivation. Technical performance is generally solid, with smooth controls and stable frame rates on a wide range of hardware. Load times are reasonable, and the game’s optimization allows for extended play sessions without significant interruptions. Occasional bugs or minor UI quirks have been reported but are not widespread enough to detract significantly from the overall experience. The developers have demonstrated ongoing commitment to updates and improvements, which bodes well for the game’s future growth and refinement. In conclusion, Terraformers is a thoughtful and ambitious city-building strategy game that offers a fresh take on planetary simulation. Its blend of long-term ecological planning, resource management, and technological progression creates a deeply engaging experience that challenges players to think on a grand scale. The game’s gorgeous visuals and immersive audio reinforce the awe-inspiring concept of transforming Mars into a new home for humanity. While it may not suit those looking for fast-paced gameplay or narrative-driven adventures, Terraformers is a rewarding and intellectually stimulating journey for strategy enthusiasts and space exploration fans alike. It stands as a testament to the possibilities of indie games tackling big ideas with care and creativity. Rating: 9/10

I would recommend this to people who like a turn based stradegy game. You learn as you go along and each run you unlock something new to try out. I've listened to podcasts and music while playing. It's a nice game to relax to.

A weird but cool blend of roguelite and strategy (managing resources) game.

"Just another turn" kinda game. And then it's 2am. Great game, doesn't require any skill: just take your time to think, make choices, explore and build.

This game is far more fun than I thought it would be. Def worth the 8 bucks I paid. That said a lot of reviewers are right that the simulation isn't dynamic enough. The ecology of the planet doesn't interact with itself at all and there are hard limits to the terraforming you can do which stops sort of even modern science at times unfortunately. If it was just a bit more dynamic this could be an actual terraforming sim game however at the moment it seems to shy away. That said there are a lot of people complaining about the randomness of the game and this just ignores the fact that there are facilities which appear quite often allowing you to bank more cards and have more pulls. If you enjoy building vast systems and optimizing efficiency across them this is a fun game. If you want a more dynamic sim that interacts with itself this isn't the game for you.

Almost endless replayabiliy, and always challenging when stretched to Unfair or Impossible difficulty, even after you unlock everything. Great game, I totally recommend it!