Terraforming Mars vs Splendor

Side by side comparison of two top board games

Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars

⭐ 8.4# 4💰 $50👤 1-5

In Terraforming Mars, players take on the role of corporations working together to terraform the planet Mars. Players compete for victory points while raising temperature, creating oxygen, and covering the planet with water. Each player manages their own corporation, playing project cards that represent technologies, infrastructure, or events.

EconomicEnvironmentalScience FictionTerritory Building
Splendor

Splendor

⭐ 7.5# 207💰 $35👤 2-4

Splendor is a fast-paced gem-collecting game where players take on the role of Renaissance merchants. Players collect gem tokens to purchase development cards, which provide permanent bonuses and prestige points. The game is easy to learn and plays quickly, making it an ideal gateway game for new board gamers.

Card GameEconomicRenaissance

Specification Comparison

SpecTerraforming MarsSplendor
BGG Rank4 ✓207
Rating8.4 ✓7.5
Year Published20162014 ✓
Price5035 ✓
Min Players1 ✓2
Max Players5 ✓4
Play Time (min)12030 ✓
Min Age1210 ✓
Complexity (1-5)3.24 ✓1.79

Terraforming Mars wins in 5 categories, Splendor wins in 4 categories.

Terraforming Mars — Time Estimates

1-Player Game90 min
Quick session with a smaller group
5-Player Game120 min
Full table experience
Learning Session135 min
First time playing (includes setup & rule explanation)

Splendor — Time Estimates

2-Player Game30 min
Quick session with a smaller group
4-Player Game30 min
Full table experience
Learning Session60 min
First time playing (includes setup & rule explanation)

Category & Mechanic Comparison

Terraforming Mars

Categories
EconomicEnvironmentalScience FictionTerritory Building
Mechanics
Card DraftingEnd Game BonusesHand ManagementHexagon GridIncomeKill StealMulti-Use CardsOpen DraftingSet CollectionTile PlacementTurn Order: Claim ActionVariable Player Powers

Splendor

Categories
Card GameEconomicRenaissance
Mechanics
Card DraftingEngine BuildingHand ManagementOpen DraftingSet Collection

Rating Comparison

Terraforming Mars8.4
Splendor7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Which game has a higher rating, Terraforming Mars or Splendor?
Terraforming Mars has a rating of 8.4, while Splendor has 7.5. Terraforming Mars is rated higher.
Which game is more affordable, Terraforming Mars or Splendor?
Terraforming Mars costs approximately $50 and Splendor costs approximately $35. Splendor is the more affordable option.
Which game supports more players, Terraforming Mars or Splendor?
Terraforming Mars supports 1-5 players and Splendor supports 2-4 players. Terraforming Mars supports more players.
Is Terraforming Mars or Splendor more complex?
On a scale of 1-5, Terraforming Mars has a complexity weight of 3.24 and Splendor has 1.79. Terraforming Mars is the more complex game.
Which game has a shorter play time, Terraforming Mars or Splendor?
Terraforming Mars takes about 120 minutes to play, while Splendor takes about 30 minutes. Splendor is the quicker game.

Related Comparisons

Terraforming Mars vs GloomhavenSplendor vs Gloomhaven
Terraforming Mars vs Pandemic Legacy: Season 1Splendor vs Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
Terraforming Mars vs Brass: BirminghamSplendor vs Brass: Birmingham
Terraforming Mars vs Through the Ages: A New Story of CivilizationSplendor vs Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization
Terraforming Mars vs Star Wars: RebellionSplendor vs Star Wars: Rebellion
Terraforming Mars vs ScytheSplendor vs Scythe