Games like Terraforming Mars
If Terraforming Mars is your kind of game, the closest matches are Scythe: Digital Edition, Carcassonne - Tiles & Tactics and Through the Ages — picked from the ranked list below. Reviewers single out its engine building feels rewarding, challenging and contemplative. Each pick is ranked by what players of this game also play, shared genres and tags, and review-mined similarity — not a generic popularity list.
Get personalized picks →Terraforming Mars is a turn-based strategy game released in 2018 that tasks players with transforming the Red Planet into a habitable world through card-driven gameplay and engine-building mechanics. Set in a sci-fi universe where corporations compete to terraform Mars, the game features a karma-ranking system that tracks player progress across campaigns. Players can engage in solo mode or compete in online multiplayer, with a synchronous multiplayer system allowing for strategic battles across massive sessions. Reviewers highlight that card-driven decisions shape the game significantly while the clear interface enhances decision-making, and players describe the experience as both contemplative and immersive despite its challenging difficulty. The game is verified on Steam Deck and currently priced at $19.99 USD, holding a 69% positive rating from over 3,400 Steam reviews.
About Terraforming Mars: The taming of the Red Planet has begun! Corporations are competing to 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.
Players who liked Terraforming Mars also play
Steam players who put hours into Terraforming Mars also tend to own these titles — a signal called collaborative filtering. imho.run cross-references millions of library ownership patterns to surface games whose real audiences overlap, regardless of whether their genre tags match.
Scythe: Digital Edition
WHY THIS
Shares an immersive mood with Terraforming Mars.
Top pick for Terraforming Mars fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Scythe transports you to an alternate reality in 1920s Europa, one ravaged by the First World War. Take up the role of leader by assuming command of one of 5 factions, and set out to conquer the coveted "Factory". Lead your mechs to war and your people to victory!
Carcassonne - Tiles & Tactics
WHY THIS
Shares a contemplative mood with Terraforming Mars.
Second-strongest match for Terraforming Mars fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
The official adaptation of the famous board game Carcassonne! A modern classic tile-placement game based on the award winning game in which the players draw and place a tile with a piece of southern French landscape on it. The player can then decide to place one of his followers, called Meeples.
Through the Ages
WHY THIS
Shares a contemplative mood with Terraforming Mars.
Third-strongest match for Terraforming Mars fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Legendary board game classic from award winning designer Vlaada Chvátil
Eclipse - 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy
WHY THIS
Shares a stressful mood with Terraforming Mars.
Ranked #4 for Terraforming Mars fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
The galaxy, once peaceful after the Terran-Hegemony War, now faces rising tensions. The Galactic Council's efforts to maintain peace are failing as alliances shatter and secret treaties form. A confrontation looms—who will emerge victorious and rule the galaxy? Lead your people to victory!
Ogre
WHY THIS
Shares a contemplative mood with Terraforming Mars.
Ranked #5 for Terraforming Mars fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
The official adaptation of the legendary wargame from Steve Jackson Games. Engage in futuristic warfare with armored hovercraft, superheavy tanks, infantry, and giant cybernetic war machines called "Ogres".
Wingspan
WHY THIS
Shares engine building with Terraforming Mars.
Ranked #6 for Terraforming Mars fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Wingspan is a relaxing, award-winning strategy card game about birds for 1 to 5 players. Each bird you play extends a chain of powerful combinations in one of your three habitats. Your goal is to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserves.
Hex of Steel
WHY THIS
Shares an immersive mood with Terraforming Mars.
Ranked #7 for Terraforming Mars fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Hex of Steel is a refreshing WWII wargame covering all fronts featuring a certain amount of original mechanics. Fight in solo against finally a decent AI throughout Europe, Africa or the Pacific, or against a friend in the cross-platform PBEM or real time multiplayer. Coop is also an option!
Lock 'n Load Tactical Digital: Core Game
WHY THIS
Shares a contemplative mood with Terraforming Mars.
Ranked #8 for Terraforming Mars fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Lock 'n Load Tactical is fast and Furious tactical combat that is fast to learn. In LnLT you get squads, weapon teams, armored vehicles, fixed-wing aircraft, and, in the modern-era games, helicopters. Individuals such as Leaders, Medics, Snipers, Chaplains, Advisors, and, of course, Heroes.
Reviewers mention these as similar to Terraforming Mars
Surfaced from review text: when other players write 'if you liked X, try Y', we catch the name and resolve it back to a Steam game.
Ark Nova
WHY THIS
Shares a stressful mood with Terraforming Mars.
Reviewers of Terraforming Mars cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Plan and build a modern, scientifically managed zoo to support conservation projects in an acclaimed strategy board game.
Underwater Cities
WHY THIS
Reviewers of Terraforming Mars cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
The official digital port of the tabletop game which won 2019 Diamant d’Or – top expert strategy game. This digital version adds online multiplayer and AI opponents.
StrategySteam ↗Terraformer Expedition to Mars
WHY THIS
Shares a stressful mood with Terraforming Mars.
Reviewers of Terraforming Mars cross-mention this title as a similar play.
Earth is dying. In a desperate effort to save humanity, all the nations of Earth pool their dwindling resources together one last time to construct and equip three space ships. The mission: Terraform Mars and pave the way for human settlement of the planet.
End Of Legends
WHY THIS
Reviewers of Terraforming Mars cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
A blend of real-time strategy, auto-battler, and roguelike deck building, where you play as the Dark Lord who has lost his memory but retains his purpose to destroy his enemies. Unleash the dark memory, enjoy endless upgrades, vast battles, powerful spells, and ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION!
EarthX
WHY THIS
Shares a contemplative mood with Terraforming Mars.
Reviewers of Terraforming Mars cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
EarthX is a rocket company management game. Go from launching small rockets on Earth to eventually building a colony on Mars. Create your own Internet constellation, develop new technologies, supply the International Space Station and terraform Mars!
Gaia Project
WHY THIS
Shares a contemplative mood with Terraforming Mars.
Reviewers of Terraforming Mars cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Gaia Project is the digital adaptation of the boardgame Gaia Project created by Helge Ostertag and Jens Drögemüller and published by "Feuerland Verlag". It is a 1-4 player strategy game. It plays in the same universe as Terra Mystica and continues the adventure in the far future.
Race for the Galaxy
WHY THIS
Shares engine building and a contemplative mood with Terraforming Mars.
Reviewers of Terraforming Mars cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Explore, Settle, Develop, Trade, Consume, or Produce? Which do you need most? Which of Earth's former colonies will be most successful at settling the galaxy, now that JumpDrive exists? Who will discover the secrets of the mysteriously vanished Alien Overlords? Your goal: to build the most prosperous and powerful space empire!
Daybreak Slam
WHY THIS
Reviewers of Terraforming Mars cross-mention this title as a similar play.
Colorful characters clash in this beginner friendly 2D Fighter. Family friendly themes and aesthetics with simple combat mechanics make Daybreak Slam a welcoming experience for new players to the genre, and allow each character to stand out in their own unique ways that veterans will appreciate.
Cheaper alternatives
Games in the same vein priced at least 40% below Terraforming Mars at current Steam store prices.
Sid Meier's Civilization® V
WHY THIS
Priced ~63% under Terraforming Mars on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!
Slay the Spire
WHY THIS
Priced ~69% under Terraforming Mars on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
We fused card games and roguelikes together to make the best single player deckbuilder we could. Craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire!
Inscryption
WHY THIS
Priced ~60% under Terraforming Mars on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Inscryption is an inky black card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror into a blood-laced smoothie. Darker still are the secrets inscrybed upon the cards...
Cookie Clicker
WHY THIS
Priced ~75% under Terraforming Mars on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
An idle game about making cookies! Originally released in 2013 on the web, and actively developed since then. This is the official version for Steam.
FTL: Faster Than Light
WHY THIS
Priced ~50% under Terraforming Mars on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.
Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition
WHY THIS
Priced ~75% under Terraforming Mars on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Zombies are invading your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants! Armed with an alien nursery-worth of zombie-zapping plants like peashooters and cherry bombs, you'll need to think fast and plant faster to stop dozens of types of zombies dead in their tracks.
Your Only Move Is HUSTLE
WHY THIS
Priced ~75% under Terraforming Mars on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Master your technique, execute flashy combos, and outsmart opponents across the world, frame-by-frame. Slow down the clock to fine-tune your fighting style in this innovative, turn-based combat simulator. Pulverize your friends and choreograph spectacular fight scenes. No training mode required.
STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack
WHY THIS
Priced ~75% under Terraforming Mars on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Command or corrupt an entire galaxy in the definitive Star Wars strategy collection. It is a time of galactic civil war. Will you take up the reins of the Rebellion, assume control of the Empire, or rule the Star Wars Underworld?
Free alternatives
Free-to-play games that recommended players of this title also tend to enjoy.
The Lab
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Welcome to The Lab, a compilation of Valve’s room-scale VR experiments set in a pocket universe within Aperture Science. Fix a robot, defend a castle, adopt a mechanical dog, and more. Still not sold? It’s free!
Die in the Dungeon: Origins
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Fight your way through a mysterious dungeon in this deck-building, turn-based roguelike game where you don't use cards, but DICE! Deal with enemies by combining dice on your board, boost their effects with magical relics, and discover the story behind Die in the Dungeon!
Jigsaw Puzzle Dreams
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Beautiful Multiplayer Jigsaw Puzzle game where you can design the room you play in!
The Last Sovereign
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Explore a world torn between armies of lust and purity in which everything is more complex than it seems, deciding the fate of nations through might, politics, and finance. Every decision matters in an intricate saga that tracks thousands of variables.
Counter-Strike 2
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
For over two decades, Counter-Strike has offered an elite competitive experience, one shaped by millions of players from across the globe. And now the next chapter in the CS story is about to begin. This is Counter-Strike 2.
Dota 2
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Rainbow Six® Siege is the reference in tactical team shooters, where elite strategy and execution triumph. Enjoy free access to Quick Match, Unranked, and Dual Front game modes with a selection of operators.
SCP: Secret Laboratory
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Deep within a secure underground facility, a sudden containment breach allows many of the secured anomalies to escape from their chambers. Assist the Foundation in re-securing the facility, help the Insurgency in their goal to capture it, or wreak havoc as an SCP in a frantic bid to escape.
Narrow it down
Head-to-head comparisons
More from Artefacts Studio
Other recommendable Steam games by Artefacts Studio, ranked by review count so the studio's hits land first.
Garfield Kart - Furious Racing
WHY THIS
Shares a stressful mood with Terraforming Mars.
Another title from Artefacts Studio, the studio behind Terraforming Mars.
Garfield, the famous lasagna-loving cat is back to take on Jon, Odie and company in a no-holds-barred racing game!
Garfield Kart
WHY THIS
Another title from Artefacts Studio, the studio behind Terraforming Mars.
Join Garfield and his friends in the funniest fast and fur-ious game! What character do you want to play with? Garfield, Odie, Jon, Nermal... you choose! Take part in no-holds-barred crazy races.
The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos
WHY THIS
Shares an immersive mood with Terraforming Mars.
Another title from Artefacts Studio, the studio behind Terraforming Mars. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
Step into the wacky heroic fantasy universe of the Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. Lead a team of unlikely and clumsy heroes in an epic and challenging tactical RPG. Live an adventure filled with humor, surprises and silly encounters.
Agatha Christie - The ABC Murders
WHY THIS
Shares an immersive mood with Terraforming Mars.
Another title from Artefacts Studio, the studio behind Terraforming Mars.
The ABC Murders is an adventure and investigation game adapted from the classic Agatha Christie novel. You are the famous private detective Hercule Poirot and, once again, you find yourself up against a mysterious serial killer who goes by the name of "ABC".
Carcassonne - Tiles & Tactics
WHY THIS
Shares a contemplative mood with Terraforming Mars.
Another title from Artefacts Studio, the studio behind Terraforming Mars. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
The official adaptation of the famous board game Carcassonne! A modern classic tile-placement game based on the award winning game in which the players draw and place a tile with a piece of southern French landscape on it. The player can then decide to place one of his followers, called Meeples.
Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master
WHY THIS
Another title from Artefacts Studio, the studio behind Terraforming Mars. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
A dungeon in danger ! Build, manage, and defend your tower in the satirical heroic fantasy universe of Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. From a shaky establishment to an infamous lair!
Crown Wars: The Black Prince
WHY THIS
Shares an immersive mood with Terraforming Mars.
Another title from Artefacts Studio, the studio behind Terraforming Mars. Shares Strategy with Terraforming Mars.
The War of Crowns rages on. Knights and brigands run rampant throughout the land, sowing destruction. From your castle base, rise to become the lord who leads the battle against the forces of evil in this turn-based tactics and strategy game.
Moto Racer 4
WHY THIS
Shares a challenging mood with Terraforming Mars.
Another title from Artefacts Studio, the studio behind Terraforming Mars.
Choose from a variety of daring riders and get a taste of adrenaline riding freestyle or on the race course. Show your opponents what you can do with your best drifts and tricks! Show of your skills to win the championship and send your enemies of the road or into traffic for spectacular crashes.
Frequently asked about Terraforming Mars
- Is Terraforming Mars verified for Steam Deck?
- Yes — Terraforming Mars is Steam Deck Verified, meaning Valve has confirmed it runs well on the Deck with full controller, text legibility, and default configuration support.
- How much does Terraforming Mars cost?
- Terraforming Mars is listed on Steam at 19.99 USD (current store price; Steam sales may reduce this temporarily).
- Does Terraforming Mars have multiplayer or co-op?
- Yes — Terraforming Mars supports multi-player play according to its Steam store listing (Multi-player, Online PvP, Shared/Split Screen PvP).
- What games are most similar to Terraforming Mars?
- Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside Terraforming Mars are Scythe: Digital Edition, Carcassonne - Tiles & Tactics, Through the Ages.
- Who developed Terraforming Mars?
- Terraforming Mars was developed by Artefacts Studio and published by Twin Sails Interactive.
imho.run ranks Steam game alternatives using a mix of collaborative filtering (ALS / iALS / EASE / LightGCN), content scoring over genres, categories, Steam tags, developers, and publishers, plus AI-extracted vibes mined from review text. The page above is generated in seed mode anchored on Terraforming Mars.
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