In Terraforming Mars, players take on the role of corporations terraforming the red planet. By building infrastructure and raising temperatures, they aim to make Mars habitable while scoring points.
Sponsored by the World Government on Earth, Terraforming Mars allows you to acquire unique project cards (from over two hundred different ones) by buying them to your hand. The cards can give you immediate bonuses, as well as increasing your production of different resources. Many cards also have requirements, and they become playable when the temperature, oxygen, or ocean coverage increases enough.
Buying cards is costly in Terraforming Mars, so there is a balance between buying cards and actually playing them. Standard Projects are always available to complement your hand of cards. Your basic goal is your basic score, are based on your Terraform Rating. However, your income is boosted by your production, and VPs are also gained from many other sources.