Description

Mars Rover is a solitaire game of Mars exploration. You control a robotic Mars rover across the surface of Mars. Your mission is to collect soil samples and upload the analysed data. You have a three-day deadline and need to contend with the harsh Martian environment, solar flares and marsquakes.

The game is card-driven by a single deck of cards with the status of your rover updated on a game playmat. During the game you will be regularly draw a card from the explore deck and a single element on the card will determine an outcome or provide event relevant information. Each game has a soil data upload target. During your exploration of the Martian terrain you will have to balance energy use for exploration, drilling for soil samples, uploading data and navigating away from rockslides.

Your mission is limited to three days and when you decide to end the day you can repair and recharge your rover. There are, however, opportunities for energy recharging during the day and a push-your-luck mechanism when considering whether to explore further or stop for the day.

The game ends on day 3 and winning is determined on whether you have met your soil data upload target and made it back to base. If your rover ever has 0% energy across drill, gyroscope and battery power, your rover is powerless on Mars and your mission has failed.

—description from the publisher