Parents' Guide to

Tharsis

By Franklin Rinaldi, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Challenging, complex survival dice game is hard but fun.

Game PlayStation 4 , Windows 2016
Tharsis Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this game.

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Kids say (1 ):

This isn't a game for those who want to take the easy path, because there isn't one. It's very unforgiving, and though on the surface it may appear that it's luck-based, it really is a game of strategy. In this turn-based system, you have to survive 10 weeks (turns) where you roll the dice to seal your fate. Tharsis is tough -- there are no bones made about that. The odds of winning are very low, and you'll fail many, many times before you really understand how to play. Many gamers won't make it through the steep learning curve and all the hurdles it throws at you.

But if you're persistent, it becomes evident that Tharsis is much deeper than it originally seems. The complexity in the strategy among crew, modules, events, and research take it to a level all its own. And though lady luck does play a factor, learning how to use luck to your benefit is what makes this game so addictive to those who enjoy the challenge. Tharsis is definitely not for everyone, but those who enjoy sci-fi, survival horror, tabletop, and dice-rolling all in one are going to love it. The rare times you win will feel like you've won the lottery and scaled Mt. Everest at the same time.

Game Details

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