Brass: Birmingham vs Terraforming Mars: Which Heavy Strategy Game Fits You?
Brass: Birmingham and Terraforming Mars are heavyweight economic strategy games, but their economies behave differently. Brass is highly interactive and network-dependent; Terraforming Mars gives players more individual engine development around a shared map and global game clock.
Quick comparison
| Brass: Birmingham | Terraforming Mars | |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 2–4 | 1–5 |
| Play time | 60–120 min | 90–120 min |
| Main economy | Shared network + industries | Production tracks + project cards |
| Interaction | Very high | Moderate |
| Map | Shared transport network | Shared Mars tile map |
Brass has a shared economy
Coal, iron, beer, canals, rails and industries are connected through a common network. Opponents can consume resources you produced, helping flip your industry while also advancing their own plans.
Terraforming Mars gives more private engine control
Your production tracks, cards and tags form a personal engine, though players compete for map spaces, milestones, awards and the timing of the shared global parameters.
Card systems
Brass cards mainly determine where or what you may build. Terraforming Mars cards are themselves the core engine, creating production, discounts, resources and scoring effects.
Which fits your group?
- Brass: Birmingham: better for players who want dense interaction and a shared economic network.
- Terraforming Mars: better for players who want a large card engine with more individual development and solo support.
Full guides
Publisher sources
Comparison checked September 2026.