Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 23
  2. Negative: 3 out of 23
  1. Feb 16, 2016
    80
    Tharsis is FTL for real cosmonauts who know problems are solved by random dice throw and by marginal ability to strategize in unclear situations. And it's funny!
  2. Jan 18, 2016
    78
    Tharsis is an harsh and unforgiving game which can make you feel miserable and alone, just like an astronaut on a derelict spaceship. The dice mechanics are nice, but sometimes it's too random to be engaging.
  3. Jan 18, 2016
    75
    Tharsis offers some interesting mechanics, a story with little innovation but plenty of space for the player to create his narrative, and a lot of replayability, but all of that comes at a price: the difficulty level that can make players abandon the title before they see everything it has to offer.
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  1. Jan 14, 2016
    We admit that Tharsis lacks the key aspect that often makes dice-rolling board games so much easier to stomach: a way to include other friends' successes, failures, and diplomatic strides in the mix. Failure by luck always goes down smoother as a communal activity, after all. But we're not sure how well this game's design would adapt to multiplayer play. So long as you gird your single-player loins for that failing, you're in for the slickest board-game/craps-table hybrid to ever reach gamers' bloody, cannibalistic hands.
  2. It’s short, it’s brutal to the point of unfair, and I haven’t even mentioned half the things you need to manage, because I don’t wish to either spoil or overload you.
User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 58
  2. Negative: 28 out of 58
  1. Jan 12, 2016
    4
    I really like the premise of this game, but this would be MUCH better as a tabletop game. Its almost weird that they made it a PC game.I really like the premise of this game, but this would be MUCH better as a tabletop game. Its almost weird that they made it a PC game. Unfortunately I have a very bad feeling that the reason the game is so difficult is not because they meant it to be, but because they're trying to cover up the fact there there is very little to it. If you like strategy games, pick it up if it drops to about $2 or less. Otherwise, this wasn't worth the $10 I paid (which was on sale from $15). Full Review »
  2. Jan 16, 2016
    10
    This is a game for people that can think deeply and strategize. Tharsis is 100% skill based. The people that say it's just randomness couldThis is a game for people that can think deeply and strategize. Tharsis is 100% skill based. The people that say it's just randomness could not further from the truth. Events do drop randomly, but you can get yourself out of every situation.

    I do that a few issues with the game - but am still giving it a 10.
    Full Review »
  3. Aug 15, 2016
    10
    Brilliant little dice game, very atmospheric and addictive. I love the way every statistic is important and the way the gameplay forces you toBrilliant little dice game, very atmospheric and addictive. I love the way every statistic is important and the way the gameplay forces you to make tough decisions based on random events. There is luck involved in the same way as any dice or card game, but the mechanics allow you to manage your misfortunes in a number of different ways, and you can plan strategically to avoid losing the ship. I beat the game on hard mode after 10 hours / 30 plays. After that easy mode is a doddle, but it's still fun to finesse and improve your leaderboard score. Best game I've played in 2016, after wading through plenty of AAA games that mainly do the same thing as older games but have prettier graphics. Full Review »