Mars: Code Aurora

What is Mars: Code Aurora

Mars: Code Aurora is “a generic Sci-Fi or futuristic skirmish game that can be played with any type of miniatures thanks to rules designed to make the most of your collection.” It comes from the French publisher Studio Tomahawk, and North Star Military Figures publishes the English edition, announced for March 2023.

The default setting is Mars in the first hours of its colonization. Humanity flees Earth and eleven Arks carry the colonists to the red planet. One Ark breaks apart during landing, and that wrecks the balance between the groups. Then an alien delegation lands near Ark Three to deliver a message and is killed in the chaos. More unidentified starships arrive, and every faction blames the others.

How it plays

Any minis. It’s a generic system, so you can field any sci-fi range you own. North Star’s pitch is for veterans to “make some use of their minis gathering dust on the shelves.”
Small forces. Each side fields 8 to 15 figures.
Eight factions. Each faction has its own profiles and way of playing.
Simple, tactical dice. The book describes “a simple yet tactical resolution system.”
Scenario generator. Missions come from a generator built for replay value.
Other settings. An appendix covers alternative settings: a smuggler campaign in charted space, corporate wars in a bleak cyberpunk future, and a hunt for aliens and marines in a deep jungle. The idea is that you can build your own sci-fi setting around the collection you have.

How to start

Get the rulebook. It’s an 84-page softback, sold by North Star (product BP1846) and Gripping Beast. Both list it in pounds, so check the price in your currency at checkout.
Raid your shelf. You need 8 to 15 sci-fi figures a side, from any range.
Or pick up some marines. Gripping Beast lists four-figure sci-fi packs alongside the rulebook, including marines, marine characters, and heavy weapons and flamers.