Comparison

First Martians vs Power Grid Boardgame

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

First Martians

This companion app enhances a board game experience by immersing players in the story of the first Martians. It offers hundreds of events and adventures, presenting challenges and obstacles through text and sound to create a compelling narrative.

Highlights
  • Hundreds of events and adventures
  • Text and sound narrative
  • Story-driven challenges
  • Campaign mode
  • Open world exploration
Features
Read full description

This is a First Martians board game free companion app. You need it to play the game. It features hundreds of events and adventures for great replayability. Through text and sound, the app tells you the story of first Martians and challenges you with tasks and obstacles. Immerse yourself in the presented world. Built on the core of the award-winning Robinson Crusoe: Adventure on the cursed island, First Martians: Adventures on the red planet pits players against the hostile Martian environment and a whole host of new adventures and challenges. The immersion experience is further enhanced with an integrated app that maintains the balance and challenge throughout . Players have the option of taking on the design as a series of separate games, in custom campaign mode in which each successive game builds on the last, or even an open world mode in which they are free to roam about the Martian surface and explore for as long as they can survive. WARNING: In order not to spoil your experience, do not explore the app if you do not intend to actually play the game.

About

Power Grid Boardgame

Engage in a strategic simulation of the energy industry, managing power grids across diverse global maps. Challenge AI or friends in real-time or turn-based matches, with a comprehensive tutorial and helpful in-game assistance for all skill levels.

Highlights
  • Global energy market simulation
  • Multiple map variants for diverse gameplay
  • AI and real-time/turn-based multiplayer
  • In-depth tutorial and context-sensitive help
  • Achievement system for challenges
  • Includes Recharged version with variants
Features
Read full description

Dive into the world of the energy industry with the Power Grid app, designed by award-winning author Friedemann Friese. Global Domination: Conquer energy markets worldwide on maps such as USA, Germany, France, Benelux, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Italy and the Middle East. Each map brings unique gameplay that will put your strategic skills to the test. Tutorial & Help: Whether you're an experienced Power Grid player or a beginner, the game features a detailed tutorial that walks you through the basics step-by-step. And if you have any questions while playing, context-sensitive help is available to make sure you're always on the right track. Achievements: Challenge yourself by unlocking a variety of achievements. These achievements range from strategic feats to special challenges. Recharged Version: The app includes the Recharged version with Against the Trust and MAGA variants that make the gameplay even more diverse and challenging. Exciting Gameplay: Challenge AI opponents or play against friends in real-time or turn-based. Online Domination: The Power Grid app allows you to compete against friends or rivals from around the world. The app gives you the opportunity to compete with players from all over the world. Choose your path: a variety of maps and map variants are available to customize and refine your strategy. Adapt to the specifics of each and outsmart your opponents to get to the top of the power industry. The Power Grid app has been carefully designed to seamlessly bring the charm of the board game to your smartphone or tablet. The intuitive interface ensures a smooth gaming experience for both experienced players and novices. Don't miss out on the electrifying fun and challenges offered by the Power Grid app! Download the app now and embark on a journey to conquer the power market one move at a time. Whether you're playing alone and looking for a challenge or you're a player looking to engage in epic duels with friends, the Power Grid app offers all that and more.

Screenshots

First Martians4 screens
Power Grid Boardgame4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: First Martians at Free against Power Grid Boardgame's $8.99. First Martians also leads on rating (3.3 vs 2.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

First Martians is free to download; Power Grid Boardgame costs $8.99 up front. Power Grid Boardgame sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. First Martians asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

First Martians holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 26 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 33% and 33% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

First Martians ships an update every 2 weeks, Power Grid Boardgame monthly. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
First Martians versus Power Grid Boardgame: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFirst MartiansPower Grid Boardgame
PriceFree — better$8.99
Rating3.3 (11 ratings) — better2.5 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews — better32.6% of reviews
Number of ratings1126 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size216 MB141 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperPortal GamesBrettspielwelt GmbH

Customer experience

First Martians

All ratings11 ratings
Positive45.5%
Neutral18.2%
Negative36.4%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral25.0%
Negative41.7%

Power Grid Boardgame

All ratings26 ratings
Positive30.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative61.5%
Written reviews43 reviews
Positive32.6%
Neutral11.6%
Negative55.8%

Bugs and requests

First Martians

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Power Grid Boardgame

Reported bugs

47 issues
  • Achievements disappear
  • Cannot build houses
  • Game cards difficult to recall when minimized
  • Movable mini-window UI is buggy
  • Requires force restart
Show 42 more
  • Automatic next action clipboard issues
  • BeNeLux 5th ecoplant "extended market" doesn't work
  • Blocks PiP and Music player
  • Game crashes when starting
  • Cannot return to saved games
  • UI broken, unplayable
  • Unresponsive menus and interface
  • Does not progress or explain rules
  • AI is buggy (invisible buildings/powerplants)
  • Fatal bug: cannot overbid in auction
  • Separate save system, no iCloud syncing
  • Info board scaling and drag broken
  • Game doesn't work, crashes on start
  • Cannot confirm city choice
  • Unstable UI, can lose map display
  • Crashes in phase III of online games
  • Online play unstable
  • Doesn't work half the time
  • Cannot resume saved local game
  • Cannot edit local profile name
  • Crashes randomly when starting game
  • AI players do funny things
  • Power plant auction window not displayed
  • Bugs fixed, but still issues
  • Gameplay is awful
  • GUI is non-standard but intuitive
  • Initial screen in German
  • Crashing issues resolved, but UI irritating
  • No music or sound effects during game
  • Poor instructions
  • Third player when selecting 2 player game
  • Tutorial is limited
  • App crashes when accessing help
  • Crashes frequently
  • Parts in English and German
  • Lost games
  • Screens flash, unclear round/phase
  • Crashes after pressing help
  • Cannot reload game
  • No games in online lobbies
  • Untranslated German text in menus
  • Online connection not available

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add a proper tutorial for gameplay
  • Include music and sound effects during gameplay
  • Allow saving and resuming local games
  • Enable editing of local profile names
  • Add iCloud syncing for save games
Show 2 more
  • Improve UI dismiss functionality
  • Add a clear indicator for round/phase

In-app purchases

None

First Martians

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Power Grid Boardgame

One-time1
  • 1. Expansion$5.99

Questions

Is First Martians free?
First Martians is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Power Grid Boardgame free?
Power Grid Boardgame costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, First Martians or Power Grid Boardgame?
First Martians is rated higher. First Martians averages 3.3 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Power Grid Boardgame averages 2.5 from 26 ratings.
Do First Martians or Power Grid Boardgame have ads?
Neither First Martians nor Power Grid Boardgame shows ads.
Which is updated more often, First Martians or Power Grid Boardgame?
First Martians ships an update every 2 weeks, and Power Grid Boardgame monthly. Most recently, First Martians was updated on November 2, 2026 and Power Grid Boardgame on November 2, 2026.

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