# First Martians vs Power Grid Boardgame

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | First Martians | Power Grid Boardgame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $8.99 |
| Rating | **[3.3 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-martians/id1254540696/reviews)** | [2.5 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/power-grid-boardgame/id1434690170/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **26** |
| Positive reviews | **33.3% of reviews** | 32.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 216 MB | 141 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Portal Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1251884458) | [Brettspielwelt GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1063292497) |

## What reviewers say

### First Martians

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-martians/id1254540696)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Power Grid Boardgame

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/power-grid-boardgame/id1434690170)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Expansion | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Faithful to board game
- 🚀 Games play fast
- 💡 Customizable UI layout
- 🌟 Great source material
- 🤖 Good AI players

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Cluttered interface
- 🤔 Confusing UI
- 😵 Non-intuitive controls
- 📉 Poor user experience
- 💸 Expensive for current state

**Reported bugs**

- Achievements disappear
- Cannot build houses
- Game cards difficult to recall when minimized
- Movable mini-window UI is buggy
- Requires force restart

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*