Ad Fundum

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 149 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Ad Fundum Game Cover
Play in Arcadia
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"Ad Fundum" is a game set in the Age of Diesel, where you pilot a massive drilling mech to mine valuable resources in the Earth's depths. Sell minerals for profit, manage your mech's fuel and temperature, and avoid hazards to fund the restoration of your base. The game offers enhanced mining performance and base rebuilding, with the threat of conflict looming in the background.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Web Browser
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 149 reviews
story15 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • Ad Fundum is a fantastic spiritual successor to Motherload, capturing the nostalgic gameplay while adding depth with new mechanics and upgrades.
  • The game features a satisfying progression system with meaningful upgrades, diverse biomes, and engaging environmental challenges like earthquakes.
  • Players appreciate the chill and addictive nature of the game, making it a great choice for casual gaming sessions with a solid 10-hour playtime.
  • Some players found the controls to be misleading and the gameplay occasionally frustrating, particularly with the earthquake mechanic and the lack of clear instructions.
  • The story and dialogue received criticism for being poorly written and not adding much to the overall experience, detracting from the game's potential.
  • A few reviews mentioned that the game can become repetitive and grindy, especially in the later stages, leading to a desire for more content and variety.
  • story38 mentions

    The story in the game is generally described as simple and linear, with some players appreciating its decent quality and branching endings, while others find it trite and uninteresting. Many reviews highlight that the primary focus is on gameplay rather than narrative depth, with some players enjoying the light storytelling as a bonus to the mining mechanics. Overall, the story is seen as adequate for the genre, providing a backdrop for exploration and upgrades, but not essential to the overall experience.

    • “Amazing game, I finished it in one session because the gameplay loop was so addictive, without any frustrating mechanics and the story was great too.”
    • “A very fun mining game with an interesting story that kept my attention from start to finish.”
    • “The game has a story and several characters that you can talk to and hidden lore about early human civilization by way of old artifacts and such hidden in the ground.”
    • “The music was nothing special, nor was the story, which was pretty trite and uninteresting, but that's not necessarily a bad thing for a game like this, where the primary purpose is to mindlessly dig deeper and deeper.”
    • “The opening, the info dump, the storytelling, the writing for the characters… it’s all terrible.”
    • “I did struggle with the writing and delivery to start with, because I love story-based games.”
  • gameplay30 mentions

    The gameplay is generally praised for its fun and addictive mechanics, reminiscent of classic mining games like Motherload, with a solid gameplay loop that encourages exploration and resource collection. While the variety of biomes and environmental hazards add depth, some players found certain mechanics, like the earthquake feature, to be more of a hindrance than a benefit. Overall, the game offers a captivating experience with a good balance of challenge and reward, though some players noted a lack of clarity in tutorials and occasional grindiness.

    • “Good story and great gameplay loop.”
    • “Amazing game, I finished it in one session because the gameplay loop was so addictive, without any frustrating mechanics and the story was great too.”
    • “The multiple biomes and mechanics keep the gameplay fresh for a dozen hours.”
    • “I never got the final upgrades as they just stayed locked out despite buying all prior upgrades. The earthquake mechanic is more of a chore than a feature, as it usually went off for me just as I was so close to the next elevator or I'd just entered the mine, meaning I didn't get enough resources to justify the loss of fuel and hull damage.”
    • “I feel a few mechanics weren't fleshed out enough, and it piled up to a game that felt more like a chore to play than a fun experience.”
    • “I found the tutorial pretty bare bones, and I felt like I had to fend for myself with some mechanics.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it repetitive and unremarkable, others appreciate its thematic consistency and ability to enhance the atmosphere. Notably, the music's integration with gameplay elements, such as gravity changes, adds an engaging layer to the experience. Overall, it contributes positively to the game's ambiance, with many players enjoying its nostalgic qualities.

    • “The music is nice, and so is the story.”
    • “So far so good, loving the music and atmosphere.”
    • “The music was nothing special, nor was the story, which was pretty trite and uninteresting, but that's not necessarily a bad thing for a game like this, where the primary purpose is to mindlessly dig deeper and deeper.”
    • “Repetitive music and bad dialogue/story, fine.”
    • “The music reminded me a lot of the original and conveyed the right tone at the right places.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it starts slow and can become overly grindy in the later stages, the introduction of new tools and abilities helps alleviate some tedium. The game is designed around the concept of grinding, as players continuously gather resources to improve their capabilities, but the addition of features like an elevator enhances the overall experience. Casual gamers may enjoy the balance of grinding with light storytelling, though some may feel it becomes excessive towards the end.

    • “Got a bit too grindy in the last third of the game, and then showered you in resources when you didn't need them anymore.”
    • “Early game might be a little bit slow and grindy, but after that it goes faster.”
    • “Some parts of it can certainly seem grindy at times, but that's pretty central to the gameplay - you're picking up rocks to sell to get better at picking up rocks.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    The graphics are generally well-received, with users noting solid visuals that enhance the gameplay experience, particularly in varied biomes that feature unique challenges and aesthetics. However, some feel the graphics resemble a 32-bit style, suggesting a mix of modern and retro influences. Overall, the graphics effectively support the game's engaging mechanics and diverse environments.

    • “Good graphics back some really solid motherlode-esque gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is solid, the graphics decent, the biomes enjoyably varied in their challenges.”
    • “Really solid graphics, writing, and controlling the mech is extremely fun.”
    • “The graphics felt like a 32-bit game.”
    • “The visuals are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern titles.”
    • “The environments are bland and repetitive, making exploration feel dull.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game has limited replayability, with many players noting a lack of engaging content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While it offers some worthwhile Steam achievements, the overall experience is considered somewhat bland, particularly regarding the ending.

    • “Not too much replay value, but worthy Steam achievements.”
    • “However, from the perspective of a 2024 hit game, there is some feedback: the game's replayability, as of writing, is not great.”
    • “The ending is kind of bland, and there is not much replayability.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of "ad fundum" is praised for its captivating retro-futuristic aesthetic, complemented by engaging management gameplay and an intriguing storyline. Players appreciate the immersive experience, enhanced by a well-crafted soundscape and a compelling gameplay loop.

    • “With its captivating retro-futuristic atmosphere, management gameplay, and an intriguing storyline, Ad Fundum offers a thrilling experience for players seeking a unique and immersive indie game.”
    • “The motherlode atmosphere and gameplay loop are very well captured here.”
    • “So far so good, loving the music and atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
    • “Despite the potential, the game fails to create a compelling atmosphere that draws you in.”
    • “The environments are dull and lifeless, making it hard to feel engaged with the world.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Users praise the game's optimization, highlighting an excellent balance between price and performance.

    • “Great ratio of price to performance.”
    • “The optimization in this game allows for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the settings for maximum efficiency.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing premise of a robot engaging in a digging adventure, which adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to the gameplay. Players appreciate the comedic aspects that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions.”
    • “I couldn't stop laughing at the clever puns and quirky situations throughout the game.”
    • “The funny robot characters add a delightful twist to the digging mechanics, making every moment enjoyable.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report that the game experiences some bugs when played with a controller, indicating stability issues in that setup.

    • “The game is a bit buggy when using a controller.”
    • “I experienced frequent crashes that disrupted my gameplay.”
    • “There are numerous glitches that make the game feel unstable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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