Mars Underground
- March 19, 2016
- MarsUnderground
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Get on itch.io StoreIn "Mars Underground," players experience a time loop where every day is Mars' first day at a new school that ends in apocalypse. The game features a unique time loop premise with multiple endings and sandbox-style gameplay. With original music and easy-to-grasp controls, players can explore different possibilities and interact with various objects and characters to uncover the mysteries of this time loop.
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Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging time-loop concept that encourages exploration and puzzle-solving.
- It has a great sense of humor and well-developed characters, making the experience enjoyable and entertaining.
- The game offers quality-of-life features, such as keeping items between cycles and a helpful hint system, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- The ending of the game is somewhat unsatisfying and leaves many story threads unresolved.
- Some players found the story to be confusing and difficult to follow, detracting from the overall experience.
- Technical issues, such as achievements not unlocking on certain platforms, can hinder the enjoyment for some players.
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story is engaging and filled with intriguing plot twists, though it can be confusing and lacks a cohesive ending that ties all threads together. Players appreciate the humor and the gradual revelation of clues throughout multiple playthroughs, which enhances the overall experience. However, some feel that the narrative could benefit from clearer explanations and a more straightforward approach.
“For the price value, the game is excellent value for money with amusing and engaging writing, interesting plot twists, and a well-developed core mystery that is genuinely fun to try and solve.”
“The humor is solid and the underlying story is interesting.”
“It certainly doesn't hand the story to you on a silver platter, but you reveal clues to the plot in nearly every cycle that you play.”
“I would have liked to see a really cohesive ending that draws in all the story threads from the various endings.”
“The only technical issue I had with it is that no achievements ever unlock if you play in Linux, although I'll also say that the story is somewhat weaker than it first appears; it's never really explained what's actually going on or why, just escalates to a meta-narrative.”
“I kinda wish the plot was less trippy and confusing, but that didn't make me enjoy the game less.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and addictive, successfully avoiding traditional combat and experience points while incorporating quality-of-life features like item retention and a helpful hint system. Players enjoy the unique mechanics of a time-loop adventure, where tracking unconventional ways to break the loop is both entertaining and immersive, complemented by nostalgic graphics reminiscent of classic SNES games. Overall, the experience is enriched by the quirky characters and the fun of repeating the same day.
“The game manages the difficult task of making gameplay compelling and even addictive without combat, XP, or other video game tropes.”
“I also appreciate the many quality-of-life features in the game that elevate the gameplay: you get to keep items between cycles, there's a very helpful hint system that assists you without making it too easy, and when you die, the game often lets you restart just before that happens, without making you play it all out again.”
“The core gameplay of tracking down all the unconventional ways to end the 'Groundhog Day' loop is an amusing trek in itself, even as you get drawn into discovering the strange people who make up the town of Phobos.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
“I found the controls to be unresponsive at times, which led to frustrating moments during critical gameplay sections.”
“The pacing of the game is off, with long stretches of downtime that disrupt the flow and make it hard to stay invested.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game features a retro 8-bit soundtrack that some find unmemorable, while others appreciate its humor and aesthetic. Overall, the soundtrack is described as beautiful and complements the game's multiple endings effectively.
“The aesthetic and soundtrack are very retro (you'll probably want to turn your volume down a bit, though).”
“It's got a great sense of humor, beautiful art, and a great soundtrack.”
“The multiple endings and soundtrack are amazing.”
“The 8-bit soundtrack is, unfortunately, not that memorable.”
“The aesthetic and soundtrack are very retro; you'll probably want to turn your volume down a bit, though.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as basic yet charming, evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic SNES games, which complements the game's quirky narrative. While they may not be cutting-edge, they effectively support the engaging gameplay and retro aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience.
“The graphics are an amusing throwback to classic SNES gaming days that fit the topic surprisingly well, and the core gameplay of tracking down all the unconventional ways to end the 'Groundhog Day' loop is an amusing trek in itself, even as you get drawn into discovering the strange people who make up the town of Phobos.”
“The aesthetic and soundtrack are very retro (you'll probably want to turn your volume down a bit, though).”
“The graphics are a bit basic, but they don't get in the way of the story, which, while a bit confusing, is fun to follow through the continuous cycles. There is always a sensation that there's more to do even after completing the game.”
“The aesthetic and soundtrack are very retro, which may not appeal to everyone.”
“The graphics are an amusing throwback to classic SNES gaming days that fit the topic surprisingly well, but they may feel outdated to some players.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its solid humor, which complements its intriguing story and enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of humor with creepy elements, alongside beautiful art and a great soundtrack, making it a memorable title worth experiencing at least once.
“With its humor and creepy moments, it truly feels like a game that you should at least play once.”
“The humor is solid and the underlying story is interesting.”
“It's got a great sense of humor, beautiful art, and a great soundtrack.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the grinding aspect for its streamlined approach, likening it to point-and-click adventures that avoid overwhelming choices, making the experience more enjoyable and less tedious.
