Mars Underground

About

Mars Underground is a single player role playing game with mystery, comedy and science fiction themes. It was developed by MarsUnderground and was released on March 20, 2016. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Mars Underground is an apocalyptic adventure where you relive the same day over and over. With each cycle new items can be picked up and topics unlocked. Explore the possibilities of this timeloop and uncover multiple endings.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 40 reviews

music5 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with a unique time-loop mechanic that encourages exploration and experimentation.
Quirky humor and interesting characters create a memorable atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
Multiple endings and a non-linear narrative provide replayability and depth, making it enjoyable for fans of adventure games.

The story lacks a cohesive conclusion, leaving some players feeling unsatisfied with the overall narrative.
Repetitive tasks and limited progression can lead to frustration, especially for those seeking a more streamlined experience.
Technical issues, such as achievements not working on certain platforms, detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

story
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
72%
14%
The game's story is characterized by its intriguing mysteries, engaging humor, and complex narrative structure, which allows players to unlock various story paths and plot twists. However, many reviewers noted that the overarching conclusion is unsatisfying and the narrative can be confusing, lacking a cohesive resolution. Despite these criticisms, the story's depth and the fun of piecing together clues throughout gameplay contribute to a compelling experience, making it appealing for fans of twisty storytelling in adventure games.
- “At first, it was just what I wanted, because you unlock more and more story paths while you discover new things and get confident with the world.”
- “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.”
- “A small town full of mysteries and weird characters, with complex story progression and multiple crazy endings with a meta-narrative plot.”
- “The game seemed to just want excuses to delve off into weird territory without making a cohesive story or reason to keep going.”
- “My only gripe is possibly that the story doesn't neatly wrap up in the end.”
- “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.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The music in the game is described as a catchy and enjoyable 8-bit soundtrack that enhances the retro aesthetic, although some players find it not particularly memorable. While the soundtrack evolves with the game's progression, creating a dynamic experience, there are mixed feelings about its volume and impact, with some suggesting it may be best enjoyed at a lower level. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's charm and humor, making it a notable aspect for many players.
- “As I visited new areas, uncovered new stories, and as new time periods became available, the nature of the music developed, shaping the impact of the game.”
- “The game will capture your imagination from the get-go and the music will have you bopping your head continuously with its catchy tunes.”
- “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).”
- “I had quite a few laughs throughout the game; I think one of the funniest things was when I criticized the soundtrack. I regretted that a few seconds later when the game just muted all sounds. I went back to maybe apologize and get my sounds back, but I later found out it was muted in the options screen.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The gameplay is characterized by a unique puzzle-centric approach that eschews traditional RPG elements like combat and leveling, instead focusing on addictive mechanics within a time-loop framework. Players appreciate the quality-of-life features, such as item retention and a helpful hint system, which enhance the experience without compromising challenge. The charming retro graphics complement the engaging gameplay, making the exploration of the game's world and its quirky characters a rewarding adventure.
- “The game manages the difficult task of making gameplay compelling and even addictive without combat or XP or other video game tropes.”
- “I also appreciate the many quality-of-life features in the game that they maybe didn't need but are what elevate the gameplay: you get to keep items between cycles, there's a very helpful hint system which helps you along 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 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 graphics are RPG Maker-like, but the gameplay doesn't involve grinding, leveling up, skills, and stuff.”
- “Neat gameplay that expands as the player 'frees' themself.”
- “Giant puzzle both gameplay and storywise.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The graphics are reminiscent of classic SNES and RPG Maker styles, featuring basic pixel art that complements the game's narrative and retro aesthetic. While some players find the visuals simple, they effectively enhance the storytelling and overall atmosphere, making it a fitting choice for fans of graphical adventure games. The accompanying soundtrack adds to the nostalgic experience, though it may be a bit overwhelming for some.
- “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 pixel graphics hook into the narrative quite well.”
- “I would highly recommend it for those who like a graphical adventure game with an atmosphere and some twisty storytelling.”
- “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 graphics are an amusing throwback to classic SNES gaming days that fit the topic surprisingly well. 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).”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players noting its solid writing and dark comedic elements that enhance the overall experience. Many found themselves laughing at various moments, particularly during clever interactions and unexpected twists. However, some felt that the humor did not fully compensate for the lack of a satisfying conclusion to the story.
- “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.”
- “Mars Underground is a fairly short game filled with mysteries and dark humor.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game offers a unique blend of non-linearity and repetitive cycles that enhance its replayability, allowing players to creatively explore different outcomes. While some users note limited long-term replay value, the engaging experience and exploration of the town make it worthwhile to play at least once. Overall, it is recommended for its enjoyable gameplay and intriguing mechanics.
- “Overall, it is a great game. It is fun to explore the town and figure out how to accomplish certain endings. While there may not be much replay value, it offers a great experience that I would recommend playing at least once.”
- “The non-linearity and repetitiveness of the cycles (i.e. each time you go back in time) makes for a surprisingly replayable and creative sandbox experience.”
- “After completing the game once, there’s little incentive to go back and experience it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an adventure.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate that the game avoids traditional grinding mechanics often found in RPGs, opting instead for a more streamlined experience reminiscent of point-and-click adventures. This design choice allows for engaging gameplay without the burden of excessive leveling or skill management.
- “The graphics are RPG Maker-like, but the gameplay lacks grinding, leveling up, skills, and other RPG elements.”
- “As a big fan of point-and-click adventures, I appreciate the similar style of gaming without the tediousness of endless grinding.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, particularly for its engaging graphical adventure elements and intricate storytelling that adds depth to the experience.
- “I would highly recommend it for those who like a graphical adventure game with an immersive atmosphere and some twisty storytelling.”