Super Motherload

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 579 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Super Motherload Game Cover
Without online co-op, Super Motherload falls a bit short of gaming greatness, but the marriage of entrancing sound and gameplay is still a fun experience.
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"Super Motherload" is a digging and exploration game set in a retro-futuristic Mars. Players manage their drill rigs, gather resources, and uncover secrets in a vast, procedurally generated underground world. Cooperative play, base building, and crafting add depth to this mining adventure.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 579 reviews
gameplay43 positive mentions
grinding28 negative mentions
  • Great nostalgia for fans of the original Motherload, with improved graphics and gameplay.
  • Fun local co-op multiplayer mode that enhances the experience with friends.
  • Engaging story and new mechanics, such as puzzles and resource combos, add depth to the gameplay.
  • Game crashes frequently, especially when using explosives, leading to frustrating experiences.
  • Lack of online multiplayer limits the co-op experience to local play only.
  • Some players feel the game is too easy and lacks the challenge of the original, with a simplified upgrade system.
  • gameplay95 mentions

    The gameplay of "Super Motherload" retains the core mechanics of the original while introducing new features like multiplayer and a mineral combining system, which some players find engaging and fun. However, many reviews note that the gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, especially in single-player mode, leading to a mixed reception regarding its long-term enjoyment. Overall, while the game offers a solid and nostalgic experience, it may not sustain interest for extended periods without the multiplayer aspect.

    • “The drill mechanic was fun, the cycle 'drill → get resources → sell → improve → go deeper' was rewarding enough to make you want to keep going, the fuel meter brought that 'push your luck' feeling that made you evaluate the cost/benefit of continuing or going back to the base all the time.”
    • “The mineral combining system is an awesome addition and adds depth to the gameplay; I found it fun.”
    • “The gameplay loop is solid and fun, with many hours of gameplay you can get in a single run, plus there is multiplayer mode if you have your buddies around.”
    • “On top of that, I honestly think this game was specifically designed for multiplayer as it takes incredibly long to clear the game on your own considering the monotony of the gameplay.”
    • “There's no point in this game; you will spend 50% of your gameplay going up and down.”
    • “They added a bunch of new mechanics that sadly fall short and fail to add much to the game, as the lack of reward makes it feel like a grind.”
  • story93 mentions

    The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it mediocre, poorly presented, and lacking engagement, often describing it as filler that doesn't significantly enhance the gameplay. Some appreciate the attempt to add depth and mystery, noting that it ties into the gameplay well, while others criticize it for being bland and forgettable, with amateurish voice acting. Overall, while the story has its moments and can be intriguing, it often feels secondary to the core mechanics and gameplay experience.

    • “The story is interesting as it deals with something many people today deal with themselves; corporate greed, and how it leads to ruin.”
    • “The story progresses as you dig deeper with fully voice acted transmissions.”
    • “One thing that Super Motherload also does really well is the storyline; it's interesting and ties the whole game together well.”
    • “The story is also poorly presented over some text message signals you get, no engagement, nothing.”
    • “The story was pretty bare bones (just radio transmissions) and the voice acting was pretty amateurish all around, so that didn't keep me either.”
    • “The story was a waste of the devs' resources.”
  • graphics50 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved visuals and art style compared to the original version, describing them as beautiful and well-optimized. However, some players noted issues such as performance problems, a mismatch with the game's feel, and a lack of engaging in-game visuals for upgrades. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered a significant upgrade, opinions vary on their effectiveness in enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The sound and visuals are a big step up; it looks and sounds great.”
    • “A very beautiful, streamlined take on the classic formula of the popular flash game, Super Motherload sports new graphics, a deeper narrative, and a few new quality of life features.”
    • “The graphics, music, and overall presentation are actually stunning, and the controls are really smooth and nice.”
    • “The graphics are worse, fullscreen has black bars around it and only takes up about 50% of your screen, and the game runs at like 30 fps, noticeably worse than the flash version.”
    • “Seems like there's some sort of memory leak, or critical error in something with the graphics.”
    • “While the graphics are better, my miner doesn't get stuck on random things, everything is smoother, I don't blow up when I run out of gas, there are more fueling points than just the surface, and there's interesting new explosives...”
  • music36 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its atmospheric and well-orchestrated soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some players expressed a desire for the original theme to be included, the new compositions are described as catchy and fitting well with the game's aesthetic. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and replay value.

    • “Not to mention the incredible soundtrack this game has; good god, the OST for this game is incredible.”
    • “The music produced by Eric is right on the money; I even purchased the whole album off his Bandcamp.”
    • “The soundtrack is lovely, having an industrial techno feel to it.”
    • “The only thing I wish this game had is the original music theme; there was just something about that soundtrack from the original game that I loved.”
    • “As your game sessions get longer, you might end up turning up your own music instead, as the game doesn't offer anything too exciting in the audio department after a while.”
    • “The music is terrible but I still enjoy it.”
  • grinding29 mentions

    The reviews highlight that the game features significant grinding, often described as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages where players must farm resources and navigate unresponsive mechanics. While some players find enjoyment in the grinding aspect, many express frustration with the lack of meaningful progression and the overall slow pace, making the experience feel more like a chore than fun. The absence of consumable shops and the need to backtrack for resources further contribute to the game's grindy nature, leading to mixed feelings about its value.

    • “This game combines janky physics, unresponsive menus, grindy gameplay, mediocre story, constant crashing, and a super buggy boss fight to make the perfect 20 hours of torture.”
    • “Getting to the final area is such a tedious slog because of how many random blocks you have to use bombs to destroy or can't drill at all, which means you can't make a straight down tunnel and you end up wasting half your fuel just getting back to where you were unless you waste a bunch of time farming bombs.”
    • “At this point, the main fun cycle of the game is gone because the ship’s improvements are already pointless, making the whole section feel extremely repetitive, tedious, and not fun.”
  • replayability23 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed among users. While some appreciate the variety of unlockable characters and multiplayer options that enhance replay value, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth, leading to disinterest after initial playthroughs. The emphasis on story and limited content also detracts from its overall replayability, with many players feeling it doesn't meet their expectations.

    • “Upgradable and unlockable characters add to the replay value.”
    • “It has plenty of characters with unique play styles and different upgrade trees, which provide surprising depth and replayability, as well as a fun multiplayer mode.”
    • “Finally, this game has replay value on top of the many hours of gameplay you can get in a single run, plus there is a multiplayer mode if you have your buddies around.”
    • “Dig, collect, refuel, repeat – addictive but ultimately unrewarding and lacking replayability – 4/10”
    • “By the time I got to a second playthrough, I was mostly disinterested, so the replayability is not that great.”
    • “Finished it in under 8 hours, not really any replayability.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for being unsettling and intriguing, enhanced by a powerful soundtrack and beautiful artwork. While many players find the atmosphere captivating and enjoyable, some feel that the overly bright visuals can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the combination of art and music contributes significantly to the game's immersive quality.

    • “The atmosphere just feels more unsettling.”
    • “This game's presentation is fantastic, featuring a powerful and atmospheric soundtrack by Eric Cheng and beautiful art by Scott Carmichael.”
    • “Besides that, the game has a very intriguing atmosphere that is really fun; the artwork and music are really well done as well.”
    • “The atmosphere just feels more unsettling.”
    • “Despite being a simple digging game, there is a crazy amount of atmosphere.”
    • “Also, the world feels too bright; this might just be an effect of playing on a high resolution, but it kind of ruins the atmosphere for me.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frequent crashes and stuttering issues, particularly on the latest version of Windows. While many appreciate the graphics and gameplay, performance problems detract from the overall experience, leading to lower scores from some reviewers.

    • “I was extremely excited when I heard about this game, and upon release, I was extremely satisfied with what they did with this game, from graphics and optimization to gameplay. Additionally, it has a lot of endgame content.”
    • “Is not optimized for the latest version of Windows and crashes quite often; the Steam achievements system does not work.”
    • “I know it's in early access, but there's a stuttering problem on my computer.”
    • “Particles and other elements are not too optimized yet, it seems.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding unintentional hilarity in voice acting and unexpected game outcomes, such as the "bad-bad ending." While certain elements, like nuke bombs, are consistently funny, the overall comedic value is diminished by low ore variation and occasional confusing bugs.

    • “Accidentally got the bad-bad ending and it was very-very funny.”
    • “Nuke bombs are hilarious.”
    • “The voice acting ranges from 'good but weird' to 'unintentionally hilarious'.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is notably poor, with frequent crashes, unresponsive menus, and various bugs that disrupt gameplay. While some players appreciate the overall experience, many report significant issues that detract from enjoyment, including daily freezes and a particularly problematic boss fight.

    • “This game combines janky physics, unresponsive menus, grindy gameplay, mediocre story, constant crashing, and a super buggy boss fight to make the perfect 20 hours of torture.”
    • “Game freezes up daily.”
    • “There are a few bugs and glitches that cause some crashes I have experienced, but overall this is a great game to add to the personal arcade.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply resonant, evoking nostalgia and heartfelt connections to their childhood experiences with the original version. The modernized approach is praised for its craftsmanship, enhancing the emotional impact.

    • “This game made me feel like I was a child again, playing the older version of this game.”
    • “But get it for Super Motherload too, which is a heartfelt, well-crafted modernization of a classic.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

Buy Super Motherload

Play time

5hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
3-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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