Set on Mars in an alternate Cold-War era, Super Motherload is a 1 to 4-player couch co-op digging adventure with storyline by Image Comics' Kurtis Wiebe, a fully voiced cast of Soviet and American characters, and a procedurally-generated world that changes each time you play. Purchase powerful upgrades and supplies for your mining pod as you progress and prosper, as well as rare Specials Abilities with random availability.
You, the player, work for Solarus Corporation, an inter-planetary mining operation that has developed the infrastructure needed to harvest the precious resources of Mars to meet demand back on Earth. Soon after being dropped on Mars, you begin to discover that things aren't quite as they seem.
Included free with the Steam version of Super Motherload is Motherload Goldium Edition, the 2004 cult classic that inspired games like Infiniminer.
Super Motherload feels expertly hand-crafted and exudes more love and care than any AAA game could ever hope to. An inspiration to developers everywhere that balance and understanding of pace can carry even the most simple of games. Besides its small flaws Super Motherload is not only an example of a small game done right but, frankly, a joy to pla...
So bottom line, I became a bit addicted to the digging and gathering aspects of the game, and that's fine because it's a quality title. I have issues with the music looping at almost weird intervals when the music goes dead for minutes before starting back up, but that's pretty much my only complaint. If you're like me and have some strange affinity...
Out of all the digital launch games, Super Motherload is one to give you hours of enjoyment, simply based on its high replaybility. Not only are the level layouts different each time, skills and upgrades shift around as well, which will usually drastically change up the way you play.
For all of its obvious flaws, basic mechanics, and even more basic visuals, Super Motherload is still a great experience, one that you can pick up and play during a spare 10 minutes, or plough a whole afternoon into with ease. The bonus of unlockables and a multi-player mode ensure that this is one you can keep coming back to.
Super Motherload's premise of digging for richs on a lonely planet sounds about as boring as actually digging for richs on a lonely planet. But stick with it long enough, and you'll find an eerily soothing adventure with addictive strategy elements that make for a wholly enjoyable next-gen gaming experience.
