Line #12 VideoGame/Motherload


1	[[quoteright:307:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/motherload_726.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:307:[[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Digging tunnels, day after day. That's my job.]]]]
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4	''[[http://www.miniclip.com/games/motherload/en/ Motherload]]'' is a [[UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash flash]] DiggingGame developed by [=XGen=] Studios in 2004. The game takes place on Mars [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture sometime in the future]] in a small Martian mining outpost. The player controls a lone [[DrillTank mining pod]] and is tasked to drill underneath the planet's surface in search of valuable ores. The gameplay is based on the mechanics of ''VideoGame/DigDug'', except that there are no [[{{Mooks}} Pookas and Fygars]] to be seen under the surface--the entire challenge of the game comes solely from navigating the hazardous Martian sub terrain for ore and hauling it to the surface alive with the mining pod intact and without running out of fuel. As the miner reaches deeper under the Martian surface, [[ApocalypticLog various clues and transmissions]] begin to hint at something [[DarkSecret larger and more sinister going on]], of which the answer seems to be hidden even deeper under the planet.
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6	Despite its infamously random [[spoiler:{{Gainax Ending}}]] of sorts, Motherload is easily one of [=XGen=]'s most popular, if not their most popular game to date. Another game based on the original, [[http://www.supermotherload.com/ Super Motherload]], was a launch title for the [=PS4=]. In addition to featuring HD graphics and local co-op multiplayer, it features new gameplay mechanics, multiple endings, and an optional "Hardcore" mode. Purchasers can also enjoy The Goldium Edition (Full version) of the original for free.
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10	!!This video game provides examples of:
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12	* AcceptableBreaksFromReality: Marsquakes will only occur when on the surface, so they can't actually trap you underground. While being trapped is unlikely to happen, it's not really impossible.
13	* AffablyEvil: [[spoiler: Mr. Natas, at first, who offers you money, congratulations, advice and safety warnings.]]
14	* ArtisticLicenseChemistry
15	** Einsteinium (atomic number 99) is a real element, but it only exists artificially (typically as fallout from nuclear weapons) and the longest-lived isotopes don't last more than two years.
16	** Gold is way too soft to be practical as a mining drill.
17	** Bronze is an alloy of tin and copper, and only occurs naturally in very rare circumstances.
18	* ArtisticLicenseGeology: Amazonite is a real mineral, being a variety of microcline (a feldspar) with lead impurities giving it a typical greenish-blue color. However, it is neither very rare nor valuable, and it isn't harder than diamond.
19	* ArtisticLicensePhysics: The highest capacity fuel tank is a "Liquid Compression Tank". Liquids are barely compressible in real life.
20	* ArtisticLicenseSpace: Mars doesn't have one big moon. It has two tiny ones.
21	* AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever: [[spoiler:Both forms of Mr. Natas.]]
22	* AwesomeButImpractical
23	** Flying mining machines!
24	** A super-fast drill made of ''gold''? [[ArtisticLicensePhysics Really?]]
25	* CallARabbitASmeerp: Downplayed. The game inexplicably insists on calling the first metals to be found (Iron, Bronze, Silver and Gold) as Ironium, Bronzium, Silverium and Goldium. The "-ium" suffix is derived from Latin, which added it to all their words for metals (Iron being Ferrum, Silver being Argentium and Gold being Aurum, with Bronze, an alloy, being Aes).
26	* CaneFu: [[spoiler:Mr. Natas does this in his first form.]]
27	* CollisionDamage: [[spoiler: Touching Mr. Natas will cause you to take damage. It also bounces you slightly and repeatedly, preventing you from setting off an explosive so you have to do so right before hitting him.]]
28	* ColonizedSolarSystem: Mars, obviously, and there's a friendly miner who mentions retiring to Jupiters' moons with his family.
29	* CriticalAnnoyance: When the fuel tank gets close to empty, it starts beeping. When it reaches critical levels, the beeps happen so rapidly it's more like one long high-pitched note.
30	* CriticalExistenceFailure: If you run out of fuel you violently explode. Why you do so when you're specifically out of fuel is not explained.
31	* DeflectorShield: The highest quality hull is an energy-shielded one.
32	* DevilButNoGod: [[spoiler:Played straight in the normal edition. In the Goldium edition, you can encounter [[{{God}} Mr. Dog]] if you fly high enough.]]
33	* DrillTank: [[spoiler:The drill can't damage the boss, ironically enough.]]
34	* DugTooDeep
35	* EvilIsHammy
36	-->[[spoiler:'''Mr. Natas''': HAHAHA!! YOU FOOL!!! SEE YOU IN HELL!!!]]
37	-->[[spoiler:'''Mr. Natas''': [[EvilLaugh MWAHAHAHA!]] Imbecile! You really think you can defeat me? [[CardCarryingVillain I am the master of all EVIL]]! BEHOLD MY TRUE FORM!!!]]
38	* FantasyMetals: Amazonite.
39	* FastTunnelling: 120 ft per second for the amazonite drill.
40	* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: [[spoiler:Other than the [[MeaningfulName name]], there is no clue.]]
41	* HoistByHisOwnPetard: [[spoiler:Mr. Natas' provision of repair nanobots and explosives eventually led to his defeat.]]
42	* InterfaceSpoiler: Inventory screen shows ore all the way up to [[{{Unobtainium}} Amazonium]].
43	* MoneyForNothing: On the first level of the game, by the time you start mining Amazonite, you can sell it for 500 000$, which is the price of the higher-tier upgrades. A single mining run can get you every upgrade. [[spoiler: Beating the final boss awards you an enormous amount of money, but at this point there's basically no point]].
44	* {{Nanomachines}}: Used as a one-time use item to repair hull damage without having to return to a shop.
45	* OneWingedAngel: [[spoiler:Mr. Natas' second form, which looks vaguely like a [[NinjaZombiePirateRobot giant mechanical demonic tiger]] standing on two feet.]]
46	* ReadingsAreOffTheScale: The meter starts to display as ?XXXXX with the Xs being random, rapidly flashing numbers after reaching -5800ft. [[spoiler:On the boss level, it reads -[[NumberOfTheBeast 66666]]ft.]]
47	* RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver: [[spoiler:Mr. Natas' true form. Heck, he wears red and black and has [[RedEyesTakeWarning RED EYES]] [[ObviouslyEvil in his human form!]]]]
48	* {{Retirony}}: The friendly veteran miner who is the only other worker left on Mars dies trapped underground after mentioning that he is a few days from retirement.
49	* SdrawkcabAlias: [[spoiler:[[{{Satan}} Mr. Natas]].]]
50	* SerialEscalation: There are 10 kinds of ores, from ironium ($30) to amazonite ('''$500,000''').
51	* SplashDamageAbuse: [[spoiler:Mr. Natas' first form's laser monocle attack and second form's claw attack can hit through the ceiling of the boss level.]]
52	* StealthPun: [[spoiler:The final boss is...[[ShapedLikeItself well, your boss.]]]]
53	* StuffBlowingUp: The dynamite and the more powerful plastic explosives. Around -1000 ft., rocks that cannot be dug into appear, and damaging lava pockets show up around -3000 ft. Both must be dealt with explosives ([[ArtisticLicensePhysics because the best way to get rid of lava is to blow it up]]). [[spoiler:Around -5000 ft., invisible natural gas pockets may blow everything up next to you like dynamite but also cause heavy damage, and the boss can only be defeated with explosives.]]
54	* TeleportationWithDrawbacks: Comes in two variants, both from purchasable one-use items that bring you back to the surface. The Quantum Teleporter is cheaper but can malfunction and violently shove you into the ground, potentially killing you. The Matter Transmitter is more expensive, but has a perfect safety record.
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56	!!Super Motherload Features the following tropes:
57	* AdamSmithHatesYourGuts: There are stations at various levels underground so you don't have to go all the way back up to refuel and repair, although they charge you more. Potentially justified in that transporting the fuel and spare parts must be a challenge.
58	* AllThereInTheManual: According to the backstory given in ''Super Motherload'', the games take place in a timeline where the Cold War never stopped, and the United States and the Soviet Union now compete to mine ore on Mars.
59	* AlternateHistory: Said to be set in a world where the Cold War ended differently.
60	* AsLongAsItSoundsForeign: A lot of people's names are meant to sound Russian, and even one who is an actual historic character: Laika, the first dog to travel to outer space. One of the non-historic characters has the name Wintrov, which isn't a possible Russian name since Russian doesn't have a W sound.
61	* BirdPeople: [[spoiler:If Abaddon is any example, this is what the ancient Martians were.]]
62	* LastSecondEndingChoice: [[spoiler:Do you side with Tiberius, or Abaddon?]]
63	* NotHisSled: [[spoiler:...unlike the original game, Satan isn't the BigBad. A space alien named Abaddon is.]]
64	* TitleDrop: Racking up a high enough combo will get you "Motherload".

Context VideoGame / Motherload